2. Overview of music video
Mumford and Sons are a British/indie folk band that includes 4 band
members. The band formed in 2007 and are still currently present.
The music video I will be analysing for Mumford and sons is ‘The
Cave’. ‘The Cave’ is the bands third single that was released on the
26th February 2010. I will be analysing this music video in order to be
able to pick out the conventions of Indie Folk music videos through
camera, sound, editing and mis-en-scene.
3. Camera (Shots, movement and angels)
At the beginning of the music video the audience was introduced to the four band
members through a long wide shot. This is vital as it enables the audience that
are watching the music video to know who the singers are in the music video. The
fact that they are all sitting on the bikes together in this shot emphasises on the
unity this band has and how close they are together which may portray the fact
that they all feel the same way about this song. Moreover, this long wide shot
entails that the director is focusing on the band as a whole rather than just the
lead singer. Due to the fact that this shot portrays the solidarity of the band, the
audience may feel that they may also be welcomed and the band may gain more
respect from the audience. It is likely that most of the audience may view this as
‘preferred reading’ as it is clear that the band are united as they are constantly
appearing together throughout the whole music video.
When one of the band members is singing, their is a
mid up shot on the singer to show that they are lip
syncing. This is important as it allows the audience to
be able to identify what band member is behind the
voice they can hear on the screen as it will also allow
the audience to be able to connect with the lyrics more
and the meaning behind the song. This comes at a
more of an advantage to the audience if they prefer this
artist the most as they would want to pay more
attention to this specific artist if the audience is more
of a fan. In addition, the close up shot used on one of
the Indian band members highlights his anger or
excitement towards his feelings which adds a sense of a
narrative change as well builds up some excitement to
the music video.
Due to the fact that I felt inspired by
the use of camera shots used and its
overall effect on the music video, me
and my group may include many
close-up shots in order to portray the
protagonists facial expressions and
how she may really feel. Although in
this music video the unity of the
band is depicted, we may depict the
solidarity and loneliness of the girl,
perhaps by using a wide shot to
convey the fact that no one is around
her.
4. The sound used throughout this music
video has a big impact on the audience
as the band members start of the
music video by talking to the Indian
group and giving them the
instruments. The fact that one of the
band members was talking to them in
Indian highlights the fact that this
music video is taking place in India.
Therefore when the audience are
watching the rest of the music video,
they are able to tell that it is filmed in
India.
Sound
The fact that both band members exchanged
words at the beginning of the music video is
not very common in most music videos.
Therefore this diegetic sound emphasises on
the fact that this is an Indie Folk music video
as it subverts other typical music videos within
other genres. Furthermore, the non-diegetic
sound that was added in throughout the music
video gives more of an upbeat sound to it due
to the instruments that are imbedded in, yet
their is still a slow pace feeling to it which is
typical of Indie Folk music videos.
In my music video I may add in diegetic sound at the beginning of my music
video in order to allow the main character to introduce herself to the
audience. The purpose of this is because the idea of my music video is
about the journey and the struggle of a young girl which is also typical of
Indie Folk music videos.
5. Editing
The constant alternative shots between both bands at the beginning of the music
video may suggest the equality their is between both bands even though both
bands are from opposite sides of the world. In addition, although Mumford and
Sons are helping the Indian band, their is no difference between the both of them.
This is very effective as this music video is not only just interesting to watch,
however it has an important message to the audience, informing them that
everyone should be treated the same in this world, regardless of there ethnicity,
age, social class..etc.
6. Mis-en-scene
The Indian band members are dressed up in military
style clothing which may imply the fact that they are
oppressed in India as well as the fact that they have
been witnessing violence. Their facial expression
through the close up shots highlights the struggle they
have been through. However, the fact that they are
playing on the instruments challenges my point as it
shows that although they may seem oppressed and
going through a lot of struggle, they are ignoring
everything and music is allowing them to move on.
The lighting is very natural and calm which creates
a sense of realism throughout the music video.
Indie Folk music videos usually include many
natural settings with natural colours in order to
portray to their audience the beauty within earth .
This music video has also done this by using
natural colours and lighting that allow the
audience to feel as if they are part of the video, or
that the video is filmed in a close place to them.
7. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need’s and Andrew
Goodwin’s Theory.
According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need’s theory, this music video of ‘The cave’ by
Mumford and Sons sends an important message to the audience which allows them to
be motivated by it. For example, according to the pyramid, the audience watching this
music video may feel ‘loved’ as the concept of friendship is highly valued throughout.
In addition, some people in the audience may feel that there self esteem has improved
after this music video as the video also touches upon the fact that everyone should
respect each other in order to achieve.
Furthermore, the aspect of ‘Narrative and
Performance’ in Andrew Goodwin’s theory is present
in this music video due to the fact that one of the
band members is singing directly to the camera in
one of the scenes. By breaking the ‘4th wall’ and
adding in a performance, it allows the audience to
feel engaged in the music video and connected to the
artist. This has a positive effect on the band
themselves as they may attract more of a mass
audience if people feel engaged and included.
8. Representation & Dominant Ideologies
The band in this music video is represented in a very positive light, portraying unity
which is typical within the Indie Folk genre. For example, throughout the whole
music video, Mumford and Sons are on motorbikes making their way to another
Indian bands in order to collect musical instruments. The fact that they are going
together shows how they are sticking together as a band and as a family. I feel as
this music video is representing the freedom of the Indian band, as by them
handing the instruments to Mumford and Sons, they may be handing them the
freedom of having a choice and personally giving them what they want to give
them. This is vital as in the past India was colonised by Britain. They may have
been handing them the burden of creativity as they were oppressed for many
years.
The ideology of people in third world countries are less advantaged than the ones
in the western world is present in this music video. This is also evident when
Mumford and sons were taking the musical instruments away from the Indian
band. It may portray the effect the past of their political state and the effect it had
on them. This is a common ideology as we see it a lot around the world, when
countries that are strong and powerful oppressing the less advantaged.
9. Audience reception and Stuart Hall’s
theory
The audience who are watching this music video may interpret several meanings to
the narrative of the music videos due to the visuals on the screen. At the beginning
of the music video, the audience is introduced to Mumford and Sons, who are united
and are going on some sort of ‘journey’ together. Therefore the audience may react
positively towards this music video as it encourages people to stick together and be
united.
According to Stuart Hall’s theory, I believe that the audience of this music video may
read the music video in a way that believes the code and accepts the ‘preferred
reading’, however modifies it in a way in which it reflects their own interests. This is
called negotiated reading. This is because the visuals don't clearly explain the lyrics,
therefore leaving the audience to be able to interpret and imagine whatever they
want from the music video, as well as enabling the reader to think more in depth of
what they really mean. For example, the fact that they are taking away the musical
instruments from the Indians may either be read in a friendly way, or a way that
portrays and reflects on the past political conflicts between Britain and India.
10. Binary Oppositions in the video (Levi
Strauss theory)
An evident binary opposite that is present in this music video is the Indian band
and the British band, Mumford and Sons. Halfway throughout the music video,
the band has constantly depicted the contrast in both the bands through editing ,
sound and camera work. For example, the use of jump cuts between both the
bands in addition to the fast paced music builds up excitement and enables the
audience to question where Mumford and Sons may be heading towards.
Additionally, the use of close up shots on the characters allow the audience to
identify their facial expressions and moods and therefore interpret from that what
ma be happening.
