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A2 Music Video Analysis

Final Cut from WGSB on Vimeo.

This first music video starts off very strong with a flashing close up of a very simple face. This immediately enables the audience to identify the significance the character may have within the music video. Also the harsh contrast between the black background and the bright white flashing light almost creates a sense of emergency as though the audience should quickly pay attention to the character. The slow zoom in follows shortly after however is very effective as it creates suspense for the audience as they are unaware of what is too follow this shot. The editing used to make the face change from having clown make up to being very simple firstly elicits an element of shock into the audience however it then highlights that this may potentially be an important feature throughout the video. The following shot is very establishing and begins to add a narrative to the video as the simple face gradually reveals more clown makeup. Also the switch of the black background to a white background still using contrasting colours reveals more to the audience and makes everything stand out more. The overlaying transition technique being used whilst the character franticly shakes their head is very effective as it creates a more unsettling atmosphere for the audience. The use of fast cuts between the simple character and the clown mask helps the music video fit a generic convention as the cuts are in time with the beat of the music. This also helps build the narrative between the simple character and the clown. The use of long and wide shots enable the audience to notice everything that is going on within a scene also identifying how isolated the simple character and the clown are making the simple character appear to be vulnerable. However the shot also contains balloons that have been partially highlighted, however they are not always highlighted making them appear to be irrelevant and have no significant role within the narrative. However the use of the fast cuts showing the simple character wrapped in toilet tissue could present the narrative that the clown is playing mental mind games however they are showing it in a physical and stereotypical way. Also the fact that these cuts are in sync with the music emphasises the beat of the song. The use of the other character with clown makeup and the simple character applying clown makeup in a realistic setting is representative of the effect the clown is having and showing the power the clown has to the audience. The use of slow motion within this music video also makes the audience focus on the idea of the simple character being vulnerable and weak. The shot of the simple character standing there as time goes by is a good technique as it can make the character appear to be disturbed. However the fact that the shot lacks relevance to the rest of the music video stops it from having a harmonious flow. The uses of the split fades are effective as they show confusion and panic. Overall this music video is very good and I would personally place it in band 3, however many of the shots displayed good technique but were unrelated to the music video, which prevented the music video from having a seamless flow. Also the narrative was able to display a relationship between the simple character and the clown however it didn’t reveal to the audience how or why there was a relationship making it appear as the clown was unnecessary.

This second music video starts with a close up shot of the guitar playing in time with the song presenting a much more generic and artistic theme from the beginning of the music video. Following this shot is a wide shot of all member of the band however the fact that every member is a different size, however the bigger they were the more was cropped off of them could have shown the audience that they are equal member just in very different ways. This different way of displaying a performance shot is instantly enticing. The close up of the girl allows the audience to identify that she will have a key role to play within the music video. The fact that there are jump cuts between the band performing in a frame on a wall and close ups of the girls hands and a paint brush immediately builds a narrative that the girl is an artist and the band are her art. The wide shot that follows this also reinforces this idea and allows the audience to see many features that may be involved within the music video. The close up shots of painting body parts add to the narrative without revealing too much information to the audience and one time. Also the close up shot of the lead singer performing allows this video to immediately fall into in the genre of pop video as it contains classic conventions of pop music videos. The fast cuts of the wide shots of each member of the band at the front emphasises on the idea of each member having a significant and equal role.  The fact that the artists are performing in a frame is representative of the fact that their music and performance is a form of art just as paintings are art. The use of synchronized fast cut between each shot adds to the pop genre conventions as well as keeping the temp up for the audience taking what could be a boring still shot into something more musical and exciting for the audience. The use of the bright white background used in all of the shots stops the video from becoming over complicated and highlights only the significant features within the music video. The use of combining the band and the art is a variety of ways means that they are able to be seen throughout many of the shots within the music video. It also showcases the different editing techniques as they as shown as important aspects of each shot.  The use of primary colours against the white background and the stereotypical wide shots of the band stop the video from becoming over complex and because it isn’t busy it forces the audience to focus on the band and the music instead of being distracted by an intense narrative. The costume used by the band is very realistic which an element many boy bands like feature within their music videos as this makes them more relatable to their audience. The fact that this idea has been feature in this A2 music video shows the research that has been done into the genre and make the video look like it could be professional. This music video contains a good narrative is representative of the art (music) the band creates, the quality of the editing techniques and shots used are very professional and make the video appear to be a generic pop video. However the use of the repetitive shots and scenes can make the music video tedious as there is not much else for the audience to see and the narrative is not very exciting even though this is often a feature of music videos.