Tuesday 20 September 2011

A2 Media Studies Music Video: Music Video Analysis


Bullet For My Valentine.

Bittersweet Memories.



I have chosen to analyse this music video because it has a complex theme that is based around the aftermath of a relationship breakup.

The mise-en-scene in the video is very varied. The setting is in an abandoned building that has an escalator and all different types of rooms. In terms of costumes, there is lots of Demin jeans and leather jackets. This is typical of the genre of Metalcore and also the whole fashion of Rock and Metal itself. The lighting in the video is very complex and influential because it moves about, like as if it is a spotlight moving, like as if you have memories of someone you loved in your head that you want to get out because they are too painful to keep, but can’t let go of because they were memories that you were happy with living to.

The camerawork in the video is varied because it uses different focuses, views and styles of camera type. The video has a mixture of handheld camerawork when there is an action happening, like the two women running through the building to have a fight outside; and also a camera mounted on either a tripod or a track. This shows the effect of different events happening that are calm, like most of the time when Matt Tuck is walking through the building.

The sound is a simple effect because it is just all of the music being played.

The editing is useful in this video because it is fast paced through most of it. This is to show the emotion of the lyrics and also the emotion of the video itself.

The iconography in this video is mainly typical of the genre. There is the relative use of rain that makes the video seem darker, like the lyrics suggest. Another convention of the video in relation to the genre is the use of dark colours, like reds and blacks. This relates to the darkness of the genre and the lyrics. The typical iconography of the video in terms of music videos is that it is a narrative + performance video because you can see ‘Padge’ performing the lead guitar with Matt Tuck singing, whilst the story unfolds.

Tears Don’t Fall.



I have chosen this video because the album cover for The Poison, which this song is off, relates to the lyrics to this specific song and the video itself also relates to the lyrics.

The mise-en-scene to this video is pretty varied. The setting is between a rain-socked studio in which the band are performing, a Ford pickup truck and a motel. The costumes are mainly scruffy, dark coloured t-shirts, jeans and also canvas shoes. This is typical of the fashion of the whole Rock and Metal world, especially the Metalcore genre. The lighting is mainly natural light with a slightly darker blue tint to it. This means that the video uses the natural light to show the reality of the lyrics, whilst the blue tint makes it feel darker than a conventional music video that uses natural light.

The camerawork in the video is very influential because it switches from being handheld when the band performs to show the volume at which they perform at as well as allowing them to show that the lyrics are personal and prominent in this song; and being on a tripod during the rest of the video, which shows the story unfolding.

The sound is the same as it was for Bittersweet Memories, where it is only the music playing.

The editing in this video is pretty fast, apart from the motel scenes, where it slows down a bit. This is influential because it shows that the music is prominent in this specific video, whilst making sure the target audience can see what the story is about.

The iconography of this video in terms of the genre is exactly the same as it was in Bittersweet Memories, where there is rain and dark colours. This is also a narrative + performance video to show that the lyrics are very personal to the band, as well as saying to their target audience that they can play their instruments.

Waking The Demon.



I have chosen this video because it is a good example for both the band and the genre because it shows the personal struggle of being bullied and being an outcast of society.

The mise-en-scene in this video is quite varied and it also relates a lot to the song and the issue that it raises. The setting is between a school and the woods. The costumes are pretty much the same as they have been in the last couple of videos. This is a link to say that they style of clothing that is related to this genre is the same as any other band and to stand out in a crowd. The lighting is a mixture of natural and artificial lighting.

The camerawork in this video is pretty much the same as in the other two videos in relation to the style of camera used and the way in which the camera is used.

The sound in this video is different because for the first 6 seconds it is the inaudible sound of people chatting and then the music kicks in when the Jock grabs the Metalhead.

The editing in this video is pretty much the same as it was in the other two videos. Fast paced and crossing between the Metalhead being bullied by the Jocks and the band performing. This also fortifies the lyrics to this song about having a ‘demon’ inside you when the same people bully you for a long period of time.

The iconography of this video is the same in relation to the colours and the use of different sources, e.g. lighting that is in the other music videos. The iconography of the style of music video is the same as the other two videos in relation to the type, which is narrative + performance.


Theories.


