“A study on the post production of alternative music videos: looking at the use of computer generated special effect“

Abstract

Music videos engage creation of new concepts that symbolize songs’ lyrics and messages, as well as experimentation with innovative cinematic techniques. In addition, the message of the artist can be portrayed and visualized through the usage of traditional cinematography and special effects. The use of special effects in music videos has increased with the widespread availability of powerful computers and the rise of popularity of a diverse range of modern genres such as alternative rock, experimental rock, nu metal, djent, and “core” genres that have sought to incorporate them. Digital effects have become a remarkable new art that involves translation and interpretation of lyrics and melody of a song in a visual format. This study reviews the evolution of computer special effects during music video post-production. The dissertation covers how visual effects have been used since their brief introduction back in the 70s in motion pictures, to their rise in popularity in the 80s, 90s and 2000s in music videos. The research highlights how visual effects are used to create visually stunning new worlds within each video, and how they can enhance each song’s message and lyrics, along with extensive details about how effects have been used in alternative rock.