Aston Merrygold- JLS The star I chose is Aston Merrygold from JLS. He is a well known as the lead singer of the band.
In the video 'Beat Again' we see the band dancing in a warehouse. At the start Aston is in the back of the frame as it starts with Oritses solo part so he has to be at the front. Even at this early stage in the boys careers Aston has most of the close ups because he has always been seen as 'the cute one'. Aston also only shows a bit of his torso in this video but in later ones he keeps his shirt off for most of the video. He is also wearing a low cut top whereas the other boys aren't. The lights in the back of the video also change colour to whoever is in the main frame at that time. They also have a dance routine in this video which is very stereotypical for boybands.
In this video again, it starts with a close up of Marvin as his solo bit comes first this time. This video also has close ups of all the boys faces but it is more of a ballad so they do not have a dance routine like usual. This also means that Aston is wearing more similar clothes to the others. Aston is still being portrayed as 'the cute one' here so gets lots of extreme close ups, some of his eyes but the other boys get more close ups too.
This video starts with a shot of Aston standing on some rocks because he is doing the opening to this song. Aston is the only member to take his shirt off in this video as by this point management had realised he was the main selling point of the band. As this video is more of a summer dance tune they have another dance routine and again put Aston at the front while performing it. This video and the first one both have one signature move it which everyone will remember.
For our music video, we had the idea of using slow-motion transitions combined with long takes so that it would give an atmospheric and abstract feel to the video. This editing technique can be seen in this video by 'Coldplay', and it will be only be used on the going-out people (when they are walking and during the band performance at different points). In order to achieve this whilst still retaining the correct timing of the lip-syncing, we'll have to speed the song up at a different tempo.
The Pretender - Foo Fighters
Using the slow-motion transitions, as said before, we were also interested in the editing technique that involves fast cutting so that the performance of the band is seen in a large collection of consecutive shots (such as close-ups, long-shots, mid-shots etc) . This was used to make the band seem more dynamic with their instruments. We might use this technique when it comes to our band performance so that it can give a dynamic feel to the video.
Early Birdie - Owl City
The editing techniques used in this video are purely made up of various split-screen clips. This allows the video to use montage editing and some of continuity editing whilst using parallel editing to show the many events that are happening at the same time within the video (such as the vocalist, main character, moving cars etc). In our video, we want to use the idea of a person having two split personalities, and using this technique, we can use split-screens to show the events happening between both of them. One side goes out to cause havoc, and the other stays at home and does nothing.
Vanessa Carlton
The star I chose is Vanessa Carlton. She is a well known American singer known best for her song 'Thousand Miles'.
Nolita Fairytale
In the video 'Nolita Fairytale' we see Vanessa walking around a borough in Manhattan called Nolita (North of Little Italy) In the video we see the borough turned into a fairytale with story characters and mystical creatures for example a huge spider and Rapunzel. The use of fantasy within the video is very unique and makes the video interesting. Within the video there are a few details that are very personal to Vanessa Carlton and could be considered enigma codes as only people who know about her would spot them such as how her dog appears in the video. Another thing that is shown within the video that is shown in all the other examples is the grand piano she plays at.
White Houses
In this video we see Vanessa Carlton dancing in a huge studio. This video also has a enigma code behind it as some viewers may know that Vanessa did train in ballet and so the dancing was all done by her. In most of her videos she is found at a huge grand piano and this is the first of my examples that we see the piano. In this video we also see two of Carlton. One of her is dancing and one is playing piano and in the middle we see both scenes merge together.
A Thousand Miles
'A Thousand Miles' also features the piano and shows Vanessa playing her piano and travelling through the streets of New York along the roads. This is the original video when she sits at the piano and it travels out of the garage, although in 'Nolita Fairytale' the beginning of the video is the same but she steps away from the piano whilst it is in the middle of the road and the car smashes into it.
The star which I will be analyzing is Ricky Wilson from the band 'Kaiser Chiefs'. He, as the lead singer, along with his band have gained a large popularity due to their partaking in the commercial breakthrough of a new music genre that was a big craze at the time called 'Post-Punk Revival'. This band, along with others such as 'Arctic Monkeys' and 'The Strokes' were mostly well known at this stage due to this period in time, but Ricky Wilson and the 'Kaiser Chiefs' is one band in particular which rely on their image along with other means to sell their videos to the audience.
