EG17-21 Music Video Analyses

ACT: Take That

TRACK: Back For Good

YEAR: 1995

GENRE: Pop

DIRECTOR: Unknown

AUDIENCE: 20-50 M+F

VIDEO

LYRICS

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?: This video is mainly performance, there is no narrative as in the video we only see the band lip-syncing and other shots of them walking/dancing in the rain.

STAR TREATMENT: Gary Barlow is the main focus in the music video, as the majority of lip-syncing shots are of him. There are also more close-up shots of him than anyone else in the band.

FX: The entire video is shot in black and white, and this adds to the quite sad feel of the song, however this contrasts with the silly dancing throughout the video.

ACT: Spice Girls

TRACK: 2 Become 1

YEAR: 1995

GENRE: Pop

DIRECTOR: Stephen Keith-Roach

AUDIENCE: 20-40 M+F

VIDEO

LYRICS

shots of couples

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?: The video is mainly performance, however throughout the video there are some shots of random couples hugging inter-cut with the lip-syncing. 

green screen New York setting

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video appears to be shot in New York, but in fact was shot in a studio with green screens so the images of NYC could be added later. All of the band members had to wear winter style clothing to add to the verisimilitude of being outside.

layering shots

FX: To achieve the effect of the wind blowing slowly through their hair, the band had to lip sync the song in double time while wind machines were on them. Layering was also used throughout the video, mainly when there were close ups of the band members.

ACT: Girls Aloud

TRACK: Sound Of The Underground

YEAR: 2002

GENRE: Pop

DIRECTOR: Phil Griffin

AUDIENCE: 15-25 M+F

VIDEO

LYRICS

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?: This video is entirely performance, there is no narrative. We see the band lip-syncing and then other people in the background playing the guitar and the drums. Then there are some shots of a lightbulb smashing and catching on fire, intercut with the performance footage.

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The whole video is shot in a warehouse, within a metal cage. This links with the title of the song 'Sound Of The Underground'. The walls and floor look quite dirty, again referring to the song title.

PERFORMANCE STYLE: The performance footage looks fairly realistic, as we see close up shots of guitars and drums, and microphones are mostly used for lip-syncing shots. We can also see wires etc which adds to the verisimilitude.

ACT: Jonas Brothers

TRACK: SOS

YEAR: 2007

GENRE: Pop

DIRECTOR: Unknown

AUDIENCE: 12-17 F

VIDEO

LYRICS

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The whole video was shot on a boat, and this fits in with the SOS song title. We see the band perform in a variety of places around the boat, for example the control room, deck etc.

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT? This video is mainly performance with a narrative linked throughout the video. At the beginning of the video we see one of the band members walk away from a date because she brought all her friends, and this also ties in with the lyrics. We then see the second member get a text from a girl, and he then throws it into the bin. We then see the third member of the band wave to a girl, but she is waiting for someone else. The video ends with three different girls walking past and the band run after them.

PERFORMANCE STYLE: There are lots of shots of the band performing, and in each location verisimilitude is kept by using microphones and guitars in the shots. The performances look more realistic as in the majority of shots there is a dancing crowd.

ACT: All Saints

TRACK: Pure Shores

YEAR: 2000

GENRE: Pop

DIRECTOR: Unknown

AUDIENCE: 20-40

VIDEO

LYRICS

underwater shots

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: This video is set on a beach, which links with the title of the video. As shots from a film are also used in the video, there is a range of settings, like beaches in Thailand, and there are also quite a lot of underwater shots from the film. Some scenes were also filmed in a jungle house with bamboo and trees.

scenes from the film

INTERTEXTUALITY: The video features clips from the film The Beach, (featuring Leonardo DiCaprio) as the song features on the soundtrack of the film. The song name also relates to the film title.

the night vision effect is used
frequently

FX: A variety of effects are used throughout the video, mainly the night vision effect. Slow motion transitions are also used throughout the video. The shots and transitions get faster when the pace of the song increases.

