Video before 2000- Media Language

Video before 2000- Media Language

Video before 2000 - Media Language

Characteristics and Features

  • Media language is essentially the code by which the meaning is created and communicated. In the context of music videos, this could include the use of visuals, sound, editing, style, narrative and iconography.
  • More often, music videos reflect the lyrics and themes of the associated track. However, sometimes they can differ, providing an alternative interpretation or perspective.
  • The use of performance, narrative and conceptual frameworks help structure many pre-2000 music videos. The performance framework features the artist or band performing the song, often addressing the camera directly.

Influences on Design and Aesthetic

  • The pre-2000 era saw a variety of aesthetic influences coming to bear on the design and style of music videos. These drew from film, television, art, graphic design, and other popular culture.
  • Directors played with different genres such as film noir, sci-fi, western, and many more, borrowing aesthetic and stylistic elements from cinema to enhance the visual experience.
  • A significant number of videos also leaned heavily on animation and graphic design, with artists like Peter Gabriel and A-Ha being popular examples.
  • Some common techniques during this time include the use of symbolism, juxtaposition, and metaphors to add layers of meaning and interpretation to videos.
  • Intertextuality, the practice of referencing other texts including films, books, arts, or even other music videos, is a fundamental part of the language of many music videos.
  • The creative use of editing was a common feature in videos before 2000, with techniques such as rapid cuts, montage, cross-cutting, and others to create rhythm and to drive narrative or thematic points.

Case Studies

  • Notable music videos of this period like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer”, and Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” are excellent examples of the above characteristics and serve as benchmarks of the media language utilized in pre-2000 music videos.
  • “Thriller” is known for its narrative framework, cinematic style, and special effects. Likewise, “Sledgehammer” is famous for its use of stop motion, while “Like A Prayer” was notable for its controversial use of religious and racial symbolism.

By studying and understanding the media language used in videos before 2000, one can gain insight into the evolution of music videos and their impact on popular culture.