Oh My God - 2004
In 'Oh My God', Ricky Wilson as well as his other band mates are dressed in a worker's uniform whilst playing their instruments, which in the beginning are actually children's toys. The use of costume they are wearing is mentioned in the lyrics as a dull and boring reference by Wilson. But as the video progresses into the chorus, they are placed in extraordinary settings such as an arctic tundra, and other places in the world. In the beginning of the video, Wilson's appearance seems normal and calm, but as the video progresses, his appearance becomes seemingly more manic and strange. This change in appearance is mostly seen at the points when the setting drastically changes. This video is sold on Wilson's image as well as the rest of the band and their capabilities with their respective instruments during their performance.
Everyday I Love You Less And Less - 2005
Like 'Oh My God', 'Everyday I Love You Less And Less' also sells their video using their boy band image. But another thing that the video was sold on what the use of editing and visuals to make it more appealing. In this video, they used the idea of x-ray vision to make the surroundings and people around them see-through, which was another reference made in the lyrics of this song. The transitions used to make some clips of the video seem as if the audience is looking through a kaleidoscope reinforces the abstract imagery so that it makes it have a sense of confusion and disturbance. The x-ray vision could have been a means of representing people's badly-kept secrets and how transparent everyone can be, especially if they were your relatives as said in this video. Wilson seems to be the main character and lead singer in the video that is going through the enigmatic imagery the most, which in turn returns to his insane appearance that was also seen in the previous video.
I Predict A Riot - 2004
'I Predict A Riot', unlike the previous two videos, fully relies on the band's live performance to sell their video to their audience. But what the band does to make this concert performance unconventional is to allow the audience to bring their pillows to the crowd. This idea was used, so that when the video was at halfway, the crowd would start a big pillow fight with one another. This was also used so that the criteria would be met for the themes of the video, which would be fighting one another, violence and insanity. These themes all fit the title of the video as well as the video itself.
Summary
In these three examples of the band's videos, along with many other works they have produced, most of what they sell to the audience is of Ricky Wilson's persona that he uses to make the visuals around him match his expressions. Also, it could be said that Wilson takes on these personae so that he could get his message across to us. For example, in 'Oh My God', the message he tries to send to the audience relates to the problems of the people, such as unemployment (which is also the album name of where these three songs originally came from) and how it can affect the lives of many - to Wilson, these problems can drive you insane, like how he represents with his facial expressions in these videos.
Stay at home tonight Please give me one night I wish I could use your eyes to see what its like But something else was on my mind
You wanted me to stay at home but I didn’t want to I didn’t want to feel alone, or forgotten
Because I wanted to go out, to make everybody smile I wanted to go out, to waste my time in the sunshine
Is it my fault, no not this time I’m trying to say, I don’t wanna play your game There’s something you should know But I’m not gonna tell you I started to smile as you put out the fire because it feels right
You wanted me to stay at home, but I didn’t want to No no I didn’t wanna feel alone or be forgotten
Because I wanted to go out To make everybody smile I wanted to go out to waste my time in the sunshine
Representation - Someone may be stopping him from going out (e.g Girlfriend or Mum) - restricted from doing so. - He could be tell that someone to stay at home and he could go out - maybe because that someone always went out instead of him. - The song is a statement of him making a change to his life style - to have fun maybe. - He's making a decision over whether to go out or not at all - there may be commitments to stay at home but he is becoming independent. - Alternatively, not wanting to "stay at home" could be a metaphor for leaving a relationship - he may have left her judging by the overall mood of the song. - "started to smile when you put out the fire" - happy to start being independent/single and to not be restricted by commitment. - "I didn't wanna feel alone or be forgotten" - he may have wanted to persuade the other half to go out with him so he wouldn't have to stay in with her. Mood - Feeling of liberation/freedom - possibly from relationship breakup - Freshness - Fun, upbeat - Carefree - as if he had no restrictions bounding him anymore.
The places we thought were the most suitable for what we wanted were: Elizabeth Way Roundabout Underpass, Jesus Green Skatepark, Newmarket Road and Park Street Car park. This is because it relates to what we are trying to convey within the video.
The video would probably be aimed at both male and female genders. Boys may want to watch it maybe because of the genre characteristics that will be used, and girls may be drawn to the video because of the same reason, or maybe because of the group's setup (Two boys, two girls), as if it were a boy/girl band. But for this same reason, it could attract both genders due to the group being half boys and half girls.
Age group:
Because of the locations and narrative we are aiming for, the video's outcome might be suitable mostly for teenagers. The genre characteristics we want to use are quite dark, so we didn't think that it would necessarily be suitable for younger age groups. But because the album which the song originally came from doesn't include a parental guidance warning, then it could be said that the song could be suitable for younger people.
