For the feedback of my posts so far, all of the music video analyses lack technical aspects such as shot types, camerawork and editing. Also representations of the music/lyrics and the visuals would need commented on due to it being very minimal in the analysis.
For the practice music video task, the feedback on this was mostly positive and had a clear detailed description of the process. I would then have to embed the final video and review it, commenting on what went well and what could be better.
For the conventions of music videos post, the feedback was all positive and nothing was mention that would need to be improved.
To achieve my target grade for this year (B) I would need to improve the music video analyses and add a quick review of the final music video we did for a practice.
I have already have improved the practice music video post by adding a review of the final video and commenting on the good parts and improvements that could be made when it comes to making my own. I will then now improve on the 5 video analyses and get them completed by the end of the week.
Monday, 25 September 2017
Sunday, 17 September 2017
AWOLNATION - Run Analysis
This first shot shows a crow flying off a rock onto the beach. The camera pans slowly down towards the beach. Using a slow pan suggests the genre and tempo of music, and the what the director wants us to get out of the shot.
The video then goes onto show the crow on the beach and the scenery around, and then a long shot of a mermaid swimming towards the camera. As the shot is very blurry and dark the director does not want us to see who the mermaid is yet, and wants us to question who and why they are there. The shot is very brief, only showing a few seconds of the shot, this keeps this minimal making the viewer see her but not focus on her completely. As the lighting in the shot is very purple, it links with the purple light that is foreshadowing what is going to happen later on in the video.
The next shot then shows a figure with a purple light, the shots keep switching between the mermaid and the figure with the light. This is to suggest that the mermaid is interested and wants to find out what is gong on. To have the protagonist to walk out of the sea with the purple light is quite unusual of a narrative and make us question where they have come from and why they are doing this. Due to the protagonist being hidden about their identity, by having a large helmet and cape to cover themselves, makes the visuals and narrative link with the lyrics and mood of the song. This is to create a relationship between the two so the viewer can clearly understand what is going on. Due to the cape being black means that black has similar connotations to the purple coloured light. As the light is purple helps to add a contrast from all the other colours in the scene. Purple also has connotations of power, mystery and devotion. By using a purple light helps the director get ideas to the viewer subtly. This means that they can create ideas about the protagonist and their personality. The connotations of mystery fit appropriately with the narrative due to the costume and actions of the protagonist, as the colour connotes power it suggests that they might have some power over the other characters in the video. Due to the colour also connoting devotion suggests that the protagonist may be loyal and gives ideas of worship and religion. This suggests an idea to the viewer that the protagonist may be a religious symbol making them important. Due to the secrecy means that this would also support the idea of them being a religious icon.
This next shot shows the helmet of the protagonist in the music video, and the mermaid holding it. The viewer can assume that the purple lighting is coming from the light he carries. The camera is an extremely close up on the characters. This makes us focus on what is in the shot and the expressions on the mermaid. As the lighting is low-key and has a purple tinge to it, makes us really focus on the reflections from the helmet and the minimal light on the mermaid. The director cannot afford us to focus on other things therefore making it an extreme close-up helps us to realise the message they are trying to get across. The movement of the camera suggests that something bad is going to happen due to its movements being random and therefore shaking the camera. This foreshadows what happens later in the video. Bubbles are shown moving between the two characters making us clearly assume that this is underwater, but also think about who is making them. Due to them coming from outside the frame suggests that the director wants us to believe that there is someone that we don't know about. The viewer can assume that it would be the protagonist of the video, taking off the helmet which then foreshadows the narrative later in the video.
The next shot then agrees with this idea due to the protagonist taking the helmet off in the next shot. He then drops the helmet on the floor and it cuts to another similar shot of the mermaid and the helmet. The music is about to change mood and there is a close-up shot of the mermaid looking into the camera. As the music changes, the expressions of the mermaid change making linking the visuals with the music. Due to the camera being close-up makes us focus on the expressions so we realise the mood of the song. Due to the positioning of the camera and linking with the shots before, the viewer can assume that this is the perspective of the protagonist making it a point of view shot. This gives the viewer an insight of what they see in their eyes. When they mermaid realises what this helmet is in the narrative, she runs away, this then links with the lyrics and title of the song.
After the music has switched the mood, the video also changes. The narrative and the shot types change to connote the mood of the song. Longer slower pans and shot lengths are uses to signify and symbolise the mood of the music. By the helmet being in the sea also suggests that it could be washed away connoting that the disguise has been forgotten about. This links to the narrative in the video due to the subject wearing a long black coat. This makes the viewer think about who is behind the coat and then therefore linking to the lyrics in the song.
