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Indie music videos

This music video genre is the one we have decided to use in our music video.

Music video style: Abstract ideas with a clear narrative, sometimes including a performance aspect.
Mise-en-scene:  Different costumes give each artists their own identity, so costume varies, - a retro look is common in the indie genre.
Camera: Close up shots are used to help the audience recognise and remember the artist. The camera is rarely still, so many track and dollys are used to keep the pace of the video up, preventing it from becoming boring. If financially able, crane shots are used to show the artist from multiple angles, helping to keep them centre of attention. 
Location: Locations are usually cheap due to the low budgets are as the indie genre is only a small group of unsigned artists. A typical setting would be a park or city.
Props: In the performance part of the music video, the artist/band would be singing or playing an instrument for example the guitar or drums.
Do the videos below support or differ from the conventions of an indie genre music video?

The Black Keys-Everlasting Light

Video style: Narrative, no performance aspect

Mise-en-scene: Retro look

Camera: Mainly still shots

Location: Parks, houses

Props: Toys

The video above conforms to Andew Goodwins theory. It has:
  • Established and conformed to the indie genre
  • A contradictory relationship between music and visuals
  • Multiple close ups of the artists throughout the video
 

Arcade Fire-The Suburbs

Video style: Narrative, no performance

Mise-en-scene: Urban American style

Camera: Track and dolly, rarely still shots

Location: The city, houses, roads

Props: Bikes (cheap), army vehicles

The video above conforms to Andrew Goodwins theory. It has:
  • Established and conformed to the indie genre
  • A relationship between music and visuals, amplifying the storyline
  • A relationship between the visuals and lyrics
  • Intertextuality 

The Kooks-Naive

Video style: Narrative, no performance

Mise-en-scene: Costume relevant to artist

Camera: Continuous moving camera

Location: Hired out whole venue

Props: Not many, actors/dancers hired

The video above conforms to Andrew Goodwins theory. It  has:
  • A relationship between the music and visuals, amplifying the storyline
  • Constant close ups of the artist so the audience recognise it is the music video to their song.

Foster the People-Pumped Up Kicks

Video style: Narrative with performance

Mise-en-scene: Plain retro style

Camera: Constantly moving

Location: Beach, home studio

Props: Guitars, piano

This video is a perfect example of an indie genre music video as it supports every convention of the genre.
The video above conforms to Andrew Goodwins theory. It has:
  • Established and conformed to the indie genre
  • A weak but present relationship between the music and visuals, and also the lyrics and visuals
  • A significant focus on the band members

Play the video below to see more research on the indie genre.

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