Expectations:
There would probably be a mix of gender groups based on what both males and females would like about the video. As said before, boys will probably be looking for the genre characteristics within the video since it would usually fit within the alternative rock genre, and girls will probably looking at the video's band members as if they were a boy/girl band. Because the song is of the alternative rock genre, the audience would expect the conventions that would be normally associated with this genre. One example of this could be the presentation of the band performance and the capabilities they have with their instruments. This would normally be appealing to both gender groups depending on the bands setup and performance.
Split screen one side shows a guy at home, the other side shows the guy going out. Two alternatives of one night. The first alternative shows the guy staying at home having a boring night in (eating pizza, watching films all alone). Whereas the second shows the man changing into an alter ego, (maybe putting on a mask) going out to make trouble and havoc in the town. There will be transitions with the band performing in a secluded building/area.
Idea two:
Band playing in an abandoned area: warehouse, house. Shot all in one with cut backs to a story. Abandoned area connoting rebellion relating vaguely to idea one. Close ups of band members and long and extreme long shots of the band performing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mrMe5dLqEw
Idea three:
Long takes following band members to each other's location and passing on the vocalist role or performing with each other as they introduce each band member. Follows members towards secluded place. Instruments won't be present until the performance. The band members use different means of transport, such as just running, biking etc.
Location Ideas
Warehouse for performance of Band - Exterior
Place to pretend to graffiti (for example of creating trouble) - Exterior
Messy living room for indoor people - Interior
Interesting Ideas for Cinematography, Editing and Mise en scene Mise-en-scene - Props for outdoor band members - e.g. Masks for "alter ego" Props for indoor people - e.g. Pizza boxes, TV etc
Secluded settings for mysteriously enigmatic feeling (warehouse, alleyways)
Contrast in clothing; Lazy trackies to dark casual but formal clothing
Different modes of transport (bicycles, skateboard etc) Mixes of Interior and Exterior
Instruments for outside band members (guitar, microphone etc)
Instruments for inside people (inflatable guitar, toy microphone, CD player etc)
Cinematography - Jump shots (during performance)
Long takes/Master shots (as the band members walk to each other's location)
Tracking/Dolly shots - possibly (used on band members during long takes)
Hand-held shots (used for performance)
Close-ups (during performance/possibly during long takes)
Mid-shots (during performance/during long takes)
Editing - Split-screen - at different points (to show two alternative sides of the same character(s))
Quick cuts (to use with the jump shots)
Slow motion transition - possibly (used on band members during long takes/used for performance) Parallel editing (shots cutting from people going out to people inside)
Continuity editing (during long takes)
Montage editing (during performance)
Match-on-action (for continuity)
Related student work
Use of masks
City settings
Similar ideas to our use of editing
Uses idea of going out and creating trouble, ours will use a similar idea but less light hearted.
- Band members positioned in different places (e.g city, village etc)
- Theatrical outfits
- Sunrise (waking up feel)
- Showing a morning scene (city or rural)
- Band members could come together after a period of time to play in a band performance
Plain Sight - My Great Ghost
- Rainy day
- Scenic shots
- Ghostly figures
- Slow build up using the shots
- Mirroring
- Slow lighting or natural light
- Maybe greyscale
- Atmospheric visuals/transitions
- Ghostly images of band members
Stay At Home - One Night Only
- Focus on band members performing
- Following someone's day (weekend)
- One shots
- Follow (dog, maybe even members of the band (changes focus when new band member comes in))
- Slightly comical
- Setting could start off inside, then events could happen outside
This video shows the singer driving around a forest as the video cuts to images of a girl and the sea. The music video starts on a clip of a man in a panda mask eating popcorn watching television. This as a start to the video already signals what is to come could be a little abstract and out of the ordinary.
The mise en scene within this video is the main reason to why I would consider it relatively abstract. The costume throughout the video is very similar the whole way through. The man wears typical samurai clothing and yields a sword which is covered in blood giving negative and violent connotations.
History of the music video:
We feel that the presentation is very clear and straight to the point and makes some good points and ideas about both music videos. However, we feel it could be a bit more detailed and in depth about some of the points to explain why you thought this and the effect it created.
Magazine advert for album:
The OK Go magazine advert we thought was very creative and would definitely work in a magazine as it would catch your eye and draw your attention to what it was promoting. The imaginative style of the advert looks very professional and suits the genre of the song.