Genre CharacteristicsDue to the song being an alternative/indie, makes the video have its own typical style. As indies can range in sub-genres, the videos don't really have any typical characteristics or conventions, and tend to follow the conventions of the mood and sub-genre of music. Therefore the video is suited to the lyrics and music, meaning you typically see narrative videos for indie/alternative videos. Due to it being a narrative video suggests it has its own ideas and mood linking with the music. Therefore you typically get its own conventions or a combination of them from multiple genres in one video.
Conventions of Music Videos
Genre Characteristics
Depending on the genre of the music, depends on what typical conventions there are in their music videos. Typically in rock music videos there tends to be lots of guitars, drums and other instruments shown in the videos to connote the genre of music. This tells the viewer what type of music it is without having to listen to listen to the song. In Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit, the music video shows typical instruments for the rock genre telling the viewer that this is a rock video.
Also the use of different colours helps to distinguish the genre of music. For rock music, orange and reds are used to connote the mood of music. Red can connote aggression therefore being appropriate for some rock videos. In The White Stripes - 'Seven Nation Army', the video also shows lots of instruments to connote the genre of music, but also uses the colour red on t-shirts, the guitars and the drum kit to connote the mood and feeling of the music. The light in the music video flickers when the main part of the song starts to play.
In the music video Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do, there are lots of pop genre characteristics. Firstly pop videos typically show the stars lip-syncing throughout most of the video Taylor Swifts video is a prime example of this as she is shown throughout all of the video lip-syncing to the whole song. Also there is alot of dance within the video, which is also a typical convention of the pop genre.
Voyeurism
Lots of music videos have voyeuristic scenes in them. Usually pop and hip hop videos have at least a few scenes of females bodies to connote the genre of music. Also the lyrics can talk about women as objects, therefore the music video will then show this, to fit with the lyrics. They often contain male gaze in the video to show women as an object instead of a person. In Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry, there is lots of voyeuristic scenes in the video so it has a relationship with the lyrics. Even the artist of the song is labelled as an object due to her and all the other women being in swimsuits. This shot in particular shows that all of the women are in swimsuits but the men are fully clothed. This portrays women in this video as objects for male pleasure.
Demands of the record label
The record label demand certain things from a music video as they usually fund the whole project. As a music video is an advertisement for the song, they demand certain things to help sell the song. In Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do, it has the artist throughout the whole video to sell the song. This is because people recognise the artist in the video and then base their judgement whether they like that song or not. The artist of the song can have a massive impact on whether someone likes the song, so showing the artist throughout the video can help the viewer make this decision.
The screenshots also show promotion of the artist. The first shot shows a massive T, to suggest and stand for Taylor the artist of the song. This is to symbolise the artist making it clear who it is. The second shot shows people with shirts with I love TS, this can be understood by the viewer as Taylor Swift, therefore promoting her once again. Earlier in the music video, There are a few more symbols of her throughout the video.
Relationship between visuals + lyrics
Lots of narrative videos have a strong relationship between the visuals and lyrics. Typically pop videos have more of this than other genres due to the lyrics being the most important in the song. In Halsey - Colours, the song talks about the person in the video as he lives his life. The artist is shown in the video to fit with the genre and to fit with the narrative.
Relationship between visuals + music
Lots of music videos have a relationship between the music and the visuals on screen. Typically the rock genre have more of this than pop. This is due to the song and music being as important as the lyrics, if not more. In Foo Fighters - The Pretender, the background explodes as the music becomes much more upbeat. The explosion is synced with the music as it 'blows up' as well.
Iconography
Typically hip hop videos contain alot of iconography, this is due to them wanting to show their wealth and power. In 50 Cent - Just A Lil Bit, there are alot of icons within the video. As shown in this first shot (left) the video, it shows their wealth with the artist arriving from a private jet and tree women surrounding him. The plane shows his wealth and the women are shown as objects therefore the viewer can assume that they are 'owned' by him, making him look much more powerful and important. This next shot (right) shows him in a private villa, this again shows wealth. He is also dressed with lots of jewellery, which obviously is more evidence that he is wealthy but wearing a crucifix necklace is another icon suggesting that he is religious. He has got other watches and rings to show his wealth and power.
Intertextuality
Lots of videos have intertextual references in them, this is usually to promote either themselves or other media texts. In Pitbull & J Balvin - Hey Ma ft Camila Cabello, it promote the film Fast and Furious 8, due to the song being made for the film. It has lots of scenes and actors from the film. This helps to promote the film if people have not seen it.
Also if people have fond the song due to the film, they can relate to the music video as they have seen the film. This help to sell the film or the music, depending on how the viewer got to the video. This also reminds people to go watch the film if they want to see it and have not seen it already.
