Research: Genre - Music Video. Sub-genre.

I have decided to use the video 'Birdy - Skinny Love' because of the fact that I personally like this song, and it is within the singer/songwriter genre, like our chosen music video.

Firstly I would like to start off with the fact that all singer/songwriter's are usually alone in the video, and playing their instrument. I do think this works best in the fact that all the attention is on the artist, lyrics, and video. Audiences like genres because of the fact that their expectations are fulfilled and they know what is coming. Certain conventions need to be obvious in the general consciousness of the audience.   Producers like to work within a genre because communication with an audience is instant as key  components are recognisable "stereotypes".

Using the conventions of Goodwin I do think there is a relationship between the lyrics and visuals in this music video, this is because Birdy seems extremely passionate in her lyrics and how she uses her facial expressions and gestures to express this by moving slowly and looking to the floor on certain lyrics. This music genre does seem to have its own video style of the artist being alone, and being on location, with low key lighting. This works within the conventions of the singer/songwriter genre.

Alone and on location.

There are many close ups of the artist, which keeps inside the conventions in the music video, which  think creates a personal level between the viewer and artist. The close ups are mainly of the face and other parts of the body, which I think makes it more interesting view instead of focusing on just one part of the body.

Close up of the vocalist. 

I personally think that singer/songwriters dont have any intertextual references because of the fact that they want the song and music video to promote themselves and for the lyrics to be one of the only thing people concentrate on. Especially in this music video Birdy doesn't use any intertextual references as the camera is mainly focused around her and she uses a simple narrative. This challenges the conventions of the music video and singer/songwriter genre. Also voyeurism challenges the conventions because of the fact that this music video is not something men would particularly want to watch, and Birdy is not a female that would be explicitly known to observe in a sexual way.

Birdy - Skinny Love.

Joanna.