2. Video One:
Pass Out
This video is primarily shot in front of a
stage, with both a white and brick
background used. Towards the end, a
scene in a club is shown.
Throughout the video, captions appear
in time with the lyrics, and are often
linked to them in a thematic way.
(This is the best quality the video is in
by the way, sorry)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b
a4pdrijk5M&index=3&list=PLB9AB59A
D4AE07F52
3. Mise-En-Scene
& Genre
Much of the video is filmed in front of
stage-like backgrounds, including plain
white or brick patterns. The genre of the
song is a fusion between pop and hip-
hop, and I feel that this setting is
representative of the genre. Some similar
songs use relatively simple stage setups,
such as KDAās āTurn The Music Louder
(Rumble)ā. The brick background
meanwhile is clearly meant to evoke the
gritty urban setting often seen in hip-hop
videos. I like that the video invokes that
setting, but does not make it so overt
that it contrasts with the rest of the
video.
A nightclub scene is also used in the
video as an obvious homage to the many
pop rap songs that feature that setting.
However I do not feel that the mise-en-
scene and lighting was convincing
enough to make it a convincing club. If I
were directing, I would have made it
darker yet with more flashes of colour to
make the setting more obvious.
4. Costume &
Character
The costume in this video is simple and
reminiscent once again of hip-hop videos
which use a similar style of dress.
Hoodies and coats are associated with
the genre, and so this fits in well. The
choice of main performer is also well
done, as he is of the right age and
ethnicity to convincingly perform the
song without creating dissonance
between vocals and visuals.
Body posture is often slumped, with
expressive hands that are common
mannerisms of rap gods everywhere. This
is therefore a frequent representation
that will be familiar to the target
audience.
The other characters in the video are the
clubbers, although these are only briefly
seen. They are young and dressed
casually, fitting of actual clubbers which
makes them more convincing. Overall I
think the costume and characters in this
piece are well done as they suit both the
genre and the mood.
5. Camera & Editing
I believe that the main draw of this video
is that it is well-edited despite the
simplistic techniques employed. Cuts and
captions are in sync with the music,
which adds to the energy of the song and
fits the pop/dance feel it is going for.
One criticism however is the decision to
use a limited colour palette. Almost the
entire video is in black and white, with
only the occasional flash of colour. Most
upbeat pop and hip-hop videos use
colours, often vibrant, to convey energy
and passion to the audience. Without
that colour, the video often feels dull in
contrast to what the performerās actions
is trying to get across. Not helping is the
limited number of settings (white
backdrop, brick backdrop, club) which
makes the video repetitious and less
interesting.
In addition, there is a limited use of
various camera techniques in the video.
Almost every shot is a still medium shot,
which only further adds to the repetitive
nature of the video.
6. Music Video
Elements
This video is a performance video, and
contains very little to no concept or
narrative. This is not in of itself a bad
thing, as plenty of pop and hip-hop
videos are purely performance based.
In my opinion, the main performer of
the video does a good job at his role.
As mentioned before he looks the
part, and his techniques such as
performing without a microphone and
alone are typical of his genre. Since
the performance aspect is well-done,
the video does not require additional
elements.
One criticism I do have however is the
length of the video. At 4:07, it does
not have enough substance to justify
watching it for the full running length
because there are no stand-out
moments in the video. I think the
video could have been shortened
without losing any content, and still be
paced nicely.
7. Evaluation
Overall, I feel that this video has successfully recognised and adapted certain elements, such as
the use of mise-en-scene and character to convey genre. Despite often containing disparate
elements, each is utilised subtly enough that they do not conflict with one another yet are still
recognisable as conventions in of themselves.
However there are some criticisms of the piece. The limited colour palette and low number of
settings makes the video feel dull, which is not what a straightforward party video is supposed
to be. To improve, I would seek out more locations to film at and find more interesting imagery
to make the video more memorable.
Finally, I feel that the video is relevant to my piece due to its use of stages. It shows that stages
can be used for stylistic effects, and are especially suited for performance videos.
Simultaneously however care must be taken to ensure that shots remain distinct. To do this I will
ensure that stage shots are used alongside on-location ones, and that unique imagery is still
taken into consideration.
8. Video Two:
Beautiful
This video is filmed in various
locations, generally with rural
backdrops.
It also features several scenes in a
club.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z
oG_vHKMlBg
9. Mise-En-Scene
& Genre
This track is a pop song, which is
capable of hosting a wide range of
settings. Both the rural town and club
settings have been used in other pop
songs. However a criticism I have is
that the various settings do not
synergise with each other, with the
high key lighting and natural
environments of the rural segments
contrast greatly with the low key and
artificial environment of the club. The
sudden transitions between each feels
forced as a result.
There is also some missteps when it
comes to the mise-en-scene. The rural
scenes are meant to inkoke a natural
or sleepy setting, so the inclusion of
that shipping container in the corner
of a shot stands out.
