Research and Planning - Busted Music Video

Another example of a successful music video is the song 'Year 3000' by Busted. I felt that it would be a good idea to analyse an existing video made by the artist I want to portray in my own project, so I could gain an understanding of the market they target as well as how they have used conventions in previous instances.

The video is full of typical conventions that are to be expected in music videos. For example, frequent close ups of each member are present, particularly near the end where mid shots show the group singing along separately. They are also shown as a complete band in two shots/wide shots; this allows the viewer to understand that the trio come as a package, adding to their appeal. It also helps an audience to see the way in which the band interact with each other, with their separate instruments and looks.

Intertextuality is represented in the music video too. The opening scene of one member, Matt, playing a video game such like 'Space Invaders' gives reference to this other media form. It works to add a sense of fun and entertainment from the beginning as well as establishing character and showing the interests of the band. This convention is also shown at another point in the song where lyrics say, "he told me he made a time machine, like one in a film I'd seen." The film in question is 'Back to the Future,' a family orientated sci-fi movie, and a car similar to the time machine seen in this motion picture is shown on screen. With both visual and audio supporting each other, the reference is clear to be seen and could hint at what the music video is working to achieve in the sense of the family appeal. At points, the video additionally takes on a cartoon style; this could be argued to be an instance of intertextuality with the music video taking on an aspect of another media form, typically used for print media and programmes aimed at children. This adds to the entertainment factor and makes it more surreal such like the topic matter itself of time travel.

There is a narrative told throughout the music video that follows the stages of the lyrics; this naturally sees the implementation of the convention of lyrics matching the shots of screen. For example, the line "boybands, and another one, and another one, and another one," matches a visual of a machine creating a series of boybands in a cartoon fashion. The band travel to the year 3000 and see themselves still making music in the future: "everybody bought our seventh album." They then sneak in and lock their older selves in their dressing room so they can perform in their place. The final section of the music video is then performance based with the band on stage in front of the futuristic audience. Portraying them in this performance based style to finish reminds the viewer that the band enjoy and concentrate on making music whilst playing their own instruments, adding credibility.

In conclusion, the music video 'Year 3000' seems to reflect the feel of the band in the way that it is fun, telling a story, with concentration on the group's interaction and musical instruments to add appeal. This impression is something that I would like to replicate in my own music video, with narrative a big concentration for the beginning at least and an easygoing nature, befitting for the musical style and band itself.