Goodwin Analysis:
From reading your analysis we can see that you have worked hard on this task and have definitely fulfilled the requirement to be detailed in your response and ideas. The use of technical media language is very good, and covers a lot of points regarding different elements in the videos. The way in which the analysis has been written is very easy to understand and gives us a clear over view of what was good and bad in the videos without seeing it before.
Individual Posts:
From the one individual post we read we think that it was written very well using a lot of media terminology to back up the points made. This post gave a very thorough analysis and was explained very well throughout. The videos chosen to analyse were also very good examples to use as they were of similar genre and had lots of elements to talk about under each category of Cinematography, Editing, Mise en Scene and Sound.
Auteur analysis:
The analysis of both of these videos was clear and detailed and presented good points with evidence to back them up. We really liked how you had summarised your ideas at the end bringing all the points together and giving us an overall idea about the videos and their features. Embedding both of the links to your post also helped to back up your points and explain why you thought what you did. Analysis of 2 abstract videos:
In your analysis for the Florence and the machine video you make good clear points however, you could have been more detailed in your explanation in order to back up your points and ideas. Your analysis of Paranoid Android - Radiohead is more detailed but isn't laid out as well as the first one in the separate categories. We think it would be easier to read smoothly if both posts were laid out the same. This would also help when comparing the two videos.
Pros:
- Very informative
- Constant comparisons being made
- Neatly laid out
Cons:
- Be specific (Camera Angles used? How they use it? etc)
- Use more images
- Not enough points being made
Magazine Advert for the Album:
Pros:
- Has all the requirements
- Easy to read
- Conform to the retro style
Cons:
- Some parts aren't clear enough
- Doesn't suit the artist (Colour)
Goodwin Analysis:
Pros:
- Good amount of examples (Images)
- Consistent amount of work
Cons:
- Different sized photographs make the layout a little messy
- Would be worth adding criticism when talking about the video
- Expand on points made
Individual Post: N/A
Auteur Analysis: Pros:
- Added examples of what they are analyzing and talking about (videos)
- Neatly laid out
Cons:
- Not said enough about what makes the director an auteur
- Expand on points made
The genre characteristics that are shown within this video are that of the alternative rock genre (or more specifically 'psychedelic rock'). Some of these conventions include the band's performance and their own capabilities with the instruments, as well as having a short narrative that runs through the duration of the video. The vocalist (and some other members of the band) also address the audience, not to send at a message per say, but to sell themselves on their iconic features and image.
The lyrics and clips shown match with each other in terms of the subject they are showing and singing to the audience. The narrative they show is something very abstract and strange in terms of its cohesiveness and the way in which the visuals is being amplified. For example, when they drive the car into the animal, the audience would expect it to stay dead. But as the video progresses, the deer gets back up and ties each member of the band to the front of the car, which is what was meant to happen with the deer. This narrative matches with the lyrics though, which metaphorically presents the topic of relationships and how one person in the relationship may want to get revenge on the other person. This happens with the deer in the video; it wanted to get its own back on the ones who ran it over.
The music also matches the video. At different points in the video, when the music is amplified, the video shows shots that get even more extraordinary as it progresses. With the lyrics, it makes the video and music seem to convey the artist's feelings of revenge and wanting to get their own back on someone. This is mostly shown with the deer taking over the car and driving the members of the band to the deer's house and wife.
The thing that sells this video in particular is the image of the band members including their own unique talents with their own instruments. This is also done with their performance and iconic looks by the record label. Unlike some music videos, this one includes a cameo appearance that also took part in the band's performance which was of David Grohl, and famous songwriter well known by his other band, the 'Foo Fighters' and by performing multiple roles such as being the vocalist, drummer and guitarist. His appearance helped attract fan-bases as well as fan-bases of this band.
The motif the band had developed was a one of showing a combination between short narratives and performance in a way that seems extraordinary. For example, during their performance in the video, the outlines of their bodies glow different colours to make them stand out more from the dark background they had behind them.
There are some points in the music video that makes it seem as if the audience was placed into the situation the band was in. At one point, a low angle shot was used inside the car when the deer was driving it. This was to show how the tables had turned between the deer and the ones who ran it over and how much power it had over the band members.
Also, there was only a brief moment where there were voyeuristic treatments of female bodies. These females wore revealing clothing, so the majority of the male audience would be attracted to the video this way.
There is one intertextual reference that the video makes that could've been taken from multiple films. But one of these films (even though it is a recent film) is 'The Watch', when a few men accidentally ran over what seemed to be an alien, which causes it to want revenge. This could be said the same in this music video; the idea of letting the deer get revenge makes the whole video extraordinary when the concept of running it over seemed normal in the first place.
