‘Mountains’ Biffy Clyro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfzwM4pdyxU (Unable to embed)
At the start of this music video we think that this is going to be a mellow, quiet song because of the piano that is being played and the individual singer dressed all in black. From the beginning we see elements of black and white, for example on the piano and through the titles which introduce the band’s name and the name of the song.
The video and the song then step up a gear through the introduction of guitars and drums, which we see the band playing as the music changes, again the theme of black and white is seen but this time on the floor, which looks as if it would not be out of place in a 60’s diner. There are many close ups and zooms of the band throughout as well as over the shoulder shots, showing one guitarist while we focus on the one in front of him, giving us an idea of the faced paced music and the emotions of the musicians.
We then see more figures dressed in black and white, through medium shots and close ups, suggesting to us that in fact these people represent chess pieces and that is why we see the common theme of black and white. The idea of the video being set on a chess board is reinforced when we see what seems to be a king of the black side of the chess board sitting on his throne being protected by other chess pieces; this is shown through a medium shot giving us the chance to see who this really is. This is again represented on the white side of the chess board.
The camera flicks between the kings as they sing and we see other chess pieces fighting it out, to gain ground just as you would in real life. The pieces are being controlled by the kings from a chess board being handed to them by a servant, this is shown through a medium to low angled shot, signifying their power.
Throughout the video we still see members of the band through the usual close up and medium shots. The narrative is very repetitive until the video ends when the two powerful kings come face to face through a medium shot. It is very obvious that throughout the video, black and white is a common theme and that not everything is as it always seems. The video does not tend to relate to the 'Male Gaze Theory' by Laura Mulvey as there are no obvious female roles in the video. On the other hand, Andrew Goodwins theory in relation to music videos is shown in this video, the story that we follow is through a game of chess, giving us the idea that life isnt as straight forward as it seems, there are no clear relationships between lyrics and visuals and music and visuals, there are many close ups of the band, although this is only really of the lead singer.
The video and the song then step up a gear through the introduction of guitars and drums, which we see the band playing as the music changes, again the theme of black and white is seen but this time on the floor, which looks as if it would not be out of place in a 60’s diner. There are many close ups and zooms of the band throughout as well as over the shoulder shots, showing one guitarist while we focus on the one in front of him, giving us an idea of the faced paced music and the emotions of the musicians.
We then see more figures dressed in black and white, through medium shots and close ups, suggesting to us that in fact these people represent chess pieces and that is why we see the common theme of black and white. The idea of the video being set on a chess board is reinforced when we see what seems to be a king of the black side of the chess board sitting on his throne being protected by other chess pieces; this is shown through a medium shot giving us the chance to see who this really is. This is again represented on the white side of the chess board.
The camera flicks between the kings as they sing and we see other chess pieces fighting it out, to gain ground just as you would in real life. The pieces are being controlled by the kings from a chess board being handed to them by a servant, this is shown through a medium to low angled shot, signifying their power.
Throughout the video we still see members of the band through the usual close up and medium shots. The narrative is very repetitive until the video ends when the two powerful kings come face to face through a medium shot. It is very obvious that throughout the video, black and white is a common theme and that not everything is as it always seems. The video does not tend to relate to the 'Male Gaze Theory' by Laura Mulvey as there are no obvious female roles in the video. On the other hand, Andrew Goodwins theory in relation to music videos is shown in this video, the story that we follow is through a game of chess, giving us the idea that life isnt as straight forward as it seems, there are no clear relationships between lyrics and visuals and music and visuals, there are many close ups of the band, although this is only really of the lead singer.
This Is War’ 30 Seconds to Mars:
The video starts with a quote from H.G Wells telling us that if we do not end war, it will end us. This makes the viewer wonder whether this is really true and how serious the effect of it could be.
The video then goes into a satellite image view of the world, making the viewer feel as if they are there seeing what is actually going on, this also gives the idea that you are always being watched, wherever you are. The satellite finds a military vehicle, which has members of the band dressed as actors in driving through the desert in full combat uniform.
