Music videos of my chosen genre

techniques, style, lip-sync, special effects, colour, lighting,concepts

The Hubbards- Just Touch - This video is primarily a conceptual piece centres around camera movement and performance. The video uses long shots to help captivate motion and portray the narrative in real time as a seamless performance and the talent walks from one house to the next. Each house features a performance element implementing different instruments and people who perform the song in real time with the talent. This concept would have required a lot of planning and coordination in order to create a convincing final piece and was seemingly shot on a 3 axis gimbal which provides a steady shot throughout which helps to enhance the long take of the video allowing us to observe each detail of the video as it progresses. The talent is constantly lip-syncing throughout giving a direct connection with the narrative and lyrical elements. Lighting for this piece is all natural, this is due to the constant movement of the camera. Being a low budget film the artists would not have had the flexibility with mobile lighting to constantly suit the talent and shot. In addition the environment is constantly changing in lighting so achieving the correct exposure throughout would have been very difficult. I really like this video and the impression it gives of the song, i feel the performance element submerges us as an audience creating power and meaning to the song which would drive us to listen to it and also inspire emotion similar to that in the video. 

Two Door Cinema Club- Undercover Martyn - This video also implements long takes of performance and also includes a concept focused narrative. The video uses a birds eye view throughout to view the talent who are suspended by people in black outfits. This gives the illusion the talent is floating and interacting with an unknown environment which creates narrative enigma and drive for the viewer to watch on in confusion as to what will happen next. The black background isolated the subject which draws our sole focus to their performance. There is reference to lyrics also in this video through the use of lyrics being displayed throughout the video which draws the eye instantly from the subject to the letters thus creating a stronger bond between the audience and the song. The video then evolves to implement different lighting designs and elements to add to the concept reinforcing the aim to keep the viewer hooked and in anticipation as to what happens next. I really like this unique concept as I think it helps create an outstanding feel towards the song which would set the song from others of the same genre creating a unique appeal which could potentially lead to increased market potential.

Portugal. The Man- Feel it Still

- This video utilises once again a concept bonded with a narrative throughout as we follow the singer through his story and through the multiple scenes and locations. The video uses a new method contrasting to most other videos where textures are projected onto the subjects face creating a very dynamic and vibrant appeal to the video which in turn is aesthetically pleasing. There is also intertextuality littered throughout the video from cartoon appearances to film references such as the titanic. Lip-syncing is used constantly throughout linking to previous video i looked at as performance is a heavily focused element linking to the genre of music I'm working in.  This makes the video more appealing and more likely to resonate within the viewers mind. The video helps create mood surrounding the song which would add to the appeal from a viewer to buy into the song itself. The video is very abstract which creates enigma and ambiguity to the song leaving viewers to have their own perception on what the video connotes or portrays. Overall I really enjoy how this video looks on screen through the use of colour and texture. I feel the video would have a great impact on the viewer and surely creates interest surrounding the song its self and lyrics within the video.


Saint Model- Cold Cold Man - This video also focuses heavily on intertextuality and the entire video itself focuses on replicating the iconic James Bond Opening sequence. This video also uses clips prior to the song starting which creates a mini story which sets the scene before the song begins. The video makes use of whip pans and zooms prior to the song to asimilate an 80s crime film. The video then cuts to the song where the extensive use of rotoscoping and overlays helps to create a very aesthetic opening which is sure to captivate the viewer and draw their attention to the song. The genre I will be working with focuses heavily on providing emotion and feeling on listening to the song and this video is no exception. I really like how the band has successfully replicated the feel of the sequence and this helps to create and target a separate audience who are interested in the James Bond films too. This helps strengthen the audience and help ensure the marketing potential of the video. 

Liam Gallagher- Wall of Glass - This is another example of a conceptual video. The video heavily focuses on aesthetics and artist presentation which, considering it is Liam Gallagher, would be a heavy marketing point in itself. The entire video focuses on performance and lip-syncing is used throughout. This creates a sole focus on the artist and his personality as oppose to linking the song with a narrative or storyline. The use of abstract camera angles such as the dutch dolly shot at the very beginning helps to create a sense of disorientation and confusion which links to the artists persona and character which would then drive the viewers to listen to the song repeated times and potentially purchase it. Colour is a huge factor of this video and throughout a very stingy and hazardous colour scheme is created which links to the artists very abstract and stereotypical "rockstar" personality. The video is designed to create a very rough and conflicting visual side which compliments the character of the artist. In addition physical lyric references are made. For example the smashing of glass in multiple scenes directly reference the song. Also the use of glass is prominent throughout the performance elements of the video which establishes a strong sense of character to the song itself and the poignancy of the lyrics during the video and performance. 

