History of Music Videos (Conventions of Media)

Music Videos can also be referred to as promotion videos or promos for short because they are primarily used as promotional devices. Music Videos are short films that accompany a song. It is arguable that music videos have been around as early as the 1920s however the films were animated and the musical scores were labelled as 'visual music'. The first ever music promos were filmed in the 1950s with more affluence people could afford televisions. The rise of popular music was tied with the rise of television as the format exposed new stars. 1964 saw a huge stepping stone for music videos as The Beatles set the stage for the modern music video with the film "Hard Days Night." Following up a year later the Beatles release 10 films which are used to promote alum releases which inevitably kicks off video promotion.

   

By 1981, music video took a leap forward with the introduction of MTV which provided 24 hour broadcasting of music videos therefore they began to play a more central role in music marketing by the mid 1980s. in 1983 Michael Jackson would release his most successful and influential video of all time- Thriller. To widen demographics Channels like VH1 which played softer music and Yo! MTV Raps which played Hip Hop music.

Careers as music video directors began to launch in 1992 as they were now listed in the credits. There are now many music video directors.the most expensive music video to this day was made in 1995 which cost 7 million called Scream by Michael Jackson.

In 2005 You Tube and Itunes were created which links music videos with the internet allowing people to watch videos online, new artists would now see popularity rise through internet an can be downloaded. As a result of this music videos have been able to viewed on a massive scale with artists such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga reaching over a billion views on their music videos collectively which means that more and more people are now able to access music videos and inevitably means more promotion for the artist.

   
Lady Gaga reached one billion views in 2010 thanks to You Tube.