Quelle Surprise - Enter Shikari
The genre characteristics in this promotional video are taken from the rock genre (a hybrid between post-hardcore rock and electronics). One of these characteristics is the band's capabilities with their own instruments and performing with each other. Within this convention, the vocalist is constantly addressing the audience. This is so he and the band can get their political messages and beliefs across, which is another characteristic of the rock genre.
In terms of the message they are trying to convey to the audience, the lyrics and video act together as one to give the band's views to the audience in a frustrated manner. One of the ways they do this is through their performance, which is set within a claustrophobic area. The way they perform both in their narrative and in the way they play with their instruments makes them seem as if they are trying to break free from what space or objects that were restricting them. For example, each member of the band is tied up to an elastic rope with they all are trying to move away from to head towards the light. Also, the video was set in dark places and the only means of light they had were handheld torches and construction lights, which gave the topic presented a bigger depth in the respect of its message.
The music is constantly amplified throughout the video, which matches the visuals perfectly. Throughout the song, the footage shown make quick transitions from one shot to the other to make it seem distorting and confusing. The bands uses this during their performance to reinforce their political issue. There are some points that tone down the song, and when this happens the video tends to contain the same content but with more slower transitions and less movement to match the moment.
There are some close-ups of the band members to sell their video on, but because they are contracted to their own label, there is more freedom in what they do to reach wider audiences. This band are fairly known for their freedom in making the video and using the micro areas in different ways to make the video more appealing. One example is the way in which they edit the music video to make the video itself and the band members dynamic. They do this by using different camera angles on the same band member and jumping quickly from one angle to the other to, not only fit with the music, but to also make them seem more significant as the shot changes angles. Another way in which they sell themselves is with the way they perform. Apart from this video, other of their promotional works are quite similar in terms of their short narrative and their ability to perform with one another during different intervals. The narrative in this video relates to their given subject using the mise-en-scene around them, such as the elastic ropes that were preventing them from reaching the bright light at the end of what seems to be a tunnel or cave.
In the beginning, the audience is addressed by the vocalist who was standing in front of what seemed to be a computer screen, and when the vocalist acts as if he is interacting with the 'computer', it looks as if he is giving us an overview of the topic they are explaining to us, which in this case is on the problems of the industrial world. The lyrics during this intro are also used to give us this image.
Also, at points when the narrative is shown, the handheld shots that are being used to show it almost makes the audience feel as if they were involved with the struggle to break free from the restrictions the band were feeling, shooting the footage as a variety of different angles, such as close-ups, long shots and canted angles.
This video could be said to have intertextual references, and one of them could be another recent film called 'Source Code', because the message of this video and the film's message are both very similar in comparison. The music video portrays the message of the mechanical world we live in and how the power of some people, such as the government, as one example, can lead to us unwillingly obeying their instructions and lies. The film is slightly different, but sort of has the same message. The main character in the film is put through a timed sequence of a past event that is under police investigation which he is forced into because of his comatose condition. The police could be said to be the ones who benefit from this investigation, but the main character however could be considered to be the tragic hero because of his inability to escape his coma. The messages of both the video and film say that we are forced into situations that we sometimes don't have the power to change, and these situations benefit the one's who are conducting them.
Spectrum - Florence And The Machine - David LaChapelle and John Byrne
The techinques that have been used within the video can be split into several categories. Props, lighting, costume and editing.
The props used in the Spectrum video are varied as the scene changes rapidly throughout the video. In the first scene we see: Chandelier, plants, gramophone and a bench. In the next scene we see: skyscrapers, water and shiny spikes. This is constant throughout the video, and the abstract imagery that we keep seeing through these props could be emphasizing the video's title 'Spectrum', which means a variety of colours, typically of a rainbow. The props, along with other macro elements are all used to fit this meaning.
The lighting used in the video is very colourful and bright at times. The lighting in the rooms all spotlights to Florence giving her the most attention in the video. Again, this was to fit within the video title's meaning, and since most of the spotlight falls on the lead singer, it not only makes her seem significant, but it may also be a means of reflecting on her own personality and background, which is colourful and radiant.
The costume Florence and the ballerinas around her wear is very extravagant and outrageous. We see Florence wearing bright, shiny and tight dresses very different to the other people showing she is the star within the video. The ballerina's around her wear white tutus and large head dresses and the men wear silver tights. This image subverts the image of the stereotypical ballet dancer, and the abstract imagery of seeing men in such clothing, for example, makes the video seem outrageous even though it would still fit within the meaning of the video.
