Week 8: Evolution of the Music Video

Previously I have discussed the advantage (or some might call it "disadvantage") of living in the digitial era and having everything at your fingertips. The reality is, we don't use the web just to get information anymore. We live, work, and interact within it. The rise of the Internet, and recent introduction of Web 2.0 has enabled average people to create work and use the Internet to broadcast themselves. It has proved a successful medium for broadcasting not only creative work, but sharing thoughts and ideas.
Where is all this going? Well, a perfect example is the evolution of the music video. Considering the fact that some fourty years ago, there was no such a thing as music videos, it is pretty impressive that virtually anyone can make one today without leavinng their house. The music industry has successfully learned to adapt to the new age of browsing, and has captured the potential of the internet music video. In some cases, bands and record labels have even made calls for fans to submit their own music videos to the songs picked by the artist. NY based artist Moby, recently announced a reward for a fan with the best video to the single from his 2008 album "Last Night."
The success behind internet music video is largely a result of the interactivity it enables for the viewer, and the encouragement for them to create their own work to go with someone else's. Videos that look like they are made at home are often created with some sense of satire.

Here's a beautifully done video to one of my favorite songs Fake Empire, by a band called The National:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KehwyWmXr3U