Monday, 18 June 2012

Analysing 3 types of Music Videos:



DISJUNCTION:
'the act of disjoining or the state of being disjoined: a disjunction between thought and action.'

RADIO HEAD- 'NO SUPRISES'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5CVsCnxyXg





A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal
You look so tired-unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us
I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide

With no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent

This is my final fit
My final bellyache

With no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please

Such a pretty house
And such a pretty garden

No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please

 
Firstly, the first variation of shots at the beginning, they are all particularly similar, due to the black background contrasted with the small outburst of light appearing upon the screen. This emphasises on the randomness of the whole pop promo video how one scene is completely juxtaposed to another with no real relevance.





The next shot we come across is one that does not change, for the duration of the pop promo video. This is a shot of a member of the group, who is singing the lyrics. The lyrics are shown to come across the screen backwards, as if the artist is supposed to be reading them while singing. Therefore, this could just be a promotional gimmic or there could actually be a deaper meaning towards this idea that producers have created.


The next shot we come across is one that does not change, for the duration of the pop promo video. This is a shot of a member of the group, who is singing the lyrics. The lyrics are shown to come across the screen backwards, as if the artist is supposed to be reading them while singing. Therefore, this could just be a promotional gimmick or there could actually be a deeper meaning towards this idea that producers have created.

 

The editing effects used, are of the lines shown cutting across the screen. This could have been used to cause a disjunction between the lyrics and the non-existent storyline to add a little mystery or extra randomness to the pop promo video.





Another editing effect used is of the white lighting that is situated upon the screen shown to the left. However, this could be an effect producers have used to create more assumption and wonder towards the piece. However, it could also be kept in to represent the verisimilitude of the piece, being the fact the producers have not taken it out, as the artist is portray to be in a glass cube. Therefore, there would be shadowing and lighting shown on the other side of the cube opposite the artist.







Another editing effect used, which is not actually used but portrayed to be used, is when the artist holds his breath for fifty six seconds under water. The water fills up the cube, and the artists is left looking emotionless in the eyes, and distant, while we hear a background noise, for what seems like minutes and minutes. After that duration of time, the artist is then seem to be gasping for air, which makes the audience believe the effect actually happened, and was not just portrayed to have happened.

 


 
The last shot we see is the first bit of emotion, us an audience see is coming from the artists eyes. It is important to get a connection with the audience therefore, the artists eye's matching the same eye level of the audience, allows us to endure into their emotions and feelings.
This is a big must when an artist wants to connect with their potential audience and establish themselves as an artist.

 


AMPLIFICATION:
'The operation of an amplifier, a natural or artificial device intended to make a signal stronger.'

COLPLAY- 'Paradise'





When she was just a girl she expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
So she ran away in her sleep and dreamed of
Para-para-paradise, para-para-paradise, para-para-paradise
Every time she closed her eyes

When she was just a girl she expected the world
But it flew away from her reach and the bullets catch in her teeth
Life goes on, it gets so heavy
The wheel breaks the butterfly every tear a waterfall
In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes
In the night the stormy night away she'd fly

And dream of para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise

(Oh oh oh oh oh, oh-oh-oh)

She'd dream of para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise

(Oh oh oh oh oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)

La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
And so lying underneath those stormy skies
She'd say, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
I know the sun must set to rise"

This could be para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise

This could be para-para-paradise
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

This could be para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise

This could be para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh, oh

This could be para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise

This could be para-para-paradise
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh




The first shot used is emphasised on the editing techniques used. There is subtitles used for the first section to acknowledge the producers/directors etc, which is the only one of the three videos that i have chosen to analyse, that does this.

The variation and combination of colours used shown within the mise-en-scene of this shot blend together effectively to create a stereotypical assumption for a positive storyline from the start and duration of the video.

 
 

 

 
The next shot seen is a long shot or possibly arguable a establishing shot of wild animals and the background they are situated in, being the mise-en-scene set for the scene. This is a reflecting shot, as the shadows show animals moving around freely and not in captivity. This is what the overall aim of the main character in the storyline wants to attain.

 

     
 

The next shot seen is of the main character behind metal bars. This connotes he has done a crime and is trouble. However, the other obvious explanation is that he is in captivity and cannot escape his fate.
 
 
 




The following image shows the character in a jokey formation to the audience, due to the fact he has supposedly been drawing images on the wall. This obviously emphasises on the fact if he was an actual animal, he would not be able to do this.





The next shot of an actual animal in their actual captivity, doing what is stereotypical expected on them emphasises on the fact the character within this music video is mimicking and pretending to the animal they are trying to portray. The low angled shot looking up on the animal represents there supposed importance and level on hierarchy over who is meant to be watching them, being us the audience.


 





This establishing shot gives a sense of humour to the music video. This is due to the character pretending to be the animal, who is aiming to escape from captivity, is being chased by police officers. This would not stereotypically happen in every day society therefore, the seriousness of it makes the audience giggle and reason with the character within the piece. This is due to them making us as an audience feel an emotion towards them.



 




The next three images make the audience aware of where the video has been set. This is due to the audience's stereotypical assumptions of where we as an audience expect these items should be placed e.g. London underground sign is location in central London. Another example would be as shot of the escalators on the underground which are located in Kings Cross train station.