The editing used in this video is mainly based around the transition. The main and nearly only transition used is a cut, this is done very quickly to add pace to the video which is reflected on the song. These transitions may have been used to make everything within the video seem to revolve around the lead singer, as if she was the conductor of everything that was happening.
Paranoid Android - Radiohead - Magnus Carlsson
The music video has been made by a cartoonist instead of someone who has had experience with directing music videos. The video involves all members of the band as cartoon animation in a quirky story-line narrative. Because of the cartoon setting, the video has made itself available to endless possibilities and infinite ideas, as well as being the main reason why every aspect of the video is abstract and strange; anything can happen within a cartoon world, and because of it, death is not applied to that world, as seen at 5:26 - 6:06. The main use of the cartoon world though, was to make every event make no sense, especially when they use it so that it can be both humorous and awkward.
The song is said to be based on an experience in an LA bar. We think that the ideas generated from the experience is the reason that the cartoonist has presented imagery of sex/prostitution, violence and drugs in the video. This is most noticeable at 3:00 - 3:30, where there is violence towards the protagonist before he leaves and passes a drunk and two kissing "leather-men". Another example of these themes at 1:24 - 1:45, where a rough-living prostitute shows her naked body to the two teenagers and asks for them to pay her after letting them have a look.
To fit the genre of 'alternative rock', the setting is not conventional to a normal cartoon; as instead, the cartoon is based on the real world to show a problematic and realistic society which fits with the message of the song. Ridiculous characters and events (such as the man going out of his way to chop down the lamppost) emphasizes how the character "Robin" feels like the whole world is against him. The use of long solo shots of Robin also convey his loneliness, placing troubled people or problematic events in the background to make it seem as if Robin would have no hope of finding any help from anyone in the world that he was living in.
Weapon Of Choice - Fatboy Slim In 'Weapon Of Choice', the only character/actor who is seen throughout the whole video is Christopher Walken, who is a pre-known reference that would've sold the video on. As an auteur, Jonze only used one person and one setting to make this video, but to an effect that could compete with other music videos that may have used more advanced technology and video sequences. The video may seem to be simple, but Christopher Walken's capabilities gave originality, both in his dancing and the comedy aspect that the video presents.
Jonze may have chosen a hotel as a suitable location for a music video maybe because of the practicality that the hotel has to offer to benefit the video with everyday things. For example, when Christopher Walken steps on the escalator, instead of using it in its primary use, he performs a dance sequence down the upward escalator, which is both original with his dancing and the way he uses things in a completely different way. Another example is when he runs across a hallway full of mirrors. Because there were mirrors on both sides of the walls, it created different reflections to show him doing this. The angle in which the camera was set up in made it easy for us to see this.
Because Christopher Walken is known for his fame as well as his humour and his comedy, it helped the video gain response because of his appearance, mainly from fan-bases. Also, he helped getting the humorous side of the video out to the audience because of his presence.
Jonze also uses ridiculous elements to make it more humorous to watch. One example of this is when Christopher Walken (or possibly a stunt actor) jumped over the metal railings from a floor above ground level. But instead of fallin, he begins to fly throughout the hotel, and after doing this, he lands on his feet to end the music acting as if nothing happened. Weezer - Buddy Holly
Using many of the intertextual references Jonze had to make the video seem comically appealing, he created the video to make it look like the spitting image of 'Happy Days'. For example, the style they perform their song in is quite similar to those bands who were famous within that era, and even the stereotyping of bands giving flirtatious signs to girls was used to a humorous effect, especially when the boyfriend of that girl sees it happening.
Also, after halfway through the video, the video stops and the words 'To Be Continued' appear in the style that the TV show used. When this was shown, a possibly non-diegetic sound effect of an audience disapproving of the interval was used to add another layer of humour and to keep the video within the style of a TV show. This was also done with the 'Happy Days' logo when they were returning to the performance.
Lastly, because this video was made combining two forms of media (the band's music video and the popular TV show), fan-bases from both sides helped in making the video popular, as well as using comedic aspects from both of them.
Summary Jonze seems to create videos that would be fitting for the comedy genre whilst retaining the respective music genres from each song, such as hip-hop and pop-rock. Both of these music videos are seemingly simple, but they both contain well-known figures like Christopher Walken to gain a bigger response for the video. And even though they may be simple, these figures are the main things that are being sold on; both for fan-bases and for the comedy, which both videos cater for.