EG16: One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful

ACT: One Direction

TRACK: What Makes You Beautiful

YEAR: 2011

DIRECTOR: John Urbano

GENRE: Pop

AUDIENCE: 10-17 F

LYRICS

VIDEO: 

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?: This video is mainly performance, but there is a slight narrative to it. Most of the shots are of the band on a beach lip-syncing, and playing in the sea etc, however there are a few shots of the band meeting up a group of girls and doing things such as playing in the sea and playing with sparklers.


PERFORMANCE STYLE: There is a lack of verisimilitude in the performance footage, as there are no microphones or instruments throughout the whole video.

INTERTEXTUALITY?: Many people have compared this music video to Blink-182's music video for All The Small Things, as it was shot in the same place and also features a boyband doing similar things, and some shots are similar.

similar shot to the blink-182
video

the blink-182 video

 LOOKING/MODE OF ADDRESS: In most of the shots of the band lip syncing, they look directly into the camera to connect with the audience. However, there is a variety of
close up and long shots.

lip-syncing into the camer

a shot of a girl

AUDIENCE IN VID?: There are girls shown in the video, who signify the typical One Direction audience. The main audience of the video would be girls around this age, so they can relate with the girls in the video. 

shot of a girl flipping her hair

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS: Throughout the video there isnt a direct link between the visuals and the lyrics, but for the lyric 'When you flip your hair' we see a layered shot of a girl 'flipping' her hair. Also, we see Harry Styles singing the chorus to one of the girls. 

Harry sings to the girl

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The main location in the video is a beach, but at the beginning of the video we see the band in a VW campervan driving alongside the beach. We also see shots from inside the car of the group of girls as they are driving to the beach.

layering shots

FX: The only use of effects in this video is layering and this is also used as a transition especially from the day-night shots.

EG15 Busted - Air Hostess

ACT: Busted

TRACK: Air Hostess

YEAR: 2003

DIRECTOR: Unknown

GENRE: Pop Punk

AUDIENCE: 12-20 M+F

VIDEO

LYRICS

the band sneak on a plane

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?: This video is a mixture of narrative and performance. The main narrative follows the band sneaking on a plane to see the air hostesses, and then sneaking off the plane when the captain comes into the cabin. Performance footage is inter cut within this, and we see the band lip syncing and playing the drums and guitar. 

close up shot of the uniform

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS:  There is a strong link between the narrative of the video and the lyrics. The main location of the video is on a plane, and we see the band getting the attention of the air hostesses on the flight. When the lyrics 'That uniform you're wearing' appear in the song, there is a close up of the air hostesses uniforms.

the plane location

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The main location for the video is on a plane, and most of the performance footage is shot on the plane. The beginning of the video is shot in an airport to fit in with the lyrics at the beginning of the song 'Walking through the terminal'. There are also several shots in the video of the band performing in front of a plane in the dark, with microphones and all the instruments, and this adds verisimilitude.                                                                                                                             

high-angle shot of lip - syncing

a band member looks into the camera

more personal with the audience

LOOKING/MODE OF ADDRESS: In most of the shots where the band is lip-syncing, they are looking directly into the camera, to create a personal connection with the audience. However there are some high-angle shots of the band singing into microphones. 

the more realistic performance

only guitars with no wires shown

PERFORMANCE STYLE:  There is some performance within the narrative, as some of the band members are lip-syncing whilst acting in the narrative. There are two locations where the band perform, firstly on the plane but when there are no passengers, and only with guitars and secondly outside the plane with microphones and instruments. This second location looks much more realistic as we can see wires and amps, so a better sense of verisimilitude is created. 

PACE: The video is fairly fast paced all throughout, especially during the chorus, and this keeps the audience interested and engaged in the narrative.

two shot

STAR TREATMENT: There isn't a focus on one particular band member in this video, and this is quite unusual as there is normally a focus on one member (usually the lead singer) of a pop band, but there are pretty much equal shots of each band member in the video.

