Solid As A Rock: The Music Video
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We take a look at the music video for TLC’s “Solid As A Rock” and how it helped cement the group’s place in 90s pop culture.
The making of the music video
The rock music video was one of the first genres of music videos. Recorded on film and edited in a linear fashion, early rock videos often consisted of little more than a band lip syncing to their latest single. Over time, the genre evolved and grew into something more complex and artistic. Today, rock music videos are as varied as the genre itself, but they all have one thing in common: they rocks!
In this article, we’ll take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a rock music video. We’ll follow the journey from conception to completion, learning about the key players involved and the challenges they face along the way. So if you’ve ever wondered how those awesome videos make it to your screen, read on!
The concept behind the video
The visual concept of the “Solid As A Rock” music video was to capture the feeling of being in a small, tight-knit community. The small town in the video is symbolic of any community that supports and looks out for one another, whether it’s a group of friends, family, or neighbors. We wanted to contrast the warmth and support of the community with the coldness and insecurity of the outside world.
In terms of staging and shot selection, we wanted to keep things relatively simple. The majority of the video takes place in one location — the town square — and we used a limited number of shots to give the video a cohesive feeling. We also used a lot of close-ups to emphasize the emotions of the characters and really bring viewers into their world.
Overall, we wanted to create a visual representation of what it means to be part of a supportive community. We hope that viewers can see themselves in the characters in the video and feel inspired by their story.
The symbolism in the video
There is a lot of symbolism in the music video for Solid As A Rock by TLC. The most obvious is the use of rocks and stone throughout the video. The women are shown as being strong and unbreakable, like rocks. They are also shown as being beautiful and sexual, like diamonds.
The other big symbol in the video is water. Water is often used to represent emotions and feelings. In this video, it is used to show the women’s vulnerability. It is also used to show how strong they are, because they can withstand the force of the water.
Overall, the video is about two things: strength and vulnerability. It shows that even though we are strong, we all have moments when we feel vulnerable. But that’s okay, because we can still be beautiful and loved even in our weakest moments.
The costumes in the video
The black leather jackets, pants, and boots with buckles were inspired by the British rock band The Who. The look was completed with long hair and sunglasses. The band members wanted to look “tough” and “dangerous”.
The setting of the video
The video is set in a quarry where the band is playing. The quarry is deserted except for the band and their crew. The video starts with a close up of the lead singer’s face, then cuts to a shot of the band playing. The camera pans out and we see that the quarry is surrounded by a fence. There are signs that say “no trespassing” and “danger”. Beyond the quarry is a highway and some trees. The camera pans back to the band and we see them playing their instruments and singing. The video then cuts to shots of the band members walking around the quarry, climbing on rocks, and jumping off of cliffs into the quarry’s water.
The choreography in the video
The opening scene of the video is very symbolic. It shows the members of the group standing in a line, slowly turning to stone. This could represent how society can be so judgmental that it turns people into something they’re not. The powerful, fast-paced choreography that follows could represent the fight to break free from that mold.
The message of the video
The message of the video is that people should not be afraid to be themselves and to stand up for what they believe in, even if it means being different from everyone else. The video shows a group of friends who are all different from each other but who have each other’s backs no matter what. They are shown standing up to bullies and defying expectations. In the end, they all come together to form a united front against anyone who would try tobring them down.
The music in the video
The heavy metal music in the video is incredibly intense, with a deep bass and hard-hitting drums that create a feeling of power and energy. The guitars are distorted and shredding, and the vocals are screaming and aggressive. This is not background music; it’s the focus of the video, and it sets the tone for the entire piece.
The production of the video
The video was shot on location in Los Angeles, California, and starred actors James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. It was directed by Nicholas Ray, who also directed the film Rebel Without a Cause, in which Dean starred.
The music video was produced by Columbia Pictures and released in 1955. It was filmed in black and white and ran for four minutes.
The reception of the video
When the video was released, it was met with mixed reviews. Some people praised the creativity and uniqueness of the video, while others criticized it for being too strange or confusing. However, many people agree that the video is visually stunning and that the song is catchy and memorable.