But most of all, these videos' humorous aspects may have been for the fun for Jonze, using ridiculous ideas ranging from cohesive to a point where it doesn't make sense. But overall, it makes the audience laugh with him when they watch it.
Recent Music Videos Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here - Enter Shikari
The genre characteristics within this video show conventions that would normally be associated with the rock genre (or more specifically, a hybrid between post-hardcore and electronics). This video shows the band's capabilities with their instruments in a performance. Also the vocalist addresses the audience by looking into the camera. This is one convention from the rock genre, which is of the band sending a message, which in this case is on a political issue, to their audience and it makes the vocalist seem like they are telling you their own beliefs.
The lyrics in this video match the visuals in terms of its message and they both come across to the audience as angry and loud to show the band's own feelings on the topic presented. To show these feelings, one of the ways they do it is with the performance of the band, presenting the clips with shaky hand-held movements of the camera along with distorting transitions to show confusion and discordance. The lighting throughout the video is also dark and mostly grey-scale to show the negativity of the problems the band were facing. Another way to send the message is through a short narrative that shows what the audience may or may not agree with and what the lyrics were illustrating, maybe amplifying.
The music also matches the visuals but only within a certain sequence. For example, the narrative is shown as an illustration when the vocalist sings the verses, when the music is toned down. And when he sings the chorus, the music becomes amplified and only the performance is showing with violent shaky motions of the hand-held camera shots. This might have been to share their own views with the audience and then amplify the music to show their anger on the topics presented with reinforcement from their performance.
Because this band works with their own independent record label, they sell themselves with the freedom they have, which is something they promote in this video and other promotional works they have done. From time to time the video includes quick-shots, mid-shots and canted angles of all members of the band, and hand-held shots of their instruments are sometimes used to show their unique capabilities with them. Many of their promotional videos are sold on their visual styles of dynamic and distorted use of editing transitions to reflect on their own feelings and meanings behind their songs. Also, during this video, their have also used an unconventional way of selling the video by editing it so that there were two of each members of the band; one of them being the real members, and the others being the 'clones' shown. They called these 'clones' based on their band name, using play-on words to call them 'Exit Shikari'.
There are a couple of points in the narrative that makes it seem like the viewer is learning the process of cloning each band member through a computer screen, using editing to put text into the video, and this helps to bring the message across. Because the video revolves around an issue, no voyeuristic shots of female bodies were used.
The cloning aspect of this video could be an intertextual reference to many other films or other forms of media that have this aspect. But there is one intertextual reference that the band uses, unconventionally, to create meaning for what topics they were presenting. They edited the words 'Dupe Records Inc' into the video, which is a fictional incorporation that the band made up to represent other music companies with. The name of this incorporation was to show how music companies, mostly working with bands of the pop genre, are not creating songs to build meaning into it, but to only make money off of artists and other bands that repeat the same messages over and over again. This is covered throughout the duration of the video.
The Scientist - Coldplay
In this video, the genre characteristics carry the conventions of the alternative-rock genre, but this band challenges some of these conventions. The narrative that is presented throughout the video relates to the topic of relationships, which in this case includes problems and the issues surrounding it. But this convention was challenged because the duration of the video consisted of every clip being edited so that the whole thing would be played in rewind; that it was being presented in reverse chronology. The video also uses one convention that would usually be associated with the pop genre, which was of the lead singer from the band performing as a main character, singing along with the song.
The lyrics in the song strongly correlate with the visuals of the clips shown. The vocalist in the video mentions wanting to go 'back to the start' and as said before, the footage was shown in reverse, showing how he yearns to turn back time to return to the start of the relationship. The visuals of seeing normal events in rewind, such as a basketball game or a passing-by cyclist performing tricks that was shown in the clips illustrate the fact that he was going back in time.
The music only consisted of a piano and the slow beat of a drum-kit giving a sombre and melancholic feel to the video, especially when the clips mainly showed the vocalist by his own and sometimes addressing the audience with an eye-level shot within the events that were happening around him. This was maybe to show that he's trying to communicate with the viewers out of loneliness, and the establishing shots that showed empty spaces around him along with the slow-motion transition were also used to show this feeling the artist was having.
This band had been contracted to many major record labels, and comparing this video to other promotional works they have done, they are all very similar in terms of selling their products on, mainly, the vocalist's image (sometimes the whole band). For example, at the beginning of the video, a close-up was used on the lead singer that zoomed out to view his whole body laying on a thrown-out mattress. The band's motif, compared with other music videos, seems to be their tendency to create different meanings and illustrations that could possibly be attached to one song. For instance, this video shows the lead singer returning to the time before a car accident happened that caused the death of his loved one. But the song itself can have other interpretations.
