Study Task 5

In this study task, we were required to write an introduction for our written part of our research topic.




I approached this by asking myself various questions:

What am I looking at?

• Animated music videos, and how audio and visuals syngergise for maximum impact.

• "What do I mean by 'maximum impact'?" - How accompanied animation can enhance a music experience by creating interesting and compelling visuals to evoke more emotion from a piece of music, and thus make it more enjoyable than simply listening to the song

• "Why animation? Why not live action? Is there a difference?" - I will be exploring the differences in appeal between live action and animated music videos. I propose that animation is more effective because there is more freedom of expression.

How and Where will I look?

• Social Media: I will be looking through Youtube, Twitter and other social media platforms to observe the different reactions to animated music videos. I will look at freelance artists who have been commissioned to create animated music videos and note down how they created their projects.

• Articles: I will read various articles in order to research the origins of animated music videos and how significant these early stages of animated music videos are. I will note their effect on animation on music videos as a whole. I will also triangulate these articles in order to make my own conclusions on how animated music videos become iconic.

• Interviews & Podcasts: I will listen to podcasts and interviews of different music groups in hopes to understand their reasoning behind using animation to accompany their songs.

What am I aiming to find?

• I aim to find whether animation is significantly more effective at synergising with music for maximum impact than using live action or no video at all. I also aim to find how animated music videos become so popular and why more bands and music groups are using the format.

What have I found so far?

• Origins of animated music videos: I have discovered what many consider to be the first animated music video; Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Accidents will happen. I have read a source that explains what the song is about and how the animation accompanies it.

• Commissions: Many music groups commission animators to animate many music videos for their songs. Many examples of this include Caravan Palace and SIAMÉS.

• Narrative: Music groups like Gorillaz use animations in their songs to tell a narrative of the virtual band. I have read sources of the origins of their expanding universe and how it's had a tremendous effect on the music genre as a whole.

• Sending a message: Some bands such as Linkin Park, Pearl Jam and Freak Kitchen use animations to further emphasise the message their songs send. Notable examples include Freak of the Week, Breaking the Habit and Do the Evolution.

My Predictions:

• Using a questionnaire and generally studying the reactions to different comparisons of animated music videos and live action / no music videos, I predict that people will find animated music videos more appealing and interesting than just listening to music or watching live action music videos. 

Practical Outcome?

• An analysis video to voice my findings and opinions.

• A short animation to illustrate my points.