We then see a soldier’s silhouette against the sunset. This adds effect because a sun set is usually thought of as being in a nice place, for example on holiday, yet it also has connotations with romance and love as couples watch the sun set from a high point, although of course this is not the message in this video, because it is set during conflict. There are many medium and close up shots of the vehicle as it drives at speed; this also includes pans as the vehicle speeds past the camera. We also see close ups of the actors whilst in the vehicle giving us a visual representation of their emotions.
This then changes to thermal imaging camera of an insurgent dropping a weapon, showing us that battles are not just fought by men, but machines as well. The video then goes into a series of pictures that correspond with the lyrics to support the song. We see a Second World War battle with “soldier” written in the bottom left hand corner. This theme is then continued with more images of different scenes. For example we see civilians rushing about with the word “civilian” placed on the screen which is followed by an extremist sporting the words “martyr” and then “victim” with people running away.
This gives us the idea that it is not only soldiers that are hurt throughout war but others are affected too. Throughout the clips we see small segments of the actor miming words to the camera to remind us that this is in-fact a music video. Throughout this music video we continually see pictures with lyrics on as mentioned earlier. This shows us different people’s views on others as well as war, it persuades the audience to believe what the band are telling them through visual and verbal communication. The video is very repetitive showing clips of the speeding vehicle and the soldier against the sun set.
The video then goes into a satellite image view of the world, making the viewer feel as if they are there seeing what is actually going on, this also gives the idea that you are always being watched, wherever you are. The satellite finds a military vehicle, which has members of the band dressed as actors in driving through the desert in full combat uniform.
We then see a soldier’s silhouette against the sunset. This adds effect because a sun set is usually thought of as being in a nice place, for example on holiday, yet it also has connotations with romance and love as couples watch the sun set from a high point, although of course this is not the message in this video, because it is set during conflict. There are many medium and close up shots of the vehicle as it drives at speed; this also includes pans as the vehicle speeds past the camera. We also see close ups of the actors whilst in the vehicle giving us a visual representation of their emotions.
This then changes to thermal imaging camera of an insurgent dropping a weapon, showing us that battles are not just fought by men, but machines as well. The video then goes into a series of pictures that correspond with the lyrics to support the song. We see a Second World War battle with “soldier” written in the bottom left hand corner. This theme is then continued with more images of different scenes. For example we see civilians rushing about with the word “civilian” placed on the screen which is followed by an extremist sporting the words “martyr” and then “victim” with people running away.
This gives us the idea that it is not only soldiers that are hurt throughout war but others are affected too. Throughout the clips we see small segments of the actor miming words to the camera to remind us that this is in-fact a music video. Throughout this music video we continually see pictures with lyrics on as mentioned earlier. This shows us different people’s views on others as well as war, it persuades the audience to believe what the band are telling them through visual and verbal communication. The video is very repetitive showing clips of the speeding vehicle and the soldier against the sun set.
Throughout the video we also see many clips of battles that have taken place between America and probably Iraqi troops. There are clips of explosions, gun battles and artillery cannons firing at the enemy. This gives the audience the idea again that battles are no longer man against man.
The video follows this pattern of showing us the main character along with his vehicle and then clips of battles that have taken place, this all relates to showing how human beings are affected by war. I would say that overall this music video focuses more on the narrative elements of the music videos rather than performance as we do not see the band playing but one figure miming lyrics.
The video does not tend to relate to the 'Male Gaze Theory' by Laura Mulvey as there are no obvious female roles in the video, most notably becasue women cannot be frontline soldiers. On the other hand, Andrew Goodwins theory in relation to music videos is dominant in this video, the story that we follow is of a solider in the desert, most probably Afghanistan, and the war that he is in. There are clear relationships between lyrics and visuals becasue many of the lyrics are represented in actions and words that appear on screen. Music and visuals also have a relaionship because the series of images shown change with the pace of the music, there are many close ups of the lead singer as he seems to be playing the lead role in the narrative of the story.
