Analysis of The Script - Talk You Down

The Script - Talk You Down on MUZU.

• Medium close-ups of the front man singing and playing the keyboard; this is typical of the genre, as all the indie/rock music videos I have looked at have had medium close-ups of the frontman.
• 'make you stay' -  Shows a girl leaving with two suitcases, creating a narrative around the song.
• 20% of the music video shows the narrative of the lyrics, while the other 80% is of the band performing on a roof-top.
• The girls actions mirror the lyrics, which builds more onto the narrative, and it also presents her as character.
• the show that the pace of the song is quite fast and the pace that the characters are moving, the streets of the city they are in go past really fast; this looks a lot like how the location around you looks when you drive past in a fast car. This also looks a bit like a blur, which could have been used to represent how the characters are feeling.
• Extreme long-shots and zooms are used to show the band performing on a roof-top. They're spread out over the roof-top, however, you are still able to see how they interact with each other. This shows that they are a group, but also that they are still individuals.
• Close-ups of each of the band members faces and them performing with their instruments are used. This to me shows the effort and energy that they put into their performances.
• The beats of the drums are used to aid the performance of the characters. It gives them the ability to show how they are feeling; allowing the audience to feel so emotion towards them.
• They editing is slick and everything slows; the shot roughing change between every 1-4 seconds which is also typical of the genre/music videos in general.

I like this music video as it has a narrative as well as performance. Which is something we would like to do with out music video. I also like how the beats from the instruments aid the actions of the band.

Analysis of The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger

The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger on MUZU.

• The first eight seconds of the music video do not contain any music or lyrics for the song, instead it shows a girl walking towards a house, when she knocks on the door, this is when the music for the video begins. Using this at the very beginning of the music video gives the audience an insight as to what is going to happen within the rest of the music video and the narrative of it.
• On the first few beats of the song the band is introduced one at a time; the drummer, the guitarist and the frontman. They are each shown when their instruments are introduced into the song. Each band member is shown individually with their instruments, this allows the audience to see all of the band, as in many music videos the frontman is the only band member shown.
• A few medium close-ups of the frontman are used, this could be to show the importance of him as the 'main guy' of the band. However, the band are mainly shown as  a whole.
• When the band are performing, they are each in a bright white spotlight which could be used to represent innocence of them as characters, however, this is a juxtaposition as they have girls dancing around them in short skirts and corsets.
• Raw footage is used to show the dancing girls backstage in their corsets and feather boas, dancing along to the performance. For the majority of the music video they are acting naturally which makes the audience believe that the situation the girls are in is realistic. Most of the footage of the girls looks as though they are all auditiong: which also shows that the whole music video isn't stage.
• The music video shows both the band members and the extras all genuinly having fun and enjoying what they are doing, which makes the audience enjoy what they are watching more.
• 'you must be a girl with shoes like that'  - This line begins with the frontman singing it into the camera, but on 'shoes'  the shot changed to a medium close-up of a girls feet, showing her wearing ladies high-heeled shoes.
• Near to the end of the music video one of the dancing girls dresses up in the clothes that the frontman has been wearing and lip syncs the lyrics of the song. It looks as though the footage is real and the girl was only messing around and having fun during rehearsals or filming as she does mess up the lyrics. This adds a nice edge to the music video and makes it more interesting and relaxing. It shows that the music video isn't all staed and that it mainly shows everyone having a good time; by going this it makes the audience watching the music video enjoy it even more.
• This music video uses real footage, showing the band on stage performing and then them also backstage having fun and messing around with the extras.
• Music videos for the indie/rock genre aren't generally clear cut, they're usually a little rough around the edges, which reflects the bands image and the song that they are performing.

My favourite aspect of this music video is the raw footage that has been used, as it makes the whole video seem more relaxing for the audience viewing it. Using footage like this also makes the music video seem more interesting and quirky as it isn't like any other video.

Analysis of The Kooks - Naive

The Kooks - Naive on MUZU.

• The main shots used within this music video are medium close-ups/medium long shots of the lead singer, who only sings the lyrics of the song while he is in the bar/club, which is the main setting for the music video.
• 'I may say that it was your fault' - he sings this line of the song while in the club, and then it flashes back to a couple at opposite ends of a bed, giving the audience an insight into what have been happening between the couple.
• Most of the song has been filmed within a bar/club, however it does flash back to how the couple in the music video used to be; by doing this it shows more of a narrative between the characters and means that the audience are able to relate to them.
• Flash backs are used; these show the lead male character in more of a relaxed state. The lighting is a bright white colour which represents the innocence of the situation and the innocence of the relationship between the lead male and female characters. This is a contrast to the harsh lighting used in the rest of the music video, while the lead guy is in the bar/club. This shows a more sinister atmosphere, and it's here that everything goes wrong for the leadmale as he finds his girlfriend cheating on him.
• While on the flash backs the camera is still, however, while in the club it follows the lead male around on tracks, making the movement smooth. It also builds a connection between him and the audience viewing the music video.
• Shots with the lead female are a lot brighter to that of the lead male. This could be to emphasise how free she feels, showing more of her care-free personality, while the dark lighting could be to show how the lead male is feeling and to emphasise that he is in a dark place.
• Raw footage of a group of guys having fun on a night out is used near the end of the music video. It looks as though it's fimed from a phone instead of a professional camewra, unlike the rest of the music video.