The Corteeners - Not Nineteen Forever -  This video is heavily focused on performance and the way in which the song is performed. The video consists of the band sitting in a coffee shop while the lead singer lip-syncs throughout. The video uses warm colours throughout in a very common location which helps break down the barrier between the artist and audience which from the outset establishes a closer connection with the audience allowing them to feel more like part of the song/ performance. There is no complex editing or post production involved with this video and I think the simplicity helps to establish the band as being very reachable and much like the audience they are pitching too. this differs to typical rock videos as the star almost wishes to seem completely above and beyond reach of the audience they are addressing however I have become more aware of indie rock videos addressing problems most people can face or relate too which enhances their marketing potential and impact. Slow motion is also used within this video to enhance emotion and conflict as the video progresses as we are introduced to a narrative which follows the lyrics of the song greatly. Focus pulls and handheld shots are later brought into the video to enhance the conflict and emotion which has been brought into the scene through the entry of the woman. This helps to create feeling behind watching the video which then increases the effect it has on the viewer.

Arctic Monkeys- Why'd you only call me when your high - This video includes a very solid narrative focus as the lead singer (Alex Turner) progresses through the night encountering obstacles as he journeys through the streets intoxicated in search of his, what we would assume, lover. The video addresses once again a realism to the singer bringing him down to a personal level with the audience. Intertextuality is used in the video as the initial soundtrack is another song by the same artist which ads to the marketing potential of the video. The video uses handheld camera throughout which creates a dynamic feel to the visual side giving us a similar sense of disorientation the talent experiences within the video. Coloured lighting is used throughout the video to enhance emotion and add to the grunge look and style of the video. Coloured lighting is something I would like to experiment or include in my video as I feel it helps convey emotion within the video. This video is structured more like a short film as there is also foley within the video with cuts of the music occasionally to draw the eye to the story elements of the video. The use of visual effects is prominent throughout to help create flashbacks and visionary elements. The use of tricolour splits and focal planes are put in place to allow us to see from Turners perspective at his level of intoxication justifying how he is acting.


The Neighbourhood- Sweater Weather - This video is shot entirely in black and white with allows maximum tonal contrast within the sequence. This creates a very vintage look to the video which links to the artists preferred portrayal to the audience who may be interested in more vintage style things. The video features old cars and various other props to help back up this theme. Extensive slow motion is used to create a very dramatic element to the video creating a very stylised yet informal look to the piece. Shot types vary throughout the video and the video takes quite a homemade style video which links to appeal and personality the band wish to portray. There is no lip-syncing or performance element to this video and the video focuses more on the aesthetics of the video piece which is greatly controversial compared to other videos of the similar genre. This sets the band aside from the other bands i have looked at, creating unique appeal surrounding them which could be likely to increase marketing potential. There is no clear narrative to the video which once again gives a heavier focus on the aesthetics and  cinematics. This video could be designed to have a subtle impression on the viewer making for a more relaxed viewing or even to be used as ambient video designed to convey emotion which would then tie the viewer to that emotion relating it to the song. I really like the whole feel and style to this video as I think it allows the viewer to become very involved and connected to the song which would then enhance its market appeal and the appeal of future songs from this artist.

Milky Chance- Cocoon - This is another example of a narrative video. The concept of the narrative focuses on a girl who is able to turn clothing into gold and is thus captured and held to perform her purpose. This is a very abstract concept to the narrative and has no real connection to the lyrics visually. The narrative however does draw emphasis to the music as the viewer tries to understand what is happening in the story throughout and does so by listening closely to the lyrics. The video helps draw attention to the song and vise versa creating a very compelling experience for the viewer. This video is shot mainly handheld like some of the other videos I have looked at which creates a very involving almost documentary style to the story. This video adopts a very de-saturated and blue colour grade too which enhances the raw style the video aims for. Slow motion is also used to enhance the visuals and character emotions which create a more tranquil style of the piece which suits the tempo of the song. Overall I really like this video as the cinematography is really well done and it helps to create something really unique and visually appealing.