Music Video Questionnaire

By Drew Middleton

Question 1: What do you use most to view music videos? (Tick one, give one example)

Music Channels (Please state exact examples) ………………………………………………….

Online (Please state exact examples)

………………………………………………….

Others (Please state exact examples) ………………………………………………….

Question 2: What do you like to see in a music video? (Tick One)

Live footage of artist/ band

Storyline

Random clips linked to the artists/lyrics

Dancing/Posing

(Please state exact examples) …………………………………………………………..

Question 3: Do you prefer a music video which is…

Funny/Light-hearted

Serious/Thought Provoking

Question 4: Do you prefer abstract videos or ones that go with the lyrics?

Abstract

Links with lyrics

Question 5: Do you prefer music videos that include special effects/animations etc?

Yes

No

Why? ……………………………………………………………………..

Question 6: Are there any themes or colours that you would like to see in a music video?

Bright Themes/Colours

Dark Themes/Colours

Mixed Themes/Colours

Question 7: What media technique used in a music video do you believe is the most

attractive/enjoyable aspect when viewing? Rank 1 to 5 (1 being most, 5 being least)

Settings

Fashion/Clothing

Lighting

Camera Work

Sound

Question 8: What positive/negative representations, if any, what you liked to see portrayed in a music video? (Tick one box, on

each line)

Positive Quite Positive Both Quite Negative Negative

Gender

Age

Ethnicity

Disability

Question 9: What emotions do you like to see presented in a music video?

Happiness

Sadness

Anger

(Other exact examples, please state) …………………………………………………………………….

Question 10: Name 1-2 examples of popular music videos you have remembered/enjoyed?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Question 1 Findings/Conclusions11

8

1

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Music Channels Online Others

Answers

Num

ber

of Peo

ple

- Music Channel examples; ‘Kiss’, ‘MTV’, ‘MTV Bass’, ‘MTV Rocks’, ‘Box’, ‘4Music’, ‘Kerrang’, ‘Viva’, ‘Base’, ‘G Music’.

- Online examples; ‘Youtube’, ‘Virgin Media’

- Other examples; ‘PS3 Vidzone’

Conclusion: It is clear that music videos are viewed both on television (music channels) and via the internet (online). Music Channels emerged as the most popular (11 people), however it was not a clear favourite, with Online methods of viewing also being a significant preference (8 people). A definite reason for these results, almost predictable, is the accessibility of both forms of media. It is a general fact that most households will own either a television or computer/laptop with internet access, therefore music videos have proliferated to various audiences, who have a choice of how/when they watch them (active audience). Our music video will then be intended for a mass audience, as we may use –in a professional situation – music channels/online services to distribute our video.

Question 2 Findings/Conclusions

- Other examples; strangeness, a narrative

Conclusions: From the above graph, the answers from participants have presented an evenly spread diagram; with all choices showing popular results. Storyline appears to be a recurring first choice, with people exclaiming ‘a narrative’ for their exact examples. ‘Random clips…’ and ‘dancing/posing’ followed the storyline (with 5 people), whereas ‘live footage’ was preferred by 4 people – the least favourite. These results suggest that it is certainly necessary to have a narrative, whether consistent or temporary, running throughout our music video. However, considering the next two popular aspects, our audience may enjoy to see characters in the music video dancing and posing, or they may want to view random clips linked to the artist/band. Further thought on the matter conveys the importance of the song we choose; in some cases, a narrative may be hard to achieve etc.

4

655

01234567

Live Footage of

Artist/Band

Storyline Random Clips

linked to

Artist/Band

Dancing/Posing

Answers

Num

ber

of Peo

ple

Question 3 Findings/Conclusions

13

7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Funny/Lighthearted Serious/Thought Provoking

Answers

Num

ber

of Peo

ple

Conclusion: As you can see, a funny/light hearted perspective on music – presented through the video – is very popular; with 13 people choosing the more comical, laid back position of viewing. On the other hand, people also enjoy a serious, thought provoking video (as the choices were not one-sided). This element of thought could be used to our groups advantage, allowing us to adopt a humorous tone that requires a certain level of deliberation and examination from the audience – this is only a possibility. Furthermore, it would probably be in our best interest to fixate on developing a comedic and open narrative, acknowledging the audience and creating easy viewing.

Question 4 Findings/Conclusions

9

11

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Abstract Links with lyrics

Answers

Num

ber

of Peo

ple

Conclusion: Both of these options have been popular with our intended audience, with only 2 people separating the top choice (11 people for ‘links with lyrics’ compared to 9 people for ‘abstract’). It could be a wise decision to link our narrative, setting, properties, camera work etc. to the lyrics and the words/phrases in which the song conveys. Nonetheless, the song we choose for our music video can not be the only determining factor; it would not be fitting to base all media techniques that we put into place, purely on the song (and its lyrics). Therefore, a mixture of abstract video techniques and a link between camera work etc. and lyrics should be achieved; specifically through editing shots and sound together into one final product.

Question 5 Findings/Conclusions

9

11

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Yes No

Answers

Num

ber

of Peo

ple

- Other examples; more thought provoking, to add interest, a bit of both.