Depending on the genre of the music, depends on what typical conventions there are in their music videos. Typically in rock music videos there tends to be lots of guitars, drums and other instruments shown in the videos to connote the genre of music. This tells the viewer what type of music it is without having to listen to listen to the song. In Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit, the music video shows typical instruments for the rock genre telling the viewer that this is a rock video.Also the use of different colours helps to distinguish the genre of music. For rock music, orange and reds are used to connote the mood of music. Red can connote aggression therefore being appropriate for some rock videos. In The White Stripes - 'Seven Nation Army', the video also shows lots of instruments to connote the genre of music, but also uses the colour red on t-shirts, the guitars and the drum kit to connote the mood and feeling of the music. The light in the music video flickers when the main part of the song starts to play.
In the music video Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do, there are lots of pop genre characteristics. Firstly pop videos typically show the stars lip-syncing throughout most of the video Taylor Swifts video is a prime example of this as she is shown throughout all of the video lip-syncing to the whole song. Also there is alot of dance within the video, which is also a typical convention of the pop genre.
Voyeurism
Lots of music videos have voyeuristic scenes in them. Usually pop and hip hop videos have at least a few scenes of females bodies to connote the genre of music. Also the lyrics can talk about women as objects, therefore the music video will then show this, to fit with the lyrics. They often contain male gaze in the video to show women as an object instead of a person. In Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry, there is lots of voyeuristic scenes in the video so it has a relationship with the lyrics. Even the artist of the song is labelled as an object due to her and all the other women being in swimsuits. This shot in particular shows that all of the women are in swimsuits but the men are fully clothed. This portrays women in this video as objects for male pleasure.
Demands of the record label
The record label demand certain things from a music video as they usually fund the whole project. As a music video is an advertisement for the song, they demand certain things to help sell the song. In Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do, it has the artist throughout the whole video to sell the song. This is because people recognise the artist in the video and then base their judgement whether they like that song or not. The artist of the song can have a massive impact on whether someone likes the song, so showing the artist throughout the video can help the viewer make this decision.The screenshots also show promotion of the artist. The first shot shows a massive T, to suggest and stand for Taylor the artist of the song. This is to symbolise the artist making it clear who it is. The second shot shows people with shirts with I love TS, this can be understood by the viewer as Taylor Swift, therefore promoting her once again. Earlier in the music video, There are a few more symbols of her throughout the video.
Relationship between visuals + lyricsLots of narrative videos have a strong relationship between the visuals and lyrics. Typically pop videos have more of this than other genres due to the lyrics being the most important in the song. In Halsey - Colours, the song talks about the person in the video as he lives his life. The artist is shown in the video to fit with the genre and to fit with the narrative.
Relationship between visuals + musicLots of music videos have a relationship between the music and the visuals on screen. Typically the rock genre have more of this than pop. This is due to the song and music being as important as the lyrics, if not more. In Foo Fighters - The Pretender, the background explodes as the music becomes much more upbeat. The explosion is synced with the music as it 'blows up' as well.
IconographyTypically hip hop videos contain alot of iconography, this is due to them wanting to show their wealth and power. In 50 Cent - Just A Lil Bit, there are alot of icons within the video. As shown in this first shot (left) the video, it shows their wealth with the artist arriving from a private jet and tree women surrounding him. The plane shows his wealth and the women are shown as objects therefore the viewer can assume that they are 'owned' by him, making him look much more powerful and important. This next shot (right) shows him in a private villa, this again shows wealth. He is also dressed with lots of jewellery, which obviously is more evidence that he is wealthy but wearing a crucifix necklace is another icon suggesting that he is religious. He has got other watches and rings to show his wealth and power.
Intertextuality
Lots of videos have intertextual references in them, this is usually to promote either themselves or other media texts. In Pitbull & J Balvin - Hey Ma ft Camila Cabello, it promote the film Fast and Furious 8, due to the song being made for the film. It has lots of scenes and actors from the film. This helps to promote the film if people have not seen it.Also if people have fond the song due to the film, they can relate to the music video as they have seen the film. This help to sell the film or the music, depending on how the viewer got to the video. This also reminds people to go watch the film if they want to see it and have not seen it already.
Wednesday, 13 September 2017
Julian Casablancas + The Voidz - Where No Eagles Fly Analysis
Camera, Editing, Mise-En-Scene
The video is mainly performance with a few concept shots of the city, as they start to sing the video cuts to the performance section of the video, showing them singing. The shot is then distorted and flickers glitchy images over the clip. This is to fit the genre and feel of the music video. By adding the flickers in editing makes the viewer realise the mood of the video. It also gives a feeling of that it not working properly symbolising and showing their personality and the genre of music. The video then cuts close ups of them playing instruments and then cutting to another scene where they are performing the song.
The next shot shows another concept shot in black and white. Using black and white signifies and shows that they want to make the video look old. Using the glitchy effects also help to make the video look older. These effects also help the video fit with the indie/alternative rock genre, which then fits with the genre of music. They have also added some grain to the shot in post production to add to the whole old retro feeling. The way the subject is dressed and car in the shot also fit with the old retro theme. The song was released in 2014 therefore 16:9 and digital cameras would usually have been used. The director obviously wanted an older look therefore using film with a 4:3 aspect ratio and black and white in some of the shots, gives the song and the video a much older and retro feel.

