2. The similarities occurring throughout the editing of American Rock music
videos are visible. The colour grading is always black and white however,
some shots have a sepia look to them in some videos.
Another similarity is the pace of the video, they are all quite fast paced in
terms of changing from shot to shot. Some of the panning/tracking shots
however are slightly slower between the shots.
3. Throughout the American
Rock music videos that I
have studied they all
contain low key lighting
with spotlights on the band
members.
One video however had
differences in lighting to
make the narrative shots
distinctive from the
performance shots. This
included using low key
lighting and spotlights for
the performance shots and
natural sources of lighting
for the narrative shots- this
made the narrative sections
look more realistic.
4. In terms of MES, this is the use of props, make-up,
clothing and lighting. It can also include posture and
gestures.
Looking at clothing, the band members often tend to
wear dark-coloured, casual clothing such as: jeans, t-
shirt, leather jackets etc. However, some also wear
more elaborate outfits like glam rags. Throughout the
videos I analysed their clothing were more casual.
The posture and gestures includes the band members
pulling the microphone towards him or screaming into
it. Guitarists will tend to throw their head back and
forth, or arch their back over the guitar.
In many rock videos the make-up would tend to be
minimal, however they would generally use black
eyeliner to give them the stereotypical rock look. As
well as this, sometimes they may wear pale foundation
to enhance the contrast between the pale skin and dark
eyes- which also creates a corpse-like vision.
5. The shots were similar throughout
each of the music videos that I had
analysed. They included a mixture of
different shots from long shots to
close ups.
Long shots were used when showing
multiple band members or when
they involved the setting around
them, i.e. the stage.
Mid shots were used on individual
band members playing their
instruments to enhance the idea of
the performance context and them
playing on stage.
Close-ups and extreme close ups
were used when focussing on
specific sections of an instrument
(for example, the guitar strings).
However, they were also used to
reflect the individuals emotions.
Panning and tracking shots were
used throughout a couple of the
music video that I had analysed, this
was mainly seen when they panned
from the audience back to the band
performing. This also enhanced the
performance context which all
American rock videos portray.
All of the shots included
within the American Rock
genre emphasise the
importance of the band
and their musicianship.
Although there were
several panning/tracking
shots throughout a few of
the music videos I
analysed, when looking at
a wider range of American
rock music videos I
figured that many videos
lacked camera movement,
this is due to the context of
these specific music videos
being performance based.
For videos which included
narrative context as well,
they tended to include
more camera movement.
Low angled mid-shot
Close-up
Extreme close-up
6. Many American Rock music videos are located within a large
room or a stage. The rooms are set up to indicate a performance,
therefore they will have chairs or allocated seats, which face a
large spacious area for the band.
Although many of the American Rock music videos only include
performance throughout, some have included narrative which are
interlinked within the performance shots. Therefore, the locations
of the narrative sections are usually shot within Urban areas
however, can also be located within Rural areas, deserted houses
etc.
7. Many American Rock music videos are located within a large
room or a stage. The rooms are set up to indicate a performance,
therefore they will have chairs or allocated seats, which face a
large spacious area for the band.
Although many of the American Rock music videos only include
performance throughout, some have included narrative which are
interlinked within the performance shots. Therefore, the locations
of the narrative sections are usually shot within Urban areas
however, can also be located within Rural areas, deserted houses
etc.