EG14 Destiny's Child - Survivor

ACT: Destiny's Child

TRACK: Survivor

YEAR: 2001

DIRECTOR: Darren Grant

GENRE: R&B

AUDIENCE: 15-40 M+F

VIDEO:

LYRICS

the island setting

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?: This video is a mixture of performance and narrative. The main narrative follows the band who are shipwrecked on an island, and they learn how to 'survive' throughout the video, before getting rescued at the end. The performance shots are inter cut throughout the narrative.

a shot of the group hunting

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS: There is a strong link between the lyrics and the visuals. The video shows the three members of the band on a deserted island, and there are several shots of them going hunting to survive on the island.

in most of the shots, Beyonce is
at the front in the middle

the other members sing backing
while Beyonce sings most of the lyrics

STAR TREATMENT: As Beyonce is the lead singer of the group, the majority of shots are of her. Because she also sings most of the lyrics throughout the song, most of the lip-syncing shots are of her. In the shots with the two other members of the band, she is mostly always central and slightly ahead of the other two members.

the beach setting

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video takes place on what looks like a deserted island, and this is the only location throughout the video. There are a few different locations on the island where the video is shot. We see them on a beach, and performing a dance routine in front of a tomb. There are also several shots of the three members in a raft waving for help. At the end of the video, there is a shot of them getting into a helicopter and flying off into the sunset.

revealing clothing

MALE GAZE: There are a lot of close up shots of each of the members bodies, as they are all wearing quite revealing clothing, in the style of bikinis. This signifies that the main audience would be male.

Kelly Rowland winks into
the camera whilst lip-syncing

LOOKING/MODE OF ADDRESS: In all of the shots of the band lip-syncing, they are looking into the camera. This creates a connection with the audience, and in a one shot one of the band members winks into the camera. 

high angle shot of the dance routine

DIRECTOR STYLE: Darren Grant is an American film and music video director. He has directed over eighty music videos for mostly R&B and Hip Hop artists.He has directed 8 music videos for Destiny's Child in total, and all of his videos feature a mix of narrative and performance, and usually they feature a hip-hop dance routine.

Codes and Conventions Vodcast

EG9-13 Music Video Analyses

ACT: Lana Del Rey
TRACK: Blue Jeans
YEAR: 2012
DIRECTOR: Yoann Lemoine
GENRE: Surf Rock
AUDIENCE: 15-30, M+F

VIDEO:

the ending is left unclear

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT: This video includes some performance footage of Lana Del Rey lip-syncing, however the majority of the video is concept, as the visuals have no connection to the lyrics of the song. A crocodile appears in some shots throughout the video, and it could be seen as a metaphor for her love interest in the video, Bradley Soileau. Soileau has previously appeared in Lana Del Rey's music video for Born To Die, again playing her love interest. The outcome of the video is left unclear, as there is a possible drowning. 

rippled underwater effect

use of reflecting light

FX: The entire music video was shot in black and white, which adds to the moody, quite sad feel of the song. It also changes the time period, as Lana Del Rey is famous for her retro style, and the black and white adds to this effect. There are also some shots throughout the video which have an underwater rippling type effect, adding to the theme of the video. The transitions between shots are normal, however a lot of slow motion is used. Light is also used in an interesting way, as most of the shots of Lana Del Rey and Soileau have light reflected from the rippling water on their faces/bodies.

1950's style hair and makeup

the 1950's style setting

shots of the crocodile

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video is set by the poolside of a 1950's home. Lana Del Rey often uses period settings in her videos. Her hair and make-up also have a 1950's style. This is the only location throughout the whole video, and this possibly adds to the effect of the video. A crocodile is also shown in the video, and the shots of Soileau are deliberately placed before and after the shots of the crocodile.