This next shot has a lot of lens flare and distortion. This fits with the whole old camera effect and therefore fitting with the genre of the music. Camera movement is quite significant and shakes the frame. This suggests the feel they want to give and that shaking the camera syncs with the point in the music. The colours in the shot are quite warm as the camera is shooting into the sun. The lens flare also shows this. As they are shooting into the sun, the colours are quite distorted and merged, therefore seeing difference in colour is quite difficult. This also makes it hard to see the people in the shot which gives the feel that they don't want to be seen. The shot then leads to a closeup of the lead guitarist and the shot flickers in the beat of the music. The use of blur also gives the feel that the director does not want us to see what is going on in the shot.
The mise-en-scene in this shot shows the band and the instruments, this tells the viewer the genre of music being played. Due to it being in black and white gives the video an old feel. As the video plays, the shot flickers and distorts, while they are playing. This makes the visuals fit with the music and apply to this old convention. The long shot contains the whole band as they play, the clothing and hair matches the stereotype of this type of artist, applying to mise-en-scene conventions of this genre. There is a lot of post production been done on this shot due to the effects and shake of the shot. The shake makes the visuals have a relation to the song but also connote the narrative and meaning behind the music at this point. By using a shake makes the viewer feel that something is wrong and the lyrics fit with this. The lighting on the shot is very minimal (low-key), suggests that the director does not want us to see the performers clearly. This is quite typical of this genre, and this therefore applies to this convention.
There are lots of close-ups of guitars to remind the viewer what type of music it is, with the visuals. This keeps the viewer locked to this idea and makes sure they understand the genre of music. By using an extreme close-up helps to give lots of detail of the subject in the shot. By showing the details in the shot (the notes being played on the guitar) and due to the lighting being high-key (spot light) makes everything in the shot visible, therefore the director wants us to see this clearly. The backdrop behind the guitar is not really visible, and dark making us focus on the instrument. This draws our eyes to the object so our mind doesn't wander as the director cannot afford us to get the wrong message from it.
Relationship between visuals and lyrics
Some of the lyrics are muffled throughout the song therefore the relationship between the lyrics and visuals are similar as a lot of the shots use grain, distortion and blur. Syncing the music with the visuals by making the subjects hard to see in the visuals links with the music therefore making it appropriate. The performance shots (lip-syncing, and instrumental shots) obviously link with the music. The concept shots just fill the space after the performance shots have been done. These shots make the viewer think about why they are there and help to give the video something extra than just a performance.
Tuesday, 12 September 2017
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit Analysis
Camera, Editing, Mise-En-Scene
For the first shoot of the music video it shows a audience members foot tapping to the beat of the music. The camera is close up to the foot so the viewer can clearly see the foot emphasising the beat of the music getting the viewer into the music. The camera then pans out to look at the main stage showing all of the audience looking at the main performance. The music video is based around a live performance with people going to see the band. All of the audience look like stereotypical fans of the rock genre of music making the viewer realise the type of music that this is going to be. The camera movement (panning across the set) shows the viewer the whole scene and setting. The movement suggests that the music is about to get more intense. Whereas if the clips were shot in a static position with extra cuts between shots, can create a whole different idea. Also as this is the start of the song, the tempo and beat is much slower and quieter so the visuals should match this. Having long slow camera movements and a limited amount of cuts at the start of the video suggests matches with the music therefore the video is synced.
For the first shoot of the music video it shows a audience members foot tapping to the beat of the music. The camera is close up to the foot so the viewer can clearly see the foot emphasising the beat of the music getting the viewer into the music. The camera then pans out to look at the main stage showing all of the audience looking at the main performance. The music video is based around a live performance with people going to see the band. All of the audience look like stereotypical fans of the rock genre of music making the viewer realise the type of music that this is going to be. The camera movement (panning across the set) shows the viewer the whole scene and setting. The movement suggests that the music is about to get more intense. Whereas if the clips were shot in a static position with extra cuts between shots, can create a whole different idea. Also as this is the start of the song, the tempo and beat is much slower and quieter so the visuals should match this. Having long slow camera movements and a limited amount of cuts at the start of the video suggests matches with the music therefore the video is synced.
The video then cuts to a shot of the drummer as the music starts to increase in loudness and pace. There is alot of smoke around the drummer and the set which emphasises the fact that the music is getting louder. The backdrop behind the set is quite messy and rock themed, which therefore connotes the type of music being played. Also the drawings and graffiti on the wall behind are themed to the rock genre adding to the set. The camera is always moving, either panning across the screen, or zooming out. This can symbolise the type of music therefore relating to genre conventions. The colour of the whole shot is very orange which symbolises enthusiasm and determination which are appropriate for type of music. The colour is not as aggressive as red therefore showing that it is not as aggressive as other songs in this genre.
