What is Lip-Syncing and why is it important

Lip-syncing is a technical term for matching lip movements with sung or spoken vocals. The term can refer to any of a number of different techniques and processes, in the context of live performances and recordings. It is often part of the post-production phase.

During the production of a music video the film track and music track are recorded separately as a result to this artists usually lip-synch to their songs this may allow for better quality audio in the video but it will also rule out the need for microphones which could ruin the visual experience.

Artists often lip-synch during strenuous dance numbers in both live and recorded performances, due to lung capacity being needed for physical activity. Using lip-syncing here will allow for a better on-screen performance as the artist will not have as many things to focus on. It also makes life much easier for the artist as it will be easier for them to manage their breathing.

The history of music videos.

1929 - The first music video, 'Saint Louis Blues' by Bessie Smith, was made. It was shown in theatres until 1932.

1940 - Walt Disney released Fantasia, an animation to classical music, most noticeably 'The Sorcerers Apprentice'.

1950 - Cad Calloway performed 'Minnie the Moocher' to a camera in front of a live audience.

1960 - The introduction of Scopotone Jukeboxes, which started in France.

1 January 1964 - Top of the pops broadcasts for the 1st time.

1964 - The Beatles released 'Hard Days Night', it was recognized as defining work in the development of modern music videos.

1966 - Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues music video was created.

1967 - The Beatles released 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and 'Penny Lane.

1975 - Queen released Bohemian Rhapsody. It was recognised as the first modern music video.

1981 - MTV is launched and the first music video which is played was Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Store.

1982 - Queen's Body Language becomes the 1st music video to be banned by MTV.

1983 - Michael Jackson became the first artist to release a music video as a short film, Thriller, it took music videos to a whole new level costing $500,000 to make.

1985 - VH1 is launched, playing softer music for an older demographic.

1986 - The Chart Show is launched on Channel 4, it moved to ITV in 1989 before launching as its own TV channel in 2002.

1986 - Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer uses special effects and animation techniques and wins 9 MTV Music Awards.

1989 - MTV renames its Video Vanguard Award to the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award in honour of Michael Jacksons contribution to the art of music video.

1989 - Madonna's controversial video for Like a Prayer is released.

1992 - MTV starts to credit music video directors

1996 - M2 is launched as a 24 hour music video as MTV begins to replace music videos with other content.

1999 - M2 is renamed to MTV2.

2005 - YouTube is launched providing easier access to music videos.

Why is lip-syncing important?

Lip-syncing is when an actor or singer moves their lips silently in synchronization with a pre-recorded soundtrack. It is used more often than not in the production of music videos but sometimes it is also used, "controversially", in live performances.

It is used to give a more polished effect in the music video as it makes the audio sound smother as it has been pre-recorded. It also is used to reduce the risk of background noise in the soundtrack as all audio that is picked up on set isn't used in the video itself.

It is also used for visual improvements. This is because if an artist is not singing then there is no need for them to wear a microphone pack. Furthermore it is also used so that a dance routine can be performed without the artist having to focus so hard on their breathing, as a result this creates a better spectacle.

Analysis of magazine adverts

Intitial ideas on our music video

Student music video analysis - Better Together

Student music video – Better Together
Mise-en-scene	There is a variey of moving shots and still images in this music video. The still images start 45 seconds in and end 62 seconds in and are shown as a slide show of the 2 gnomes who have travelled all over the world together.
Sound	The song is playing throughout the music video from start to finish.
Camera Angles	A variety of camera angles ranging from extreme close-ups to extreme long shots (not quite establishing shots). The majority of shots used when both gnomes are on screen are long shots. Whereas when just the male gnome is on screen the camera angles used are primarily mid shots.
Editing	Crossfades and Stop motion editing are use to emphasise the passing of time. A blue/greyish colour filters are used to show how the male gnome’s world is dull and grey when the female gnome is not around. Black and white tones are used to show flashbacks where the male gnome is reflecting on past times he has spent with the female gnome.
Narrative	The narrative of this music video is a love story between 2 gnomes.
Titling	There are no titles used in this video.

Student music video analysis – Come Together cover

Student music video – Come Together cover
Mise-en-scene	There are several situations in this video where the band are copying an action from a famous photograph or image of The Beatles
Sound	The song is playing throughout the music video from start to finish. The song itself is a cover of Come Together by The Beatles. However this group has used original sound.
Camera Angles	There is a variety of camera angles used ranging all of the way from extreme close-ups to extreme long shots (not quite establishing shots).
Editing	There is the use of cut through black for every cut between shots in the first 15 seconds of the video. When the split screens are in progress there is a frequent use of the wipe transition when bringing shots in and out and the use of crossfades and cut through blacks when changing between shots in the split screens. There is the use of stop motion editing every time the iconic line from the song “come together right now over me” is sung. There are several situations in this video where the band are copying an action from a famous photograph or image of The Beatles, every time this happens the image is shown faded on top of the music video footage. Footage is split between being shown in black and white as well as in colour.
Narrative	There is no story telling narrative in this video. This is because the majority of footage we see is the band practising, hanging out and relaxing.
Titling	At the start of the video we see the only titles used. These read the song “Come Together Cover” and the artist “Guys In White Dresses”. These titles are located in the bottom left corner like they would be on some music channels alongside titles for the director and record company.