There are no voyeuristic shots of the female body, but showing the whole video in rewind might be the thing that draws in our attention, maybe because it was a good means of communicating with the audience who might think or feel the same way as the artist. The idea of turning back time is within most people's interest and is, therefore, appealing to those individuals.
It could be subtle, but there is some intertextual reference to a film that this video uses. In Christopher Nolan's 'Memento', the film isn't shown in rewind, but the plot is shown in reverse chronology so this element could be said to be very similar in this music video. Also, the song and music video was heavily influenced by George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass'.
Past-Student Music Videos 13T1 - 31 Music Video 2010
In this video the genre being represented resembles that of an alternative rock. Although the song conforms to the stereotypical characteristics of a rock song the video subverts the song and is that of a alternative rock. Within the video we are introduced to a school boy who within seconds has turned into a typical rock kid. He goes around upsetting the police and stealing things but in the end he goes back from his secret life to being a student. The meaning in these conventions may actually show the behavior of the typical rock life, showing the lead singer as the centrepiece to convey it. For example, when he changes from uniform to casual everyday clothes, it could show the kid's duo personality; he is nicely dressed and formal when he has his uniform on, but when he wears the alternative set of clothes, he is seen as scruffy and rebellious.
The lyrics within the song despite being of a slightly different genre to the video fit very well with the sequences they have been overlaid upon. At the beginning of the song when the boy is being a well-behaved student the lyrics do not fit whatsoever with the video but as the song and video progress it begins to fit much more when he is being pursued by the policeman. Also, when the lead singer is dressed as the well-behaved student, he doesn't sing any lyrics until he changes into his casual clothes. This could've been to emphasize that he was showing his true colours compared to his secret life as a student.
Within the video the music was very much based around the guitar and vocals within the song. The music was very upbeat and fast paced which fitted very well with the video as the boy within the video was running around a lot and in a rush.
No voyeuristic shots are seen in the video, but there are still some aspects that it uses to draw our attention to. Throughout the whole music video, the footage and clips are all shown in 'sepia' colour. This gave the video a very retro look, especially when some of the mise-en-scene, such as the leather jacket, pilot shades and fake mustache, were use to reinforce this look.
Intertextual references within the video are: School of Rock and potentially Hannah Montana. This is because of the use of a hidden identity of the school boy and the rock boy. This theme occurs strongly within these two examples. There could be some intertextual reference in films from the 1970s-80s that carry the same aspects the video has. For example, the music video's 'chase' scene could have been influenced by films such as 'The Blues Brothers'. Both the film and video do involve the 'chase' scene and they both show it in a way that makes it seem comical and humorous.
13P1 - 01 Music Video 2010
In this video the genre being represented resembles that of an alternative rock. Although the song conforms to the stereotypical characteristics of a rock song the video subverts the song and is that of an alternative rock. Within the video we are introduced to a boy who, unlike the last video, is represented as a typical rock kid. The lead singer is presented as carefree and somewhat rebellious; a couple of things that would normally be associated with the typical rock kid behavior.
The lyrics fits with the video well because they are both in the alternative rock genre. At the beginning of the video he just seems like any other boy who has had a party, but it turns out he is in a rock band. The lead singer mentions someone's hair being 'a mess' and that they were wearing a 'ski-hat and sweater vest', which are actually a few things that would be stereotypical of a rock-loving individual.
The music is very upbeat which fits with the video as they moved along with the song in a comical and appealing way. Again, the lead singer looks and feels comfortable and carefree about himself no matter where he is, be it the centre of town or the quad of the college grounds. The music was set at a steady tempo, and the video seemed to use transitions and shots in a way that made it flow with the song.
There wasn't a lot of alternative means to make the video seem more attention-grabbing but there was one brief moment after the song which almost made it seem like a twist to the video to make it more extraordinary. After the song had finished, the lead singer dressed in the red hoodie rushed back to the college's refectory to sit down at a table, only to make casual conversation with his own split personality who was dressed in a black leather jacket. This may have been to show his two identities as both a student and as a rock-lover, as was also seen in the last student video.
There isn't a lot of intertexual reference to pick out in this video, but there is one that stood out. The music video 'Undone - The Sweater Song' by Weezer, uses the same carefree attitude the lead singer uses in this video. Also, Weezer's music video has all of the band members doing ridiculous things of their instruments like this video did with the two guitarist.
