Stereotypically, a soul/R&B music video contains a narrative and/or performance that circles around the basis of complimenting their vocals through scenes of singing through a microphone and having a very raw and thought-provoking piece of narrative that amplifies the music and its lyrics (meaning less flash and skin and more classy and emotional). This means a lot of close ups, medium shots, wide shots and panning/tilt shots that help allow the artist to appeal to the audience's emotions for the song by feeling empathy or some other emotions for the artist.
An example of a good panning shot is in Whitney Houston's the Greatest Love of All music video where she is shown as a strong figure stood in the middle of the stage, the panning shot does a 240 degree shot around the back of the artist, which shows the view of the audience seating and lighting that highlight her body as an empowering figure, and then stops when facing her directly. Additionally, this is part of her narrative which is portraying the good place she is in now (emphasising her empowerment as an artist and a person) and keeps her looking active throughout the shots. Additionally, wide shots are used often to show her body posture and the majority of her surroundings to really show her passion for the song and its lyrics (showing they have meaning to her) and that she, as the important figure, stands out from the crowd of people rushing around about her.
An example of a good use for close up shots is in Adele's Someone Like You music video where she is shown walking as she sings the lyrics in a bittersweet manner, but close ups become relevant when she sings significant parts of the song that probably mean something more to her e.g. "Never mind, I'll find someone like you" and having this shot so close allows the audience to focus completely on her voice and her facial expressions as she sings. Plus, the whole music video is made up of a narrative that is quite passive although she is walking but it is repetitive and too simplistic to keep interesting so the song becomes the only focus of the video that holds the power to keep the audience entertained.
The uses of these shots help produce ideas for the scenes I can create and help envision how the narrative can flow whilst all being very doable as well. Additionally, each video has been done differently so it allows me to be open-minded with how I film my own piece.
Editing Style
Editing styles in soul/R&B music vary depending on the rhythm of the song and how it can compliment the lyrics and the emotions. The choice of editing can change the way the audience see and feel about the song, the lyrics, what they see, etc. so it has a lot of significance when deciding upon it. However, continuity editing and fading cuts between shots are most common as they usually match the tone of the song.
Looking at Whitney Houston's the Greatest Love of All music video, the director chose to use fading cuts between shots when the artist isn't singing and when the location changes which plays well with the song's melody and its emotionally affect on the singer herself. Additionally, the takes between cuts are longer than usual as the focus of the video is the artist and her voice, making the artist's face clear as she sings in most shots so that the audience capture her pride and passion as she sings. This is complimentary to the music and its narrative and gives the song its time to shine as she belts out the lyrics. Additionally, it puts focus onto the way she is dressed (all black in a jacket and long skirt with boots - all white in a long sparkly dress with high heels and jewellery) which is significant to conforming to the genre characteristics, not hinting anything sexual and allowing her to put her vocals instead of her body into the spotlight.
Looking at Adele's Someone Like You music video, the director chose to use continuity editing to film most of the piece which plays with the song very well as the song's soft and gentle melody wouldn't match with cuts and flashes between different shots. This is complimentary to the music, the video's narrative and also gives the opportunity to allow the artist to portray her emotions in the video, the use of black and white instead of colour creating a clear cut understanding that the focus is on her and only her, dressing her in clothing that stands out in the colourless frame and having the location cut off from the public.
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