These aspects are related to the 1997 Four Notions of Representation theory by Richard Dyer. This is shown through the use of the semiotics (micro elements) and the conventions of the video in relation to the stereotypes of the genre in which it is classed in. This is shown by the costumes that are worn in the video; the use of dark imagery and rain to create an atmosphere; and also a mixture of styles within the music and the narrative/story of the videos.


Meanwhile, the 'Uses and Gratifications' theory by Blumler & Katz shows the diversion and personal identity of the audience within the music videos. The diversion in the videos means that the audience comes into contact with the video as a form of escapism or emotional release from everyday pressures. This is true of these videos because it allows people to see that other people are in the same situations as they are; and also that the audience can lay back for a bit and relax from everything that's going on around them. The personal identity aspect of this theory means that the audience can compare their life to the lyrics and videos of the artists they listen to.


Eyes Set To Kill



Music Video Analysis A



Title:   Eyes Set To Kill - Darling
Length:   4:09

Description:
I have chosen to analyse this music video by Eyes Set To Kill because it's the music video that my group are going to attempt to re-enact. It will be a great video analyse as it'll break down the components of what we need to do and achieve, also the standard that we have to work at to achieve a music video for this genre.

Textual Analysis:
Camera Work:



·                The camera work consists of a hand held camera, to provide the jump effect which flows throughout the music video.
·                Theres a lot of mid shots, close ups (to show the story of the video) close ups of the instruments.
Mise-En-Scene:
·                Dark Clothing as it stands out in the lighter scenes.
·                Lead Singer (Female) wears standard clothing, so she stands out from the band.
·                Lots of props, including various clothing, doctors gown, face mask, latex gloves, speakers, projector and films, sterilized equipment.

Sound:
·                Recorded song, with video added afterwards.
·                Microphone.
·                Stereo sound.
·                Basic singing, subtle and calm (Female Vocalist.)
·                Screaming, loud, vigorous (Male Vocalist.)

Editing:
·                Flicks between singer(s) and band members, whilst constantly venturing off into the storyline, showing the surgeon, and the extra female who's being operated on.
·                Shows the instruments often to show some part of the band, and the instrumental sections.
·                A grainy effect flashes across the video at add a disorientated or old effect to the video, I enjoy this effect and shall attempt to create this effect during editing.
·                There's a text overlay effect implemented into the video, which appears at various points (see image below.) Where the word 'Lies' appears in a text form overlapping the video itself.


Extras:
·                I noticed that the video keeps in time with the music, so when the music slows down, the video itself slows to a reasonable pace, with less cut shots to alternative clips

Music Video Analysis B
Title:   Eyes Set To Kill - Broken Frames
Length:   2:55

Description:
This video I've chosen to analyse because it's down the band name, also this video takes a lighter approach to the videos, whilst still keeping the darkened affect throughout. It has various cut scenes, along with a lot of disorientation, and back light effects.

Textual Analysis:
Camera Work:



·                Mid Shots to give a perspective of the person along with showing a brief view of the location.
·                Close Ups of sections that have been picked up along the way, or of the musical instruments. 
·                Full Shots shown of the story character wondering around, giving a visual perspective of the story outline.
·                Stationary Camera but used on a track, which allows to follow the group and video without any shaking and irrelevant and unwanted shaking in the video.

Mise-En-Scene:
·                Wooded area, allowing lighting effects and the story to take place.
·                Lead singer changes clothing numerous times to give different effects during the video.

Sound:
·                Recorded song, with video added afterwards.
·                Microphone.
·                Stereo Sounding.
·                Basic Singing, subtle and calm (Female Vocalist.)
·                Screaming, loud, vigorous (Male Vocalist.)
Editing:
·                Lots of cut scenes at the beginning, which is a nice effect before the song starts.
·                Cuts to the story constantly, keeping the viewer enticed with the outcome of the story.
·                Shifting effects, looking like slight judders which adds a sense of power to the song.
·                When the light bulb is being put into the ground, editing of the recorded video to remove the hand, so small sections of it being screwed in added together to create this.
·                A progressive blurry effect added to some parts of the video, I love this effect as it seems really thought out where it should be implemented into the video (See Image Below.)




Extras:
·                The lighting effects used within the video are used to their full advantage, getting the best possible outcome, it would be a great effect to do (See Image Below.)

·                I enjoy the fact that they put a light bulb in the ground, it's quite inspiring although fairly easy to do, it's unique.

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