ACT: The White Stripes
TRACK: Seven Nation Army
YEAR: 2003
DIRECTOR: Alex & Martin
GENRE: Garage Rock
AUDIENCE: 15-50, M+F

VIDEO:

marching soldiers

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS: The only link between the lyrics and the visuals we see is a computer generated image of an army of toy soldiers, which relates to the title 'Seven Nation Army'.

shot of the drums

PERFORMANCE STYLE: This video is only performance, and we see no narrative. The performance looks realistic, as the shot of the drums and the guitar are synced so there is no verisimilitude lost. There are no close up shots of the instrument or the artists as the video is one continuous shot.

the electric spark effect

PACE:The pace of the video changes with the music, and the triangle kaleidoscope effect moves more quickly. There is also a electric spark effect which makes the whole shot look more energetic as there is more on screen moving. A flash effect is also used during the guitar solo to create the look of more energy. 

ACT: Kanye West
TRACK: Mercy
YEAR: 2012
DIRECTOR: Nabil Elderkin
GENRE: Hip-Hop
AUDIENCE: 15-25, M+F

VIDEO:

Kanye West appears in the video 3
times in one shot

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT:  This video is mainly performance, with some elements of concept also. We see all of the artists that feature on the track lip-syncing, and it looks believable. Apart from the Lamborghini, there are no other visuals that relate to the lyrics.

a lamborghini gallardo is the only
prop

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The music video appears to be shot in a large parking garage, and we see a Lamborghini Gallardo appear in the background several times. The rest of the video is quite minimalistic. Artists such as Kid Cudi and Mr Hudson appear in the music video wearing turban style head pieces, even though they don't feature on the track.    

transition effect at the end of the video

FX: The whole video was shot in black and white, and there are no other effects throughout the video, apart from when we see Kanye West appear three times on the screen, all lip-syncing. There are no transitions in the video as it is all one continuous shot. However, at the end of the song, a Lamborghini drives through the shot, and after it passes all the artists are gone from the shot.

ACT: DJ Fresh VS Diplo
TRACK: Earthquake
YEAR: 2013
DIRECTOR: Jonas & Francois
GENRE: Trap
AUDIENCE: 15-25, M+F

VIDEO:

the 1st shot of the 'superheros'

DJ Fresh appears in the video

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT: This video is a mixture of narrative and performance. We see 6 "superheros" walking through the streets of New York, while the main vocalist Dominique Young Unique lip syncs throughout the whole video. An animated 'slime monster' is also shown in some shots, but doesn't actually do much. The main artists DJ Fresh and Diplo both appear briefly in the video also. At the end the group of "hero's" overlook New York as they stand in a line.

Diplo also appears briefly

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video was shot in New York, USA and features some typical NY props, such as the yellow taxis. Right from the start of the video we can tell by the costumes that there is a superhero theme.

a billboard poster for Kick Ass 2

INTERTEXTUALITY: In the video there are a couple of shots of a poster for the recently released Kick Ass 2 film. An edited version of the song with extra production and sound effects features in the film under the name "Motherquake".

ACT: Nero
TRACK: Reaching Out
YEAR: 2011
DIRECTOR: Unknown
GENRE: Dubstep
AUDIENCE: 15-25 M+F

VIDEO:

the beginning of the video resembles
an 80s tv show opening sequence

original stock footage is used

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT: This video is purely concept, as there is no performance footage or real narrative. As the song samples a couple of 80's songs, the video heavily references the opening sequences for 80's TV series, such as Miami Vice, and uses original stock footage to build a TV title sequence narrative. The video stars all the members of Nero, as well as lead vocalist Daryl Hall.

transitions like this are used frequently
throughout the video

FX: The video is very heavy with effects, possibly to add to the cheesy 80's feel of the video. Many over the top transitions are used, such as the kaleidoscope effect. The Nero logo often appears layered over shots throughout the video. 

the Nero logo appears in many shots

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video is suggestively set in Miami or a similar beach-city, as shots of Miami signs and skyscraper beach hotels are shown all throughout the video. The people shown in the video all have hair and make-up in an 80's style, and so are the costumes.

there is a shot of a Miami sign