Redundancy and Entropy

Redundancy in music videos is when the features are very predictable and follows conventions. For example in almost all Pop videos there will be shots of the artist performing, this is used so often it is redundant and gives the viewer no new information and doesn't build on the message of the video. Redundant elements are often necessary though, for things to make sense.


When features are entropic they break from these conventions, they are unpredictable. The best videos normally have a mix of redundant and entropic elements, so that the video is understandable and interesting. 


Slow Club - 'Because We Are Dead'

This video takes the redundant Pop video format and twists it, personalising it with their own quirky elements. The video includes a dance routine and has many close ups of the singers performing. The narrative of the video is very simple, the pair are throwing a party for their group of friends, and often used in music videos. However this video style is a disjuncture as it has little relationship to the lyrics and the narrative of the song.

The shots of the band are close ups, their faces surrounded by green material, this focusses in on them singing, but isn't a technique used often. The 'dance routine' is subverted, done entirely whilst sitting, with expressionless faces and jump cuts so that new 'dancers' appear and their clothing changes. In much of the video the camera is still and the takes are very long, unusual for music videos, which are often faster paced and filmed in a more exciting, cinematic way. The set is just a room in a pub, rather than an expensive studio set. Also the party that is being held looks more like a children's birthday party than the drunken escapades usually shown in pop culture, being served are cupcakes and carrot sticks. To add to the effect many of the guests are eccentrically dressed, most wear labels saying Rebecca and the party ends with a paper aeroplane competition.


This video takes a lot of the redundant features of music videos and pop culture and then inverts them. Rather than following convention the band shows a different side of youth, going against media cliches. This suits their independent audience who are proud to be outside of the mainstream. 


The Subways - We Don't Need Money To Have A Good Time

Although The Subways are an alternative band their video is quite redundant and unimaginative, following many of the conventions of a rock video. A large proportion of the video is performance, with lots of close ups on the instruments and the lead singer, almost all videos have these shots and when used too much they become uninteresting. Another common feature of rock videos are scenes of partying and messing around, this is what the rest of this video is made up of. Although the general theme of the song is "having a good time" the video is very predictable and has no narrative, the visuals add little to the meaning of the song. Some of the activities performed are 

quite unusual, such as making a 'head sandwich', though there are also things that are less inventive; jumping into pools, bursting balloons etc.

This is a typical representation of young adults, messing around and having fun with few responsibilities. Also the fact that they have a low income and so little money to spend. The band did choose unconventional places in which to record the performance parts of the video, on the beach, cliffs, in fields and on rooftops, more often rock performance is filmed in a studio or at a concert.

The video is filmed mostly in a traditional way, with fast editing to the music, short takes and lost of camera movement, however there are some shots which are more original. At times during the performance we can see from a band members point of view, looking down at them playing their instrument as if we can see it through their eyes. There are also some shots that have been recorded on a cheap handheld camera, or edited to look like it, so that it feels as if you are their watching and recording it yourself. These are interesting techniques and gives the viewer another perspective, immersing them in the video.