Music Video techniques

[lhallam]

I was just watching a youtube of Jimi from a TV broadcast and noticed that they actually kept the camera on him for a full 30 seconds or more.

Ever since MTV these a-hole directors do no more than 2 second shots before cutting away.

For example, I was watching that Madonna episode of Glee (first time) the other night and the cuts drove me so crazy I have to turn it off.

I'm pretty sure this is a generational thing, that it doesn't bother the younger guys but it drives me nuts. Like people don't have the attention span of 2 seconds.

I'd be interested in hearing what the older and younger guys think.

[A-Bone]

This whole style of cutting (often incorporating jump cuts and absurdly fast montage) is referred to as "MTV-style editing." This is not a coincidence, because, while it is not true that MTV invented the style or techniques (they are longstanding tropes of cinema, especially experimental filmmaking), it is indeed the case that it was through the medium of the short form music video that this style became common.

As with all film techniques, there are ways to use these effectively and meaningfully, and as with all film techniques, these have become the exception rather than the rule compared to the frequency with which these techniques are employed.

One of the things that I have noticed is that it is often used as a substitute for effectively capturing choreography. Too often now in musical performances on film and television, the quick cutting seems to be there to make dance performances appear more interesting than they would be with a continuous shot. I assume this is because there are precious few filmmakers with any experience with dance and musicals (unlike in the 30s, 40s, and 50s), so they use their cutting skills to conceal their lack of understanding of dance, combined with precious few choreographers that appreciate how to make a dance/musical performance interesting on camera.

[Polynitro]

yes old people have hated MTV since 1982 thats nothing new.

[A-Bone]

Originally Posted by Polynitro

yes old people have hated MTV since 1982 thats nothing new.

This is also true. I am not yet 40, and was a devoted consumer of MTV from 1985 till I was a bit outside of their demographic (and they quit playing music). Did not hate them, but I think that the music video effect on traditional filmmaking was not a positive thing stylistically.

[Polynitro]

Originally Posted by A-Bone

This is also true. I am not yet 40, and was a devoted consumer of MTV from 1985 till I was a bit outside of their demographic (and they quit playing music). Did not hate them, but I think that the music video effect on traditional filmmaking was not a positive thing stylistically.

A friend of mine won a moon man for doing the special effects on a smashing pumpkins video (tonite, tonite)and hes around 40. Im the opposite I cant stand watching Woodstock because of the goofy camera work, or The Song Remains the same Robert Plant crotch shots.

Thats true about long shots making performances look odd, the Rolling Stones need quick cut aways

Defnitely a generational thing I guess

[lhallam]

Originally Posted by Polynitro

A friend of mine won a moon man for doing the special effects on a smashing pumpkins video (tonite, tonite)and hes around 40. Im the opposite I cant stand watching Woodstock because of the goofy camera work, or The Song Remains the same Robert Plant crotch shots.

Thats true about long shots making performances look odd, the Rolling Stones need quick cut aways

Defnitely a generational thing I guess

I definitely agree some of the "psychedelic" editting from the 60-70's is stupid and distracting. The in-out focus wobble or the transparent light show projected on the performers. Way too indulgent.

Here's the Henridx vid I was referring to. The slow tight shot from the wide shot, the pacing, angles, there are some technical things (lighting, wobbling) that could be improved but you get the idea.

[Polynitro]

Originally Posted by lhallam

I definitely agree some of the "psychedelic" editting from the 60-70's is stupid and distracting. The in-out focus wobble or the transparent light show projected on the performers. Way too indulgent.

Here's the Henridx vid I was referring to. The slow tight shot from the wide shot, the pacing, angles, there are some technical things (lighting, wobbling) that could be improved but you get the idea.

yeah thats a cool video. They probably only had 1 camera, its like noir movies looked crappy low/budget because they were.

Funny, that the MTV style includes no use of a tripod/shaky cameras just like this Jimi video