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Video Analysis
The song we have
chosen for our preliminary task is ‘Hold Back the River’, by James Bay, the
genre for which is Indie Rock. So, in preparation we have analysed various
music videos within this genre.
The Killers, ‘Mr Brightside’:
Good or bad?
This video was
completed by the band The Killers. The aspect that makes this video successful
is the use of cutaway shots between the narrative and the band performance
itself. The narrative in its own right is a linear narrative, which, when
combined with the alienating cutaways, could be considered unique within a
music video, particularly when more modern music video narratives are becoming
less and less linear. The use of quick cuts draws the audience in and
encourages their involvement with the love story and complements the fast pace
(which in itself makes us more inclined to carry on watching the music video).
The video works successfully alongside the music and attempts to play on the
emotional attachments of the audience via the sympathetic linear narrative.
Original?
Original?
This music video could
be considered to have both commonly used and original aspects. The linear narrative
and love story could be considered unoriginal due to a high percentage of music
videos adopting this structure and plot. However, the costumes and themes used
are very unique to the video, with contrasting bright and garish colours
juxtaposing the melancholy plot depicted; as opposed to other music videos of
this narrative, which have used darkened locations and costumes, and have
carefully constructed their Mise-en-scene in order to reflect this. Overall, I think
the music video and the impression it leaves is unique and original.
Does it engage with the audience?
Does it engage with the audience?
It does engage with
the audience, as the use of a contrasting Mise-en-scene and narrative; fast
paced jump cuts allows it to keep up with the tempo of an indie rock music video,
and therefore engages the audience.
Keane, ‘Somewhere Only We
Know’:
Good or bad?
The majority of the
video focused on the band performance itself, however there was a small amount
of linier narrative of the band’s journey to where they were at the time of the
video (a particularly high point in their career). Due to the use of
predominantly medium shots, it felt like there was little engagement within the
music video itself to the audience without a strong narrative composed
alongside the band’s performance. However, the use of animation within the live
action footage is extremely unique, thus leaving the audience intrigued. This
is emphasized by the use of Chiaroscuro lighting
towards the end, which leaves a mysterious atmosphere and immerses within the
scene itself, which compliments the song’s tempo and the lyrics themselves.
Original?
Original?
The use of just
performance of the band can be classed as unoriginal, however via its use of animation
and Chiaroscuro lighting with
a multiple extreme settings to emphasize the otherwise minor plot detailing the
band’s success does add to the originality. However, I think without a more prominent
narrative, this particular music video fails to stand out from the rest.
Does it engage with the audience?
Overall, I think it
engages more with avid band followers, due to the primary focus on the band’s
performance without a prominent narrative (which therefore shows the benefits
of such a structure).
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