 
 
The shot of the red phone box with the character riding past, refers back to the tourist attractions in London, where tourists will have their photo taken with a red phone box due to its relations back to London. Therefore, for this to be included, it immediatly links to London, and what is expected in that city. The fact the character has ran away to London signifies the city is where you can run away to, to find yourself, to find your dreams. Therefore, this acts as an advertising tool at the same time.




The next shot is a mid-shot of the main character holding up a sign with the lyrics of the song on. This therefore, emphasises the character wants to be in paradise, and the minimal link that the lyrics have to the storyline within the piece.



 
 
This establishing shot shows a stereotypical urban setting, which in theory has some connotations of pop art. This is due to the random piece's of art situated in the mise-en-scene which would not stereotypically be placed together in this known context.
 

This next establishing shot shows the not so attractive side of freedom. This is due to the harsh reality of world outside captivity. Therefore, this could make the main character ponder on the thought of if he/she was so much worse of where he/she was before.


 


An editing effect used here is fast paced. This is used to speed time up, which is shown through the fast moving clouds that are dramatically moving forward, to shows the progression of the sun set dissolving into the horizon. Which in theory this could represent the world being at peace, which could link back to the main character being at peace. Due to the fact he has escaped from captivity.


 

 

 
 The last shot we see is a performance/gig taking place where the artists are performing. However, this then makes us question is there an actual performance taking place, or is it actually a diegetic audience?


LYRICAL: 
'The term lyrical may mean: lyrics, or words in songs'

KELLY CLARKSON- Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0T3WAbU6tg



Remember all the things we wanted
Now all our memories, they're haunted
We were always meant to say goodbye
Even with our fists held high
It never would have worked out right, yeah
We were never meant for do or die
I didn't want us to burn out
I didn't come here to hurt you now I can't stop

[Chorus]
I want you to know
That it doesn't matter
Where we take this road
But someone's gotta go
And I want you to know
You couldn't have loved me better
But I want you to move on
So I'm already gone

Looking at you makes it harder
But I know that you'll find another
That doesn't always make you wanna cry
It started with the perfect kiss then
We could feel the poison set in
"Perfect" couldn't keep this love alive
You know that I love you so
I love you enough to let you go

[Chorus]

You can't make it feel right
When you know that it's wrong
I'm already gone, already gone
There's no moving on
So I'm already gone
Ah already gone, already gone, already gone
Ah already gone, already gone, already gone

Remember all the things we wanted
Now all our memories, they're haunted
We were always meant to say goodbye

[Chorus]

You can't make it feel right
When you know that it's wrong
I'm already gone, already gone
There's no moving on
So I'm already gone





Firstly, a vast amount of close-up shots and extreme close-up shots are used to focus and highlight the characters feelings and emotions towards the audience. This concept is also used to highlight to the audience, that this video is lyrical promo music video. Including it is centrally focused completely on the lyrics within the song, along with promoting the artist and aiming to create a brand image for that individual.


Close up camera shots, are a captivating way of endearing into the artists emotions they are trying to portray, parallel to the vibe within the lyrics of the song, to see if they are successful in doing so. There is a personal connection made between audience and artist due to the fact there eye level line is always parallel to those of the audience. Therefore, we feel compassion towards the audience and a bond between ourselves and the artist on a personal level. Therefore, this allows the audience to feel the emotions of the artist/artists.



The props used within the mise-en-scene of the promo video are of instruments used within the piece of music. Therefore, this emphasises that this is a performance piece, based solely on the lyrics and instruments used to get the overall performance needed to suit the lyrics of the song.









The mise-en-scene of the promo video is of an empty room situated with minimal objects. Therefore, this moves the attention away from the narrative and storyline within the piece. Therefore moving the audience’s attention to the artist and the lyrics of the song and promoting the individual as a brand image and promoting her new single. The lighting within the music promo video is of dark shades, the lighting is dimmed, possibly to emphasise on the mood trying to be portrayed by the artist due to the lyrics of the song. Therefore, this fits in with the negative lyrics of the song showing regret, remorse etc e.g. 'We were always meant to say goodbye'. This example shows how the artist thinks the relationship could have possible been doomed from the begging.




Editing effects used within the piece are of dissolves and zooms into focus on certain objects e.g. the artists themselves. This therefore, attempts to make the audience focus completely on the artist and the song she is singing. Followed after by a fade out shot, which moves between one shot to another, which allows the audience to see one emotion the artist is portraying compared to the next shot.

Dissolves/fades are very common in all music videos.


 
Kelly Clarkson's music video promo shows great reference to sexual aspects, such as the provocative clothing and the way her body language is portrayed. Therefore, this contradicts to the meaning of the lyrics she is singing. However, due to her negative upsetting lyrics, she could be trying to portray the message of getting her own back on the man who has upset her so dearly e.g. 'So I'm already gone'. This could suggest she is trying to portray the image that she has moved on, and has dealt with the situation that had happened.

Although it is seen as shun upon in the music industry for music promo videos being over sexual, it is very common in the music industry for there to be great relevance of this within numerous music promo videos.





There are vast amount of mid shots used also representing the body language of the artist/s. An example of this is the image above it is showing the artist to be frustrated and emotionally drained which is also portrayed by the lyrics within the song e.g.
'Now all our memories, they're haunted'.



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