Throughout the music video, it keeps cutting between a narrative and lip synced visuals. This shot shows part of the narrative of the music video. This person keeps getting referred to throughout the music video which obviously the director wants us to take note of. As he is holding unusual objects it makes us question what is he actually doing. The person in this shot is quite old therefore makes us wonder why he is swaying side to side with unusual objects. In the background it looks quite messy and dark. There is a creased dark cloth behind the subject which signifies not only his character but the whole genre of the song in general. In the bottom corner you can see smoldering flames, These are also orange applying to the colour theme, and fire connotes similar meanings to the colour orange which also applies to these genre conventions.
In this shot the smoke covering the frame and limiting the viewers vision of the band makes gives it a certain feel. This implies that there is lots going on and helps to create dramatic effect. Due to the smoke being a warm colour, can connote the genre of the music. Due to it being an orange colour can signify the intensity of the music at this moment of time in the song. As the song is in it main stage after the build up (usually calmer) helps to sync the visuals with the audio relating to the time in the song. This is typically common in most music videos, but in a rock genre, making the build up much calmer through visuals, helps to sync with the music and make it relate to the genre of music.
Also due to main lead guitarist being close to the camera (CU) with the band in the background makes the viewer look at the lead guitarist. Due to the shot containing lots of smoke in front of the lead guitarist makes the shot distorted which symbolises the fact that they there is a lot going on and keeps them hidden from the camera. It is quite typical of rock music video conventions for them to either not look into the camera or be covered by something in this case smoke.
The way the lead guitarist is dressed also connotes and symbolises the genre of music and also his personality. Due to him having longer messy hair suggests to the audience what type of music he is into and would likely play. This is due to stereotyping and typical conventions of rock artists. The emotions from the music also are relatable with what he is wearing meaning the audience knows for sure what type of music this is.
There is also smoke around the subjects making the whole scene more busy connoting and signifying the genre of music which is appropriate for the video. This smoke again is synced with the music therefore there being more smoke when the music is louder and further into the song.
Representations
Due to the video being mainly performance of the song means the representation between the music and visuals are usually strong, due to the camerawork, editing and mine-en-scene. These all affect the representation of the video and tell the viewer what is going on, without having to hear the music. The visuals are linked to the music and genre due the clothing, setting and colour of the set and performers. Instruments have a heavy representation of the genre being a clear convention of rock. As the set is covered in smoke throughout the video, links and represents the tempo and beat of the music. The lead guitarist is dressed appropriately for the genre of music. His hair and clothing represent his personality and therefore people can use stereotypes to assume the type of music he would play/listen to.Representations
Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life Analysis
Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life is a narrative music video which links to the music and vocals of the song. The scenes are links and synced with the visuals
Camera, Editing, Mise-En-Scene
In this first shot a canted angle is used suggesting that something isn't right which can then foreshadow later scenes in the narrative. The camera zooms in whilst also tilting back to the horizontal. Due to the camera movement, makes the viewer realise that something bad is going to happen later in the narrative. As the subject in this case the car moves towards the camera, the camera tilts and zooms in more, the backdrop is quite minimal making the viewer focus on the subject. The backdrop shows the type of environment they are in, making it an establishing shot. Due to the whole video being narrative, means there are lots of film techniques used to represent the plot of the video. Things such as establishing shots are used to shows the viewer where they are, setting the scene.
The following shots show people enjoying the environment, by skimming stones and fishing. The lighting in the scene tells us that the sun is about to set due to the strength and direction. Also due to the colour scheme of the shot (a variety of warm colours) can signify that people are enjoying their time by the lake. This shot is then followed by an establishing shot that moves down the lake to give the viewer an idea of where the next shots are taking place. Due to the establishing shot moving quite fast toward the next scene, suggests that something is going on that is crucial for the narrative. It also get the viewer into the mood for the next scene.
This next set of shots show a fight scene taking place. The camera switches through a shot reverse shot sequence. Looking up at the male in the white shirt, as he is winning. This helps to tell the viewer that he is holding the power in this situation. As this contrasts from the last few shots due to colder colours and that the lighting has changed as there is no sun suggests there is a change in mood. Camera movement is significantly exaggerated as it shakes and moves around as they fight. By making the camera shake signifies something is unstable, therefore being appropriate. The fast editing pace helps the viewer get into the mood of the scene and emphasise the fight scene. This makes the viewer become into the narrative and feel for the characters in the scene.
As the fight goes on, the other person becomes in power and wins the fight. Therefore the camera switches angles looking up at him and looking down on the other person. The camera becomes out from being submerged in the water and looks up at him. There is still quite a lot of camera movement as he is thrown into the water and he realises that he has done something wrong, the camera becomes submerged again looking at the floating body. The cold colour scheme also helps to tell the viewer that something has gone wrong after the fight. Due the the character moving quite fast, it creates a motion blur of them making them out of focus. This makes the viewer get into the mood of the scene and keep drawn in to the narrative, making them watch the whole video, which is the directors intention. If they watch the whole video, and decide they like the song, they are more likely to purchase it.
