Pop promo style, forms/conventions and representation

there are many different styles to pop promos depending on the genre of music. each genre has its own style, forms, conventions and represents people and things differently. here are some examples.

Hip-Hop -
within this genre of music, representation is very obvious. many of the music videos show woman to be inferior and are merely used as a sex object. the women in these pop promos are generally wearing very skimpy outfits, dancing and being glared at by men. men are represented as superior to woman. they are made to be the centre of attention and made to look very important and powerful. they portray themselves as having every thing they want. money, cars and women are commonly seen in these types of videos. This gives the consumer the impression that if they act like this and aspire to be like this then they can have what they want just like the artist. A hip-hop music video is easily distinguished from others, they have a certain look and feel about them, they look classy and very expensive.

Rock/Indie

These types of music videos are generally less made up, dirty and grimey. In these videos they focus alot more on the artist's performing themselves rather than a narrative, although this is not always the case. The artist that performs seems to be doing for the music they are performing rather than for the publicity, although this will always play a big part in it. The artist are represented as anything they want. These artists are less worried about things like that. they are performers.

Classic

This type of music is very classy and enjoyed by people of upper and middle class. The artists within this genre are represented as well mannered individuals. They are dressed modestly but classy and the pop promo itself looks swanky and expensive.

History and uses of pop promos

History: The first sort of music video was produced in 1894 when Edward B. Marks and Joe Stern hired electrician George Thomas and various performers to promote sales of their song 'The Little Lost Child'. It contained a series of still images projected behind a live performance, this became known as the first music video. Since then as technology for film has developed so has the technology for music videos, bringing you the music videos you see everywhere today.

Uses: The uses of pop promos is pretty simple. They are used as a marketing device. The idea of them is to promote the band/artist and to promote the single that the video is showing. It also gets the image of the artist out there for people to see and enjoy. They then buy the single and the artist make money. The way in which the band/artist is represented in a pop promo is very important as this is the main way that the fans get to see them perform or act. They are also role models to millions of young people and in some cases older people. Therefore the way in which they act has to be sensible and responsible. Some bands/artists use there pop promos effectively and do this correctly.

Brief of coursework

I have been comissioned to produce a promotional package for the release of an album which has to include a music promo video for the album, an album cover for its release and a magazine advertisement.
I will have to work in a group no larger than four. Everyone in the group will have to contribute to the work load in a variety of roles. The music video will need to promote the image of the band and reflect the genre, pace and mood of the song.
I will need to consider and mention where the pop promo would sit within the tv and the website that the video would be distributed on. The three part package must be just that, a package, it must not be three seperate pieces of work.