10. Costume &
Character
The costume in this video is unusual, in
that the costume is casual. Pop videos
can utilise simple clothing, but it is often
smart, sometimes a result of the
common subject matter of love. The
manner of dress does not suit the subject
matter of the song, and there is no
subversion to concepts and conventions
that makes this seem like a conscious
decision.
I feel that the characters themselves also
do not fit the video to some extent.
While some acting elements such as the
direct address to camera is used in
videos, others such as the laying about
on swingsets would be more suited to a
urban or hip-hop style of music, which
this is not.
One positive I do have however is the
club scene does involve character and
costume you would expect to see in a
club: Young and casually yet sometimes
smartly dressed. I feel that had the video
focused on this aspect, it would be better
received.
11. Camera & Editing
The camera and editing work in this
video is simple. Most shots are
medium or mild close-ups, while all
transitions are either simple cuts or
fades. It is common for pop videos to
have simple editing, so this aspect of
the video can be representative of its
genre.
The simplicity of the video however
can be a downside because it makes
the final product less interesting to
observe. It does not feel as if thought
for variety in camera shots was made,
instead simply filming the subject of a
shot and using that.
Almost all natural lighting is used as
well. This is a frequent convention of
the genre, and it is used at a consistent
level between shots, so it isnāt too
much of a problem.
12. Music Video
Elements
This video is entirely a performance
video, with no concept or narrative.
On itās own, I do not believe that is an
issue, as there are plenty of videos
that are focused on one aspect of
video production. However, the
simplicity of the video serves to bring
this down as the actual elements of
the video are not conducted well.
In addition, at four minutes the video
is too long for what little content it
has, making it feel shallow and empty.
13. Evaluation
In conclusion, I feel that this video is unsuccessful in utilising the conventions and requirements
of the genre to create an interesting video. The video is overly simplistic and feels as if it had
been improvised at the last moment, as few elements of mise-en-scene seem to have been
thought through.
To improve, I would take better care in both characters and mise-en-scene to ensure that they fit
the genre. I would also shorten the video length in order to make a simple, focused video work
without making it feel stretched out and forced.
In terms of my video, I believe this demonstrates the importance of having relevant mise-en-
scene, while also regulating the length of the video so that it does not feel shallow.
14. Video Three:
Radioactive
This video is a narrative one, following
a team who enter a quarrantined area
to hunt down a zombie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O
NQ8AVpq1-Q
15. Mise-En-Scene
& Genre
The track is an indie rock song, which
can often utilise narrative or concept
videos. Since the lyrics are focused
around a concept, a narrative video is
well suited to adapting it as creative
liberties can be taken without
subverting the original meaning of the
song. This video took the basic idea of
āRadioactiveā, and took an idea of a
radioactive zombie being hunted down
from it.
The mise-en-scene reinforces it
thoughout. The countryside setting
with powerlines and rusty pipes is
reminiscent of places like Chernobyl,
and the no trespassing sign given a
close-up at the start gives a feeling of
rightful danger throughout the video.
16. Costume &
Character
The importance of relatable characters is
downplayed in this video and left
ambiguous. The people hunting the
zombie look near identical and wear
masks that conceal their mouths, which
makes them express less emotion and
subsequently the audience feels less for
them. By contrast, the zombie is clearly
meant to be the villain of this piece in
that he attacks and kills. But by making
him fully expressive, this distinction is
more blurred, making the video open to
audience interpretation.
The costumes and make-up work do a
good job of making the characters stand
out. The choice of white makes them
stand out from the green backgrounds,
and they fit the themes of the video.
I do however have a minor criticism
regarding the zombieās makeup. His arms
and face are uncovered by the green
infection affecting the rest of him, which
feels distracting from the rest of the
costume.
17. Camera & Editing
A decent variety of camera shots are
used in this piece, ranging from close
ups and actions shots to medium shots
that give context to a scene. Edits also
tend to be simple cuts, which is often
the case in indie rock songs.
Some notable camera shots are used.
Below is an over-the-shoulder shot
from the perspective of the zombie, as
he looks at the hunters. This gives
more empathy for him as the audience
is sharing his perspective, adding to
the moral ambiguity mentioned
earlier.
Finally, some level of colour correction
appears to have been used to increase
the contrast between the costumes
and backgrounds. I feel that this is a
good stylistic choice.
18. Music Video
Elements
This video is a narrative video with
some level of concept behind it. The
video does a good job at fulfilling the
ideas it has, and the length at 3:07
makes it feel full and complete.
All the actors do a good job at their
roles, and they also look the part
which is an important aspect of
casting.
19. Evaluation
Overall, I like this video for being unique in its own way while also fulfilling the aspects of the
genre that it needs to fulfil. There are a number of interesting camera shots to keep audience
interest, and the video overall is well shot and edited.
To improve, I would focus on keeping the costumes a bit more consistent and detailed.
In terms of my video, it shows me how elements of concept and narrative can be used to
enhance the presentation of the video.
