Document51

How does The Music Video ‘Judith’ by Perfect Circle use media language to display conventions of a specific genre?

The music video ‘Judith’ by perfect circle uses stereotypical genre conventions to make their music video recognisable to their target audience/fan base. It uses a variety of shot types and angles to showcase the band while still making them appear mysterious to the audience as well as sticking to the conventions of the music genre.

‘Judith’ by perfect circle is an alternative rock band that conforms to the stereotypical conventions of the alternative rock genre whilst also challenging the typical views of the genre by using different camera angles and shots as well as mise en scene. An example of the band challenging the old fashioned views of the genre is exhibited by including a female in the band which is comprehensively displayed in one of the camera shots that they use. In this shot, the female band member is exhibited to be hyper feminized through the use of the slight low angle camera shot that parades her shoes to show that females aren’t oppressed in this video which challenges the typical views of the alternative rock genre. But this is now becoming more of a regular occurrence within alternative rock whilst the archaic views are slowly being challenged more and changed. In this video the female band member is also shown to be rather feminine compared to the other band members by having long hair which is carefully shown with a bird’s eye view shot of her tying her up. This emphasizes how the females aren’t oppressed but it does display how she is the minority in the music video which is gradually being challenged by other bands having females be the lead singer/guitarist and the focus being primarily on them in the videos.

In alternative rock there are a variety of camera angles used but the main one is close ups which display the band members to the audience but also help to sell the bands/singers music as well as attaining fans attention and loyalty. In alternative music videos they also use long shots to fully display the band members to the audience but it also emphasizes how the band isn't oppressing a single gender. By using a mixture of long and wide shots it conforms to the genre conventions of alternative rock and it shares similar conventions as alternative rock did a few years ago but by using these conventions they are shared in most alternative rock music videos as it appeals to the audience and it is also something that they expect from an alternative rock music video.

Another convention of alternative rock music videos is the type of lighting that is used whether it be diegetic or non diegetic lighting. In 'Judith' by A perfect Circle the lighting is fairly dark and mostly non diegetic as you cant see the source of the lighting. This is a typical convention of alternative rock music videos as it helps to create a slightly grungy background but it also makes it harder for the audience to see the band members which means they stay slightly mysterious/anonymous which could appeal to the

audience and make them want to carry on watching and listening to the band as it is something they expect. Also by using this type of lighting and only having slight glimpses of light it makes the video appear less glossy unlike a mainstream pop music video such as The Rocket Summer who have a much glossier look due to the lighting and attempt to be punk rock with their choice of mise en scene and their genre conventions. Throughout the 4:07 music video the lighting remains constant with some backlight used so that the band members aren't in complete darkness also so it is marketable.

Lastly, a convention of alternative rock is the type of location/s that are featured in the music videos like in 'Judith' the only location is this desolate warehouse that seems to be abandoned henceforth why the lighting isn't really present throughout the video. This appears to be a mainstream convention of the alternative rock genre that in most music videos is featured or similar locations. The location in this 4:07 music video stays the same the whole time which could be because they know the location is something that is expected in the genre.

This shows that throughout the alternative rock genre the conventions can be challenged but most of the time they are conformed to as it is something the audience expects and makes it easier to market it to a direct fan base.