I really like this music video as it is quite smooth. My favourite aspect is the contrast betwen the different locations, as it builds more of a narrative for the audience.

Anaylsis of Kate Nash - Foundations

• Within the first 6 seconds of the music video we see a bowling ball roll into a line of ladies high-heeled shoes, knocking them all over. This sets the tone for the rest of the music video. Although the music at this point is a piano which is quite calming and soothing, the image shows destruction, giving the audience an insight into what the song and music video are going to be about.
• The music video contains a lot of medium close-ups of Kate Nash singing the lyrics to her song, this is typical of the indie genre as it allows the audience to see the artist/band.
• Animations are used at certain points of the song, this has been done to show how the singer is feeling without her showing us herself through her physical appearance and facial expressions. It also shows how the couples belongings are being/have been effected by what's happening, not just the couple. Animation is a good technique to use as it makes the music video seem a lot more interesting.
• 'finger tips are hanging onto the cracks in our foundations' - a medium close-up of two people holding hands is shown the mimic what is being said with the lyrics. This gives the audience a visual intake in what's going on with the couple, without seeing their facial expressions.
• Kate Nash is shown as the main character within her music video and she enables us to work her out as a person, build a bond with her, and sympathise with her as she seems to be stuck in a hole that she find difficult to get out of, until right at the end of the music video.
• The images used within the music video link with the song and the lyrics used, creating more of a narrative for the characters to work with, also allowing the audience to have more of a narrative to watch and enjoy.
• The shots change roughing between every 2-4 seconds and the editing is smooth, flowing naturally, making it easy for the audience to watch.

I really enjoy watching this music video, and Kate Nash is one of my favourite artists. I especially like that her videos, especially this one, are a bit quirky and original. Not very many music videos used animation to help with the narrative, however this works really well.

How to Analyse a Music Video

Andrew Goodwin writing in 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory' (Routledge 1992).

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for a boy/girl band).
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, condtradicting).
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, condtradicting).
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).
5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screen within screens, telescopes etc.) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, television programmes, other music videos etc.)

Initial Ideas

What is a Digipak?

As a part of my coursework I will have to make a cover for the release of an album as a part of a digipak (CD/DVD package).
I wasn't to sure what a digipak was, so in order to help me understand what I had to create, I used the internet to do a little research into it;

• A digipak is a style of CD or DVD packaging.
• They typically consist of a book-style paperboard or card stock outer binding, with one or two trays that are able to hold a CD or DVD attached to the inside.
• They contain aspects such as photo's of the band, lyrics, any other information on the band, and sometimes a message from them.

The presentation of my digipak needs to represent the band as artists, as well as the genre of their music. It will also need to interest the buyer by being eye-catching and rememberable.

Star Construction

Richard Dyer commented that "a star is an image constructed from a range of materials".


From a pop song that includes;

• Songs; a lyrical theme and musical genres,
• Album covers; an image of the star that they present,
• Media coverage; tabloid gossip (interviews about their career and private life),
• Live performance; image through the stage show,
• Music videos that draw upon the image presented in the other materials.

Star Image

• The music promotional video has a significant role to play in the construction of the image, this is done by creating an associated iconography (visual features, e.g. costumes, jewellery or settings).
• A collection of music videos can encourage a biographical reading of a star's career and image, while DVD's might include special features, sometimes with stars and directors commenting on their work.
• The notion of authenticity of a performance where the audience takes the song's lyrics as a direct reflection of the star's inner (or outer) life; this can also be enhanced through the music promo video.

Star Vehicle

• Music videos can be seen as a vehicle for stars. They can act as a showcase for the bands talents, generally playing a significant part in the construction or maintenance for their band or image.

About Voyeurism

• The notion of looking at somebody, this can sometimes be in a sexual manner when they are unaware of being watched.
• The presence of a woman in a film is often for the sole purpose of display, instead of narrative purposes.
• 'Male gaze' - this is when there is a powerful controlling gaze at the female character(s) who is objectified and prassive.
• Women are generally portrayed in a negative way.

Music Videos

Music videos often contain a number of different elements:

• Performance
• Narrative
• A Theme - lost love? betrayal? Choosing a metaphor for the lyrics
• Is Symbolic
• Promote a lifestyle

Music videos;

• Are a visual equivalent to music,
• Encourages recreated consumption,
• Encourages identification or desire for the artist,
• Provides an open, polysemic experience for the viewer (more than one interpretation),
• Are visually stylish - have an artistic mise-en-scene,
• Contain a 'rhythmic' montage, fragmented style,
• Intercut - from performance to narrative (is conspicuous; something you notice),
• Have an experimental use of cinematography/editing,
• Are fast pace,
• Use conspicuous lighting and cinematography,
• Often break the rules of continuity editing.

The Purpose of a Music Video

The different functions of a music video are:

• Promotes a specific single and, generally, an album.
• Promotes a specific artist or band.
• Creates, adapts or feeds onto a 'star image'.
• Entertains as a product.
• Reinforces, adapts or undermines the 'meaning of a song'.

Advanced Portfolio in Media Studies.

For this coursework I will be producing a promotional package for the release of an album. It will include;

1. A music promo video,
2. A cover for the albums release as part of a digipak (CD/DVD package).
3. A magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package).