The video follows this pattern of showing us the main character along with his vehicle and then clips of battles that have taken place, this all relates to showing how human beings are affected by war. I would say that overall this music video focuses more on the narrative elements of the music videos rather than performance as we do not see the band playing but one figure miming lyrics.
The video does not tend to relate to the 'Male Gaze Theory' by Laura Mulvey as there are no obvious female roles in the video, most notably becasue women cannot be frontline soldiers. On the other hand, Andrew Goodwins theory in relation to music videos is dominant in this video, the story that we follow is of a solider in the desert, most probably Afghanistan, and the war that he is in. There are clear relationships between lyrics and visuals becasue many of the lyrics are represented in actions and words that appear on screen. Music and visuals also have a relaionship because the series of images shown change with the pace of the music, there are many close ups of the lead singer as he seems to be playing the lead role in the narrative of the story.
‘I Predict A Riot’ Kaiser Chiefs:
The video starts by showing us the band setting up in front of large spotlights and speakers. We are shown this through a series of close ups and panning shots as microphones are attached to stands and guitars plugged into amps.
This is integrated into a series of short clips, mixed with shots of people stealing pillows from numerous places, such as shops and bedrooms. We see this through medium shots as well as close ups of pillows of all shapes and sizes. This links in with the title of the song, it seems as if a riot is being "predicted" when items are being stolen.
We also see many close ups of elements within the band, such as canted angles of the instruments being played and close up of the drummers feet whilst he is playing the bass drum. We then continue to see more people with pillows, but this time they are commuting via public transport or walking in groups. This is shown through medium shots and close ups as well as some long shots.
These are on our screens for very short amounts of time, but it would not be right to class them as jump cuts as they do not focus on one person travelling in one direction. This again relates well to predicting a riot as it seems as if many people are coming to one place, but in this case the “riot” is a gig. Again we see many shots of the band mainly through close ups and medium shots giving us an idea that this video is mainly focusing on the performance category of music videos with elements of the narrative included, because it mainly focuses on the band rather than telling us a story.
This is integrated into a series of short clips, mixed with shots of people stealing pillows from numerous places, such as shops and bedrooms. We see this through medium shots as well as close ups of pillows of all shapes and sizes. This links in with the title of the song, it seems as if a riot is being "predicted" when items are being stolen.
We also see many close ups of elements within the band, such as canted angles of the instruments being played and close up of the drummers feet whilst he is playing the bass drum. We then continue to see more people with pillows, but this time they are commuting via public transport or walking in groups. This is shown through medium shots and close ups as well as some long shots.
These are on our screens for very short amounts of time, but it would not be right to class them as jump cuts as they do not focus on one person travelling in one direction. This again relates well to predicting a riot as it seems as if many people are coming to one place, but in this case the “riot” is a gig. Again we see many shots of the band mainly through close ups and medium shots giving us an idea that this video is mainly focusing on the performance category of music videos with elements of the narrative included, because it mainly focuses on the band rather than telling us a story.
As the video continues we see many more clips of the band through the usual proceedings of close ups and medium shots with some canted angles thrown in for good measure. The video then changes and joins together the narrative and the performance to make the video look like a concert, it is also here that we find out the reason for the pillows that have been stolen and taken to the concert. A huge pillow fight breaks out between the audiences supporting the name of the song “I Predict A Riot” the feathers that break from the pillow lining symbolise the damage and mayhem that is being caused without actually breaking or damaging anything, creating meaning through the mise-en-scene. The effect of this on the viewer is that they can see destruction without danger. Throughout the pillow fight, slow motion is used to show emotions as well as natural phenomena watching the impact of the pillow hitting an individual and seeing the feathers scatter.
The video does not tend to relate to the 'Male Gaze Theory' by Laura Mulvey as there are no obvious female roles in the video becuase although in parts of the video when we do see females, they are often dressed in a fashionable to satisfy a male. In relation to Andrew Goodwins theory of music videos, the story that we follow seems to be the publicising of a concert that erupts when it is on supporting the song name of "I Predict a Riot" there are no clear relationships between lyrics and visuals and music and visuals, there are many close ups of the band, including all members with instruments.
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