This next shows them getting rescued after they have been dreaming after the main part of the song. The colours are not as cold as they were before and both people are on a similar level showing they both have a mutual level of power. The shot is a close-up so as viewers we can read their feeling and emotions from their faces. The backdrop in the scene is minimal so we focus on the faces of the characters. As they take up most of the screen, this also helps up to focus on them. The depth of field in the shot is quite shallow to fit with the camera movement. As the character is pulled out of the water, the camera shakes side to side to signify the actions of the other character. The movement suggests that he is getting pulled out, and that he may be in danger. The camera starts to stop moving until it is a static shot. This means that he is safe after he has been saved. The technical codes relate and link to the narrative in the video.
Director Style & Narrative
The video has a linear narrative therefore the viewer can follow the lyrics of the video and watch the story behind the song. As it is linear means the viewer can make sense of the story and follow what is happening. This has certain representations for the video giving the viewer something they can relate to when they hear the song. As there is a story behind the music, the director wants us to associate the song with a message that the artists want us to see in the song.
Representations
Due to the video having a narrative makes the song represent certain things to the viewer. The narrative can create certain representations about the song due to the visuals and plot. The director then can give the viewer messages and ideas that we can associate with the song. Also due to the video being fully narrative, makes the viewer watch the whole video so they gain the idea and message behind the song.
Camera, Editing, Mise-En-Scene
In this first shot a canted angle is used suggesting that something isn't right which can then foreshadow later scenes in the narrative. The camera zooms in whilst also tilting back to the horizontal. Due to the camera movement, makes the viewer realise that something bad is going to happen later in the narrative. As the subject in this case the car moves towards the camera, the camera tilts and zooms in more, the backdrop is quite minimal making the viewer focus on the subject. The backdrop shows the type of environment they are in, making it an establishing shot. Due to the whole video being narrative, means there are lots of film techniques used to represent the plot of the video. Things such as establishing shots are used to shows the viewer where they are, setting the scene.
The following shots show people enjoying the environment, by skimming stones and fishing. The lighting in the scene tells us that the sun is about to set due to the strength and direction. Also due to the colour scheme of the shot (a variety of warm colours) can signify that people are enjoying their time by the lake. This shot is then followed by an establishing shot that moves down the lake to give the viewer an idea of where the next shots are taking place. Due to the establishing shot moving quite fast toward the next scene, suggests that something is going on that is crucial for the narrative. It also get the viewer into the mood for the next scene.
This next set of shots show a fight scene taking place. The camera switches through a shot reverse shot sequence. Looking up at the male in the white shirt, as he is winning. This helps to tell the viewer that he is holding the power in this situation. As this contrasts from the last few shots due to colder colours and that the lighting has changed as there is no sun suggests there is a change in mood. Camera movement is significantly exaggerated as it shakes and moves around as they fight. By making the camera shake signifies something is unstable, therefore being appropriate. The fast editing pace helps the viewer get into the mood of the scene and emphasise the fight scene. This makes the viewer become into the narrative and feel for the characters in the scene.
As the fight goes on, the other person becomes in power and wins the fight. Therefore the camera switches angles looking up at him and looking down on the other person. The camera becomes out from being submerged in the water and looks up at him. There is still quite a lot of camera movement as he is thrown into the water and he realises that he has done something wrong, the camera becomes submerged again looking at the floating body. The cold colour scheme also helps to tell the viewer that something has gone wrong after the fight. Due the the character moving quite fast, it creates a motion blur of them making them out of focus. This makes the viewer get into the mood of the scene and keep drawn in to the narrative, making them watch the whole video, which is the directors intention. If they watch the whole video, and decide they like the song, they are more likely to purchase it.
This next shows them getting rescued after they have been dreaming after the main part of the song. The colours are not as cold as they were before and both people are on a similar level showing they both have a mutual level of power. The shot is a close-up so as viewers we can read their feeling and emotions from their faces. The backdrop in the scene is minimal so we focus on the faces of the characters. As they take up most of the screen, this also helps up to focus on them. The depth of field in the shot is quite shallow to fit with the camera movement. As the character is pulled out of the water, the camera shakes side to side to signify the actions of the other character. The movement suggests that he is getting pulled out, and that he may be in danger. The camera starts to stop moving until it is a static shot. This means that he is safe after he has been saved. The technical codes relate and link to the narrative in the video.Director Style & Narrative
The video has a linear narrative therefore the viewer can follow the lyrics of the video and watch the story behind the song. As it is linear means the viewer can make sense of the story and follow what is happening. This has certain representations for the video giving the viewer something they can relate to when they hear the song. As there is a story behind the music, the director wants us to associate the song with a message that the artists want us to see in the song.