Conclusion: When asked about the subject of special effects/animation, people were once again split minded; with 9 people choosing ‘yes’, and 11’no’ for their top preference. Therefore it is not an essential aspect to consider, yet our group’s personal choice. To enable the use of effects and animation, and to input these techniques into our music video, our group will need a collective list of skills for us to do so. For example, creativity and technical ability (with the use of animation programs etc.) should be a necessity before undergoing this task. Furthermore, it may be possible to use a more simplistic program, such as ‘iMovie’, to compose such effects to our advantage. If we intend to adopt these techniques, they are likely to be presented in the form of transitions or collaborated with camera work – both achieved through post editing.

Question 6 Findings/Conclusions

Conclusion: From this graph, our group is able to justify the important aspects of our music video; the ones which are of high/low importance and the ones in which we should decide to implement (lowest bar/rank, highest preference). The least attractive or enjoyable technique used is lighting –with 82 marks – which suggests its loss of significance in our final product. However, lighting will need to be consider, as all camera work is shot under a specific lighting set-up e.g. naturalistic, low key, high key. Camera work (52), settings (55) and sound (59) are generally taking into account when watching a music video; all these techniques should be monitored and administered, with care and with a professional outlook if our video is to be successful, attractive and enjoyable to our audience. The audience is priority. If they do not feel captivated by a media product such as this, boredom and dislike will follow, alongside low attention and a loss of enjoyment. A mixture of all media techniques is a necessity under both production and distribution circumstances of our music video.

55

67

82

52

59

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Settings Fashion/Clothing Lighting Camera Work Sound

Answers

Num

ber R

ank

Question 7 Findings/ConclusionsGender

56

9

0 00

2

4

6

8

10

Positive Quite Positive Both Quite

Negative

Negative

Answers

Num

ber of

Peo

ple

Age

5

78

0 00

2

4

6

8

10

Positve Quite Positive Both Quite Negative Negative

Answers

Num

ber of

Peo

ple

Ethnicity

4

6

10

0 00

2

4

6

8

10

12

Postive Quite Positive Both Quite Negative Negative

Answers

Num

ber of

Peo

ple

Disability

3

5

11

10

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Positive Quite Positive Both Quite Negative Negative

AnswersN

um

ber of

Peo

ple

Conclusion: From these 4 graphs it is certainly clear that people do not want to see fixed ‘negative’ or ‘quite negative (one person)’ representations of gender, age, ethnicity and disability. Most people would like to see both positive and negative portrayals, possibly as it presents an image of real life – nothing is ever perfect, everyone is different. Therefore, our music video should try to obtain and refer to mixed representations. Our group will take note of this in the planning phase of our coursework, ensuring that our choice of setting, song, camera work etc. will create an equal and unrestricted view of sex, race, age and disabilities.

Question 8 Findings/Conclusions

7

3

10

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Bright Themes/Colours Dark Themes/Colours Mixed Themes/Colours

Answers

Num

ber of

Peo

ple

Conclusion: Generally, the results show that ‘mixed themes/colours’ was preferred by 10 people (the most popular), followed closely by ‘bright themes/colours’ (7people). It is evidently clear that pure ‘dark themes/colours’ are not favoured, therefore our group will consider to adopt mixed or bright themes/colours. This may also relate to the song and/or its lyrics. There is tendency for a running theme, or narrative, throughout the music video; our choice of colours should revolve around this concept. It may also be chosen according to the genre; a pop song will tend to be vibrant, bright and colourful, whereas a rock and indie song will feature more low key lighting.

Question 9 Findings/Conclusions11

1

4 4

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Happiness Sadness Anger Other

Answers

Num

ber of

Peo

ple

- Other exact examples; ‘funny’, ‘love’, ‘epiphany’, ‘competitiveness’

Conclusion: For this question, ‘happiness’ is the most important emotion to convey (11 out of 20 people – more than half). To state an immediate conclusion, our group should intend to emphasis a happy notion/feeling, through our video and presented to our audience. On the other hand, it also very clear that ‘sadness’ is not preferred by many people; therefore, to take a general view on the topic, our group should avoid negative emotions (sadness, anger, frustration etc.) and develop/elaborate on positive feelings and emotions. We should consider using a mixture of media technique to portray this to our intended audience. For example, we could use camera work (such as distances, movement and angles) to create a positive, bubbly atmosphere; or we may ensure that our editing keeps the emotion consistent.

Question 10 Findings/Conclusions

Within are the results of the tenth question, specific examples of music videos that people have enjoyed and remembered watching.

• ‘Kanye West – Good Life’…‘Calvin Harris – Ready for the Weekend’…‘Lady GaGa – Telephone’…‘Professor Green – I need you tonight’…‘Jay Z – D.O.A.’…‘The Wanted – All time low’… ‘Example – Kickstarts’…‘Pixie Lott – Turn it up’…‘Eminem – Beautiful’…‘Rihanna – Rudeboy’…‘Plan B – She said’…‘Plan B – Prayin’…‘Kardinal Offishall – Put your hands on me’…‘Wiley – Wearing my Rolex’…‘Michael Jackson – Thriller’…‘Wiley – Never be your women’…‘Gorillaz – Stylo’…‘Chris Brown – Transformer’… ‘Kid Cudi – Day and Nite’…‘Katy Perry – California Gurrls’…‘Missy Elliott – Freak on’…‘Two Door Cinema Club – Something good can work’…‘Beyonce – Single ladies’…‘Aerosmith – Cryin and Crazy’…‘Eminem – Without me’