history of the music video - 1980s

Can you feel it - Jackson 5 (1980)

This music video hugely relies on special effects. The band are shown to be 'gods' or 'superheroes' throughout by walking on water like jesus and saving people. This almost makes it seem to the audience as though they are superhuman as they have a band and are famous. There are sound effects used over the top of the music which help to explain the narrative of the video but also take away from the main purpose of the video which is the music as it is sometimes hard to hear the music. Orange and yellow are the main colours used which are bright and clours which are usually associated with god and superhumans.

New Order - Blue Monday (1983)

 This video begins with fast cuts between different bright colours and special effects, the speed of the cuts fit in with the beat of the music. There are then cuts between many different things happening such as planes flying through the sky and soldiers walking through a field. It is hard to tell exactly what is happening as there are so many special effects making the colours so bright. However, this fits in with the music. There are cuts to a blue screen with different patterns in white throughout the video which add to the mysteriousness which may appeal to the audience and make them want to continue watching the video and listening to the music.

Love will tear us apart - Joy Division (1980)

 The video begins with a shaky camera shot going up the stairs, special effects are used to make it seem almost cartoon like. The repetition of the door opening is used which fits in with the music as that part is also repetitive. The door then appears to change colour to white and is no longer cartoon like. This then cuts to the band performing the song. The mise en scene used, the empty room they are performing in, adds to the effect and may appeal to the audience of this kind of music. The cartoon like special effect returns again later in the video which makes it more interesting keeping the audience entertained. There are cuts between long shots of the whole band, close ups of individual members of the band and extreme close ups of the band playing instruments. The colours used are mainly dark throughout which keeps the video quite simple and fits in with the slow and meaningful lyrics.