Representations
Due to the video having a narrative makes the song represent certain things to the viewer. The narrative can create certain representations about the song due to the visuals and plot. The director then can give the viewer messages and ideas that we can associate with the song. Also due to the video being fully narrative, makes the viewer watch the whole video so they gain the idea and message behind the song.
Oh Wonder - Without You Analysis
Camera, Editing, Mise-En-Scene
This music video is a combination between a narrative and lip-sync video. The video starts off with a narrative clip of the male singer waking up form the ground. The titles are shown on this clip introducing the title of the song. The camera then pans down from looking at the sky onto the building showing the subject on the floor. The slow pan of the city and sky, suggest the mood and genre of the song making the visuals relate to the song. As they are lying on the floor, it suggests that they are waking up, and not knowing where they are. As they 'wake up' in unusual places suggests that something before happened making the viewer question what is going on. The long shot of the male singer, shows him wake up from the roof of the building. The following shot shows the female singer doing the same actions, waking up from a cobble street road. As the female singer gets up from the cobble road, her actions moving up, match with the notes played in the song, emphasising the song and linking it with the visuals. The mise-en-scene in the shot is quite busy due to the cars being parked on both sides of the street. Therefore this can related and be an example of a busy street in a city. Both singers wear mainly black clothing in the narrative shots where as in the performance scenes they wear the appropriate colour clothing for the backdrop as shown in the next shot. Due to the colour black having a typical negative connotation suggests can foreshadow that they have to find each other in order to sort out the situation. Also the colour can connote the unknown as the viewer does note know why they have woken on a roof and a cobble street.
As the singing starts the clip then cuts to a performance clip of the two singing. The scene is very minimal with both singers wearing full pink, with also being in a full pink room. The colour pink connotes friendship, affection and harmony. These connotations suggest the personality of the female singer due to the focus being on her in this shot. This is due to the positioning, depth of field, focus and lighting. Positioning is key in this shot, as the female singer is in front of the male looking away from him. This emphasises to the viewer that she is singing and wants us to focus on her words. As the male singer is in the background, with less light on his face, can also tell us that she is singing about him. The use of pink also suggests that we should focus on her words, as it is a stereotypically feminine colour. Also she is in focus unlike the male singer adding more evidence that we should be focusing on her. The camera then pans round which then has a focus pull to get both singers in focus. After this is done the depth of field has become much shallower making them both in focus. Due to the shot being warm also suggests the feeling and emotion of the performers, and the performance. Due the narrative shots being colder and not much vibrance in colour contrasts with these shots making the viewer realise that they are important and help to get the emotion of the song across to the viewer.
The video keeps cutting back and fourth from narrative to performance. This shot shows us the whole city that they are walking through. the shot uses a fish eye lens to get this curved effect nearer the corners of the frame. This makes smaller spaces look bigger. This can connote that they have long journey in the narrative to find each other as they are singing about each other. There is a lot of contrast between the narrative shots and the performance. The lip-synced shots are very uniform in terms of colour and layout. Whereas the narrative shots are just typical cityscape shots.
The colours then change to a stereotypically more masculine green colour. Some of the connotations of green match the pink ones. Things such as growth, harmony and freshness. These match the connotation with the colour pink. These connotations can be applied to his personality due to him being the focus in the shot. This particular colour (green with blue) has connotations of emotional healing and protection. This can be applied to his personality in the song as the man has to stereotypically protect her. The positioning has switched so the male character is in front of the female making us listen to his voice instead of hers. This shot uses the same ideas as the other pink shot, use of focus pulls, lighting, depth of field, etc. The shots keep switching between the pink and green, making us focus on all of the words sung by both singers. This shot also contrasts the vibrance of the narrative shots, but due to it being green, makes it colder which can therefore signify the feeling and emotion of the singers. This then contrasts the pink shot of the focus on the female character.


These two shots both contrast each other in the direction the are facing. As a viewer they can predict that the are heading towards each other as they are facing opposite directions. They both follow the rule of thirds and the backgrounds are quite dull. The shot with the female is on a canted angle making the viewer believe that there is something wrong. This suggests that they are not safe yet. Also the background has more going on that the other shot as it is just all black. The singers are stereotypically dressed appropriately for the genre and mood of the music. The shots are cut quite fast together switching between the two perspectives in time with the beat of the music. This can suggest that they are getting closer and closer to each other until they meet. The connotation of black suggest the unknown and make us question whether what they are doing on this 'journey'.
