Textual analysis of music videos similar to the one I want to create

Analysis of music videos similar to the one I want to create

1. Hypersonic Missiles

Artist: Sam Fender

Director: Vincent Haycock

Cinematography

This music video is filmed to look vintage and like a home video. The video almost look slike its is being played on an old, square television as it does not fill the whole screen. Natural lighting is used to portray an average day. A number of close up shots of different actors are used which emphasizes their emotions. The fourth wall is broken through intimate shots of the actors staring into the camera as movement continues around them, this is engaging for the audience as it highlights how the actors understand what is going on. Panning and tracking shots are also used which creates intimacy with the characters and the artist.

Editing

The shots have been edited to change on the beat of the music, this is clean and sharp. Subtitles have been used to tell the audience what they different characters are saying as their voices are not heard. This works well in telling the story of the video, the video is following what different people would be doing during their last 24 hours before the world ends.

Sound

Although the lyrics do not directly reflect what is happening in the shots, the overall message of the lyrics relates to and explains the characters actions. The music is loud and has booming sounds which reflect the idea of ‘hypersonic missiles’ hitting the world, it also sounds manic which relates to this idea. What is interesting is that all the characters are calm and happy during this manic time which is satisfying to see.

Mise-en-scene

The video was shot in Los Angeles. There are many different settings in the video as it switches between different scenes of people doing different things. All of the shots are relatable to the audience demographic as they are every day locations and not particularly desirable. Some examples are, a field, a skate park and a bedroom. The costumes and casting of the actors are also simple yet reflect a wide range of different ages and ethnicities which reflects real life and opens the audience demographic to larger group of people.

2. Next to me

Artist: Imagine Dragons

Director: Mark Pellington

Cinematography

The first 4 minutes and 55 seconds of the video is a story about the relationship between the characters. When the music begins, a establishing shot is used which pans down to the main character walling through a foggy field where little can be seen around him. Different lighting is used if different settings, outside the lighting is dull and grey toned and inside it is more warm and saturated. The lighting reflects the mood of the characters, typically when they are together it is warm showing love and happiness, when the man is alone is shows depression. I think this contrast works particularly well in telling the story, I like how at the beginning it switches from warm to cold repeatedly with quick shots. Lots of close up shots are used on objects and body parts.

Editing

Again, the shots change in time to the music which creates a smooth effect. The shots are short which helps in telling more of the story and is engaging because it doesn’t focus on one thing for a long time which can be boring.

Sound

The music is generally soft and romantic which juxtaposes some of the dramatic lyrics and harsh ideas. Further into the video, the shots switch in beat to an alternating drum beat and clap sound which is effective because a steady rhythm is created both in the music and in the video.

Mise-en-scene

What is interesting about this music video is that on the surface it seems heart warming and innocent due to the lyrics and the shots in begins with. However the video portrays some harsh emotions and settings which forces the audience to see the song in a different light. Some of the settings show dark emotions and focus on religion and anger which is scary, the main man is also seen in a prison. (Which is explained in the short film before the music starts.) The costumes and casting are typically ordinary showing how the characters are normal despite the dark story.