EG9-13 Music Video Analyses

ACT: Lana Del Rey
TRACK: Blue Jeans
YEAR: 2012
DIRECTOR: Yoann Lemoine
GENRE: Surf Rock
AUDIENCE: 15-30, M+F

VIDEO:

the ending is left unclear

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT: This video includes some performance footage of Lana Del Rey lip-syncing, however the majority of the video is concept, as the visuals have no connection to the lyrics of the song. A crocodile appears in some shots throughout the video, and it could be seen as a metaphor for her love interest in the video, Bradley Soileau. Soileau has previously appeared in Lana Del Rey's music video for Born To Die, again playing her love interest. The outcome of the video is left unclear, as there is a possible drowning. 

rippled underwater effect

use of reflecting light

FX: The entire music video was shot in black and white, which adds to the moody, quite sad feel of the song. It also changes the time period, as Lana Del Rey is famous for her retro style, and the black and white adds to this effect. There are also some shots throughout the video which have an underwater rippling type effect, adding to the theme of the video. The transitions between shots are normal, however a lot of slow motion is used. Light is also used in an interesting way, as most of the shots of Lana Del Rey and Soileau have light reflected from the rippling water on their faces/bodies.

1950's style hair and makeup

the 1950's style setting

shots of the crocodile

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video is set by the poolside of a 1950's home. Lana Del Rey often uses period settings in her videos. Her hair and make-up also have a 1950's style. This is the only location throughout the whole video, and this possibly adds to the effect of the video. A crocodile is also shown in the video, and the shots of Soileau are deliberately placed before and after the shots of the crocodile.

ACT: The White Stripes
TRACK: Seven Nation Army
YEAR: 2003
DIRECTOR: Alex & Martin
GENRE: Garage Rock
AUDIENCE: 15-50, M+F

VIDEO:

marching soldiers

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS: The only link between the lyrics and the visuals we see is a computer generated image of an army of toy soldiers, which relates to the title 'Seven Nation Army'.

shot of the drums

PERFORMANCE STYLE: This video is only performance, and we see no narrative. The performance looks realistic, as the shot of the drums and the guitar are synced so there is no verisimilitude lost. There are no close up shots of the instrument or the artists as the video is one continuous shot.

the electric spark effect

PACE:The pace of the video changes with the music, and the triangle kaleidoscope effect moves more quickly. There is also a electric spark effect which makes the whole shot look more energetic as there is more on screen moving. A flash effect is also used during the guitar solo to create the look of more energy. 

ACT: Kanye West
TRACK: Mercy
YEAR: 2012
DIRECTOR: Nabil Elderkin
GENRE: Hip-Hop
AUDIENCE: 15-25, M+F

VIDEO:

Kanye West appears in the video 3
times in one shot

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT:  This video is mainly performance, with some elements of concept also. We see all of the artists that feature on the track lip-syncing, and it looks believable. Apart from the Lamborghini, there are no other visuals that relate to the lyrics.

a lamborghini gallardo is the only
prop

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The music video appears to be shot in a large parking garage, and we see a Lamborghini Gallardo appear in the background several times. The rest of the video is quite minimalistic. Artists such as Kid Cudi and Mr Hudson appear in the music video wearing turban style head pieces, even though they don't feature on the track.    

transition effect at the end of the video

FX: The whole video was shot in black and white, and there are no other effects throughout the video, apart from when we see Kanye West appear three times on the screen, all lip-syncing. There are no transitions in the video as it is all one continuous shot. However, at the end of the song, a Lamborghini drives through the shot, and after it passes all the artists are gone from the shot.

ACT: DJ Fresh VS Diplo
TRACK: Earthquake
YEAR: 2013
DIRECTOR: Jonas & Francois
GENRE: Trap
AUDIENCE: 15-25, M+F

VIDEO:

the 1st shot of the 'superheros'

DJ Fresh appears in the video

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT: This video is a mixture of narrative and performance. We see 6 "superheros" walking through the streets of New York, while the main vocalist Dominique Young Unique lip syncs throughout the whole video. An animated 'slime monster' is also shown in some shots, but doesn't actually do much. The main artists DJ Fresh and Diplo both appear briefly in the video also. At the end the group of "hero's" overlook New York as they stand in a line.

Diplo also appears briefly

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video was shot in New York, USA and features some typical NY props, such as the yellow taxis. Right from the start of the video we can tell by the costumes that there is a superhero theme.

a billboard poster for Kick Ass 2

INTERTEXTUALITY: In the video there are a couple of shots of a poster for the recently released Kick Ass 2 film. An edited version of the song with extra production and sound effects features in the film under the name "Motherquake".

ACT: Nero
TRACK: Reaching Out
YEAR: 2011
DIRECTOR: Unknown
GENRE: Dubstep
AUDIENCE: 15-25 M+F

VIDEO:

the beginning of the video resembles
an 80s tv show opening sequence

original stock footage is used

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT: This video is purely concept, as there is no performance footage or real narrative. As the song samples a couple of 80's songs, the video heavily references the opening sequences for 80's TV series, such as Miami Vice, and uses original stock footage to build a TV title sequence narrative. The video stars all the members of Nero, as well as lead vocalist Daryl Hall.

transitions like this are used frequently
throughout the video

FX: The video is very heavy with effects, possibly to add to the cheesy 80's feel of the video. Many over the top transitions are used, such as the kaleidoscope effect. The Nero logo often appears layered over shots throughout the video. 

the Nero logo appears in many shots

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: The video is suggestively set in Miami or a similar beach-city, as shots of Miami signs and skyscraper beach hotels are shown all throughout the video. The people shown in the video all have hair and make-up in an 80's style, and so are the costumes.

there is a shot of a Miami sign