Analysing Music Videos

To gain a more broader knowledge on music videos we were given a task to analyse 3 music videos in two genres. I decided to choose the genre I listen to and then another to get different results on the video. I have analysed the videos which consist of if the video is a narrative, what performance style is it, the casting/ characters, mise-en-scene, animation/ technology, editing in images and sound and camera work.

Drake- Over

This music video is not a narrative, it is a performance clip. In the video there is one main singer, one female dancer and one female actress who is seen in snippets. The music video is filmed in a bedroom and in a room where there is just lighting. These two places seem as if it is a studio due to the artificial lighting, and the background of the room as it is just a black background. The lighting is dull and there is only lamps on. The people involved in the filming are wearing casual clothing and the main person changes a various times, at one point he is wearing all white, another with just a red jacket and another couple of shots with a zip up on, he changes to make it more interesting and to emphasise the shots are different.

Camera angles and effects used in the filming include:

• Body silhouette which have images inside
• Moving images on the wall
• Lyrics on the black screen
• Montage of images
• Dissolves
• Focus pull
• Reflection

A range of framework is used such as close ups and medium long shots. Different camera angles are also used to make the video more interesting and not the same throughout, this is done through the use of side shots, establishing shots and forward tracking.

Frank Ocean- Swim Good
This music video is also a performance clip however it is a narrative clip unlike the video above. There is only two people in this video; the singer and short clips of female; who is a lover. The video is set in real life as it is outdoors by an ocean and there is so much detail that it would be too hard to fake as well as the outdoors the singer is driving and then there are shots of a room with a girl. The lighting seems real and artificial because firstly it is outdoors and then it has an off peak colour which seems fake. The singer in the video is wearing a dark orange cloak and holds a samurai sword as a prop. There is titles on the screen which are used to state the title of the song, the artist and the record label.
Camera angles and effects used in the filming include:

• Car blowing up
• Slow motion water
• Montage of snippets
• Blackouts
• Cutaways
• Close ups
• Vertical tracking
• Zoom in
• Point of view
• Forward tracking
• Establishing shots
• Side shots
• Long shots
• High angles.

These range of camera views make the video more advanced and makes the audience want to watch the video as it is different and more interesting. As well as a variety of camera angles, different framing was used such as the extreme close up and zooms in.

Kid Cudi- Pursuit of Happiness
This music video is narrative in some way but is also a performance clip. There is a main singer and friend whom sings a little as well as people drinking and dancing. This video is different to the two above as they have one- three people whereas this video has many more. The video could be set in a real life club as there is no point doing it in a studio as the detail is too vivid and it would make it look more realistic. The lighting is natural however as a club tends to be dark artificial lighting was used to see the action clearly. Props include alcohol and celebratery items and the actors are dressed up mainly in black as if they were on a night out. Many effects were used such as the sparks in the background, the blurred shots implying drunkness, the slow motion which emphasises the action taking place. The range of camera angles and effects are the codes and conventions of a music video as they have to fit the song and make it more appealing to watch.
Camera angles and effects used in the filming include:

• Cutaways to another shot
• Montage
• Focus pulls
• Pans
• Close ups
• Establishing shot
• Vertical tracking
• Horizontal track
• Zoom ins

Lady Gaga- Edge of Glory
This video is not a narrative but it is a performance clip. There is only one person in the video which the camera is on most of the time however there are some people sitting around on the streets; putting all the attention on the singer. The location of the video is an uptown New York city however the streets could either by real life or studio as the the buildings are not in full detail. The lighting is very dark and artificial with street lights on however these are very dull too. The costume the femal singer is wearing is a black, short courset which shows her fierecness and doesnt care what others think; showing dominance. The effect of pink smoke is used which is artifical.

Camera angles used in the filming include:

• Establishing shot
• Close up
• Forward tracking
• Pans
• Horizontal tracking
• Low angle
• Zoom in

Adele- Someone Like You

This music video is not a narrative, it is a live performance at the Brit Awards 2012. There is only the singer and pianist on stage but then the whole audience. The lighting is all natural due to being a live performance. She is wearing a black sophisiticated dress which fits in the theme of an awards ceremony. The clapping of the audience at the end of the video also makes the filming very realistic.

Camera angles and effects used in the filming include:

• Pans
• E.L.S
• Focus pull
• Side shot
• Zoom in
• Vertical tracking
• Reverse tracking
• Close up
• Aerial/ high pans

One Direction- What Makes You Beautiful
This music video is a narrative as well as a performance. This is done by acting and signing into the camera standing in one area. The song is sung by a boy band and they are the main people in the video but girls appear later on in the video. The song is located on a beach, where it is very sunny and relaxed. The lighting is natural throughout however it may be artifical later on when it gets darker. The costume and props is very simplistic by the five boys just wearing casual beach clothes.

Camera angles and effects used in the filming include:

• Black fade in
• Colour change when music starts
• Montage
• Fades
• Horizontal tracking
• Pans
• Side shot
• Establishing shot
• 360 turn
• Low angle

In conclusion, after researching in depth about Sven E Carsson's theory of 'Mythical Embodiment' and exploring the analysis of these music videos I have identified a pattern within most of these videos. Most of the videos include 'Commericial Exhibitionist', many of the singers apply to the mainstream of clothing and behavior and are stereotypical about it, with some videos such as Lady Gaga; Edge of Glory wearing clothing that may not be suitable for the mainstream of society.

Author: Kiran Paul