In the next shot the camera shows both singers walking towards each other. The camera starts to zoom out to show the whole perspective and so you can see both singers. The shots before don't math with the direction of this shot disturbing thee viewer and make thing think that something is wrong, as they walk in different directions. As they meet it is synced with the music and the lyrics showing they have found each other in the narrative. This is linked to the vocals of the song and is an appropriate scene for the time in the song. The two then go and walk of towards the set where they are going to perform all linking with the artists, where their logo is shown. This is to promote the band finish the whole song off.
This music video is a combination between a narrative and lip-sync video. The video starts off with a narrative clip of the male singer waking up form the ground. The titles are shown on this clip introducing the title of the song. The camera then pans down from looking at the sky onto the building showing the subject on the floor. The slow pan of the city and sky, suggest the mood and genre of the song making the visuals relate to the song. As they are lying on the floor, it suggests that they are waking up, and not knowing where they are. As they 'wake up' in unusual places suggests that something before happened making the viewer question what is going on. The long shot of the male singer, shows him wake up from the roof of the building. The following shot shows the female singer doing the same actions, waking up from a cobble street road. As the female singer gets up from the cobble road, her actions moving up, match with the notes played in the song, emphasising the song and linking it with the visuals. The mise-en-scene in the shot is quite busy due to the cars being parked on both sides of the street. Therefore this can related and be an example of a busy street in a city. Both singers wear mainly black clothing in the narrative shots where as in the performance scenes they wear the appropriate colour clothing for the backdrop as shown in the next shot. Due to the colour black having a typical negative connotation suggests can foreshadow that they have to find each other in order to sort out the situation. Also the colour can connote the unknown as the viewer does note know why they have woken on a roof and a cobble street.
As the singing starts the clip then cuts to a performance clip of the two singing. The scene is very minimal with both singers wearing full pink, with also being in a full pink room. The colour pink connotes friendship, affection and harmony. These connotations suggest the personality of the female singer due to the focus being on her in this shot. This is due to the positioning, depth of field, focus and lighting. Positioning is key in this shot, as the female singer is in front of the male looking away from him. This emphasises to the viewer that she is singing and wants us to focus on her words. As the male singer is in the background, with less light on his face, can also tell us that she is singing about him. The use of pink also suggests that we should focus on her words, as it is a stereotypically feminine colour. Also she is in focus unlike the male singer adding more evidence that we should be focusing on her. The camera then pans round which then has a focus pull to get both singers in focus. After this is done the depth of field has become much shallower making them both in focus. Due to the shot being warm also suggests the feeling and emotion of the performers, and the performance. Due the narrative shots being colder and not much vibrance in colour contrasts with these shots making the viewer realise that they are important and help to get the emotion of the song across to the viewer.
The video keeps cutting back and fourth from narrative to performance. This shot shows us the whole city that they are walking through. the shot uses a fish eye lens to get this curved effect nearer the corners of the frame. This makes smaller spaces look bigger. This can connote that they have long journey in the narrative to find each other as they are singing about each other. There is a lot of contrast between the narrative shots and the performance. The lip-synced shots are very uniform in terms of colour and layout. Whereas the narrative shots are just typical cityscape shots.The colours then change to a stereotypically more masculine green colour. Some of the connotations of green match the pink ones. Things such as growth, harmony and freshness. These match the connotation with the colour pink. These connotations can be applied to his personality due to him being the focus in the shot. This particular colour (green with blue) has connotations of emotional healing and protection. This can be applied to his personality in the song as the man has to stereotypically protect her. The positioning has switched so the male character is in front of the female making us listen to his voice instead of hers. This shot uses the same ideas as the other pink shot, use of focus pulls, lighting, depth of field, etc. The shots keep switching between the pink and green, making us focus on all of the words sung by both singers. This shot also contrasts the vibrance of the narrative shots, but due to it being green, makes it colder which can therefore signify the feeling and emotion of the singers. This then contrasts the pink shot of the focus on the female character.


These two shots both contrast each other in the direction the are facing. As a viewer they can predict that the are heading towards each other as they are facing opposite directions. They both follow the rule of thirds and the backgrounds are quite dull. The shot with the female is on a canted angle making the viewer believe that there is something wrong. This suggests that they are not safe yet. Also the background has more going on that the other shot as it is just all black. The singers are stereotypically dressed appropriately for the genre and mood of the music. The shots are cut quite fast together switching between the two perspectives in time with the beat of the music. This can suggest that they are getting closer and closer to each other until they meet. The connotation of black suggest the unknown and make us question whether what they are doing on this 'journey'.
In the next shot the camera shows both singers walking towards each other. The camera starts to zoom out to show the whole perspective and so you can see both singers. The shots before don't math with the direction of this shot disturbing thee viewer and make thing think that something is wrong, as they walk in different directions. As they meet it is synced with the music and the lyrics showing they have found each other in the narrative. This is linked to the vocals of the song and is an appropriate scene for the time in the song. The two then go and walk of towards the set where they are going to perform all linking with the artists, where their logo is shown. This is to promote the band finish the whole song off.
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