Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Analysis of Rock Video 3 - Green Day Jesus Of Suburbia


This video is a slightly more darker than the Paramore one, many of the shots are focused on this young rebellious boy who fits the stereotype of someone who listens to rock. He has black hair, dark eye make up and dark clothes he looks as it he doesn't seem to care about his appearance and his actions throughout the video seem rude and careless. This video is some what different to the typical rock video, the band is barely the little screen time they have is when a tv is shown with them playing on it, showing the boy is supposedly a fan of theirs. The low angle shot of the television connotes he is someone that looks up to them, they may be his idols and he follows in their footsteps.


Many of the shots show the boy in a toilet or a park that have both been ruined, walls have been graffitied  on and things will be broken and unusable this creates the uneasy and destructed atmosphere. The mise en scene makes this video an effective promotion for the song as it almost matches with the harsh, loud music that creates a dark and destructive feel. The song is quite heavy going; the drums and guitar are the most identifiable instruments playing, they create an angry and antagonizing song. The words 'city of the dead' and 'no one seems to care' are repeated throughout the song, which gives it the depressing and neglected feel. 
The editing has been used effectively in this video, there are a lot of fast cuts used during the end various shots flash creating a sense of insecurity and chaos. There are many match on action shots whilst the boy is writing on the walls of the toilet, this makes it clear to the audience what he is doing and what it says. 

Analysis of Rock Video 2 - Paramore Monster


The Paramore music video for their song monster is quite different to the Nickel Back rock video, although many elements of this video are quite dark they are also seen in lighter and brighter situations. The aren't as many shots focusing on the band playing their instruments either, the main attraction is the lead singer who is either singing or acting. I feel this music video is slightly more creepy than sad and depressive, some of the locations look as if they are a set of a horror scene for example the abandoned hospital and the church. These aren't the typical locations for a rock music video however I think they are a successful promotion tool for the song as they are in complete contrast with the typical rock studio or dark room however they still fit the dark and eerie rock style. The mise en scene is what makes this video; whilst they are running through the hospital there are explosions from behind and the whole place is falling down, causing the video to be quite tense and thiller like.

I like how the video opens, there isn't an established shot used as such however the location and the people are revealed by quick cuts of pans over certain body parts. As you can see at the very beginning they are in water I think its makes it quite magical and brings a sense of wonder and mystery into it.



I think the 6th screen grab is very well composed, the way in which the camera is positioned showing the whole of the hospital corridor gives the shot a lot of depth it looks as if it is never ending. The lighting in this is very well position, as she walks out into the corridor half of her body is in light and half isn't, it looks like she is walking into the darkness portraying something bad will happen.

Analysis of Rock Video 1 - Nickel Back How You Remind Me


This video has all of the conventions that is associated with a typical rock band, making it a highly effective promotion for the song. The main color scheme used in this video is black which is generally known to be a favoured colour used in rock videos. There is little lighting throughout the video, only the face and instruments are highlighted. This sense of darkness brings a depressive and cold atmosphere to the video and its viewers. A few of the shots look as if they are tinted a slightly blue colour which isn't necessarily seen in other rock videos as blue is generally quite a calm colour. I think that the video begins to become slightly more positive towards the end as the colour seems to lighten and bring more of a warmth to the shots.

Many of the shots are focused on the lead singer with the band situated behind him this is highly typical of rock bands. They are shown playing their instruments where as in pop music videos it is unlikely for the artists to be seen with their bands. In this video each band member has their own shot, the third screen grab shows a   birds eye view of the drummer, I think this shot is effective as it is easier to see his actions than it would be if the camera was in front of him.

I feel there has been alot of effort put into the band performance and their action shows the true emotion which is seemingly frustration and anger, which also makes it an effective promotion of the song. The lyrics say, 'I've been wrong, I've been down to the bottom of every bottle' connoting he has been 'drowning his sorrows' by turning to alcohol for an escape of pain and loss of the girl he is supposedly singing about.

Analysis of Pop Video 3 - Katy Perry Hot N Cold


Katy Perry's Hot N Cold video is a very enjoyable music video to watch, it is almost a thought or a story that plays in the head of the groom. This video is quite fast paced and upbeat with the music, there are many different locations ranging from a church, an alley and a night club. It is a very busy video and there is many people involved, making it more interesting to watch. The colours in this video are very vibrant, this is typical of Katy Perry as she is usually associated with happy, bright colours and positive/imaginative locations. The main colour scheme in this video is white and pink causing it to be quite feminine and girly, it could also connote the innocence and fun of it as it is almost a fantasy world. 

The costumes in this video add to the fantasy feel to it, Katy's wedding dress is actually a play suit with a train and an oversized bow on the front, this makes the video quite fun and not so serious as this isn't what you would see at a real life wedding. It seems as if the whole video has been taken from a child's story book/ fantasy world, she is seen walking into the street with a zebra following at her side, acting as a horse would with a rainbow in the sky. I feel this brings the video to have a playful and humourous side to it.

Analysis of Pop Video 2 - Rihanna What's My Name


This video is in contrast to the 'Price Tag' video in terms of pop music, Rihanna's video has several different locations which is usually an essential convention for a music video to avoid viewer fatigue. She is seen in her modern flat and walking the streets of New York connoting she is a city girl, who lives the high life with money and fame. The fourth screen grab shows a high angle shot of the bustling city, which also shows her as having high confidence and self esteem as she is further seen dancing down the side walk. There are several costume changes throughout this video which is a another way of avoiding viewer fatigue and making the video more exiting and overwhelming depending on how outrageous they are. The first outfit worn in this video is slightly more suggestive and connotes sex appeal this fits the song 'What's my name' and makes it a promotional video.

The main colour focus in this video is red, not only the colour of her hair makes this stand out but also accessories, clothing and the smoke seen in the eighth screen grab. The colour red connotes love, romance and possibly lust which complements the song lyrics which are based on a relationship. There are many different shots in this video, each of which have a seperate purpose. For example the close ups are more sensual and portray the emotion and lust between the two, this is shown in the last screen grab. Long and mid shots are used to show the action such as the dance routines which takes place in the street, I feel this brings a   positive and uplifting vibe to the video as she is watched by passers by in the street.

The rule of thirds can be used on the sixth screen grab, with Rihanna on the left the wine glasses in the centre and Drake on the right. I feel this is a beautifully composed shot as the light shines through the window in the background enlightening their faces bringing a sense of happiness and celebration.

Analysis of Pop Video 1 - Jessie J Price Tag


Jessie J's Price Tag video is a good example of pop music videos, it is fun and bouncy also bright and colourful. This video hasn't been filmed in certain places and the locations do not change however there is an alternating coloured background that avoids viewer fatigue. The pink, blue and purple pastel colours bring a light and happy atmosphere that compliments the song. There are a range of shots that are used, for example the fourth screen grab shows a close up that focuses on her beaming smile. I like this shot as it shows the audience the song has an uplifting feel to it. Pop music videos are typically happy and positive compared to other genres of music which is why this video fits its genre perfectly.

Although his song features B.O.B Jessie J has the majority of screen time, she seems to be highly energetic and powerful whilst she is performing. Throughout the video she is seen in the centre of the screen which causes the main focus to be on her. This particular video is quite different and quirky, the props are made up of giant childrens toys for example the bear, the human puppets and the music box. This may cause the video to have a slightly wider audience, younger children are likely to be atractcted to it. I also feel that these child like props and behaviour highlights her beauty and innocence, whereas other pop videos may be slightly more promiscuous and be focused on sex appeal.