The document analyzes and summarizes the music video for the song "Black Mirror" using Goodwin's theory of how music videos relate the visual elements to the lyrics and music. It discusses several shots that reinforce the dark, mysterious and nightmare-like themes through images of the ocean, a monster's face, people in row boats, and strange creatures with pitchforks. These visuals increase tension and discomfort in the viewer and relate to the feelings of the protagonist and lyrics. The document also notes how some shots, like of dancers' silhouettes, provide hope in contrast to the darker elements and how the music video style is typical of the indie genre through its experimental shots and focus on the music over the band's image

1. Black Mirror

2. The opening line of the lyrics is “I
walked down to the ocean” has a
relationship with the visual image of
the ocean; this presents how
Goodwin’s theory is present.
The visual appears very dark and
mysterious which leads onto the
second line of the lyrics “After waking
from a nightmare” this again shows
Goodwin’s theory and continues to be
reinforced with the visual of a monsters
face. I feel the way in which the shot is
facing the circular window puts the
audience in a point of view and makes
them feel apart of the narrative of the
music video. This can create an uneasy
atmosphere as the audience anticipates
what will happen next.

3. The notion of looking is present
throughout the music video, the first
example of this is one of the beginning
shot as the camera pans upwards to
reveal a ship; it made me feel as if I was
looking through a telescope because of
the rounded black edges. This visual
also reminded me of the Titanic
therefore may be seen as an inter
textual reference which would present
a point in Goodwin’s theory. We also
see a shot involving a television, again
this represents the notion of looking
because it is a screen within a screen –
this shot can also represent how the
video isn’t representing reality.

4. There is a shot involving many people
sitting in rowing boats, this could
present an earlier time period, this is
also reinforced by the characters
clothing. One of the men then leaps
from the boat towards the huge
monster which could connote how he is
being brave and facing his fears. The
continue use of black and white images
can also contribute to the earlier period
in time and also presents the nightmare
aspect of the lyrics.

5. The fact the screen turns completely
black creates a tense atmosphere as
the audience anticipates what has
happened to the protagonist.
Another shot shows weird looking
creatures holding pitch forks, the sharp
vivid edges connote violence and make
the audience feel uncomfortable.
And then the shot which gets closer to
the protagonist until it is looking over
his shoulder gave me the feeling of
something creeping up behind him.
All these shots gave me the feeling of
fear of the unknown which could link to
how the character is feeling.

6. In Goodwin’s theory it contains the
point about the relationship between
the music and the visuals. I feel this is
expressed through the shot of the man
sliding down the screen in a fast
motion, at this moment the music
begins to increase speed which gives
the feeling of panic.
A shot involving silhouettes of dancers
is the first bright white visual we have
seen, this could connote a sign of hope
in contrast with the previous darker
shots. An interesting visual effect is
created as the silhouettes go through a
repeated motion.

7. Overall this music video is typical of the indie genre because its
doesn’t contain close ups of the band which shows how their image
is not important because they focus on the music and not how well
known they will be. It also has unique shots which express an
experimentation element. The music video also contains most
points from Goodwin’s theory. However, goes against the point
about close ups of the band. I feel this music video will relate to our
music video because of the same genre and not containing shots of
the bands image, the video also contains unrealistic aspects such as
a giant monster, this will also reflect in our music video as we will be
having moving play dough.