Harry Music Video Research

Independent Music
Indie music tends to appeal to teenagers as the contents of their songs are often
about relationships and enjoying life while you are still young. In the music videos I
reviewed the two most obvious and recurring messages were, have a good time,
and don't allow people to judge/ conform you; although, each video did also have
its own independant message too. They also all seem to revolve around some
form of love, whether that be a relationship or a friendly love, but this would appeal
to their stereotypical teenage audience.

Kodaline- High Hopes
The very first shot is an establishing shot and it is used to show that the man is
alone, this is further symbolised by him being under a tree that is standing on its
own. This follows the indie convention of humble beginnings.

The next major scene is the two of them
escaping her wedding with one another, her
facial expressions show relief and his show
determination, this follows the convention
that one thing happens which changed
everything. Also, with mise-en-scne, the lack
of anything in the car shows that the video is
solely about the people in it, and not about
materialistic things. The lyrics also coincide
with the clip as they say about having high
hopes and couple also seem to share this
attitude towards the relationship.

At the next stage of the video they arrive at the man's house, together they are
both happy, this shot shows how they are equal but it also shows how they
complete one another as they both go to cheers their glasses, which they couldn't
do alone.

The next scene is a montage and they
juxtapose the two images together, in the
first image they show the couple dancing
together and having a good time in the next
it is a much darker clip which although is still
about the relationship, which is shown by the
drawing, is now sad showing they stick
through it even through the bad times, this is
also foreshadowing the ending of the video.

This is another example of the message they try to convey that love isn't perfect,
they are showing that not only is the man imperfect for her as he is considerably
older but also using mise-en-scene that she isnt perfect as she has scars on her
back, but still showing him embracing them as part of her.

This scene shows the couple again relying on one another for balance, it is well lit
and therefore is reflecting one of the happier times in the relationship. The lack of
anything being around them shows that again the only thing that matters to them
is each other which re-iterates the message that the band is trying to convey.

The next big scene is the ex-groom of the wedding the bride ran away from comes
back and ends the relationship with a bang, this is a literal example of the
metaphorical explosive emotions that he may have experienced after the break
up, this shows the convention of making the most of what you have because the
couple only had a limited time and they used it together. The mise-en-scene of the
gun shows the uncontrollable emotions of the man wielding it.

This scene briefly uses mise-en scene to show that although the groom was only
trying to hurt the man, he also hurt his bride, showing that you hurt everyone
involved not just the person you wanted to. This could appeal to the teenage
audience that indie songs appeal to as they will be experiencing their first
relationships.

This camera angle shows what the ex-groom wanted
in that he has replaced the old man however, it also
shows that he is the one holding the gun and
therefore he is the one that has harmed the bride,
which he never wanted to do, which is shown using
mise-en-scene of his facial expression.
This scene also lasts as long as all the others before
it showing that this is the most important bit this is
why they have made the message so clear in this
scene.

The scene after shows a flashback,
using lighting it shows that there
were good and bad times, it then
changes to the scene where the
man using his dying breath to move
over to the bride and hold her hand,
showing that their love was
unconditional, finally showing the
message that although people may
not agree with what you like it
doesn't make it any less real, which
would appeal to a teenage
audience.

The final shot is of the two of them in hospital having survived their wounds and
stay together showing, that love conquers all another message that would appeal
to teenagers who are entering their first relationships.

To conclude, the music video shares almost
entirely the stereotypical conventions of an
indie music video as it is very based around
love and also sends messages that appeal to
the stereotypical teenage audience.

Imagine Dragons- On Top Of The World
The first scene in the music video shows a group of people all crowded round a tv
in a shop window, it specifically focuses on a kind who is wearing a tinfoil hat
which has connotations of conspiracy, but also acting outside the norm. This could
be promoting the stereotypical indie message of don't be opressed which would
appeal to teeangers.

The next main scene is the scene of
the to-be astronauts getting ready and
leaving their families before they go,
they all come from different
backgrounds but are all going to do the
same task, this shows a message that
the band is trying to get across which
is that we are different but we are still
all the same. It also helps convey the
conventional indie message of don't let
anyone restrict you.

The next scene is a montage of everybody getting ready for the lift off, during the
montage they show this clip of them recreating the famous beatles album cover of
them crossing Abbey Road. This shows that they aren't just talking about the
controversy of the moon landing but also with everything in the media, as the
beatles were notoriously controversial. Meaning they could be trying to convey the
message whether you believe something or not just enjoy it based on your
opinion. Which would appeal to a teenage audience, however this reference
wouldn’t.

They end the montage with the 4 men preparing their space suits, by the end of
which they all look the same dispute how they all came from different backgrounds
this again reiterates the message they try to send the message that although we
are different we are all the same, this would appeal to the teenage target
audiences which indie music usually does.

The next scene although still in the preparation montage
is showing them walking towards the apollo 11
spacecraft, the lighting is used to show promise in their
future and in the direction they are heading.
However, despite the alleged magnitude of what they
are about to achieve they all have blank expressions on
their faces, this is a counter-type of the usual ‘just enjoy
yourself’ message that indie music tends to convey.

At the end of the montage, also coming up to the chorus they board the spacecraft
and another montage is played, this montage shows more events happening, this
conveys the message that you should just enjoy life while you still can, thye use a
close up of a man pushing a knob to the full setting, showing that he is going to
the extreme which is another convention of indie music videos.

There is then a montage of people from all
different backgrounds watching this as it
happens again conveying the message that
we are all the same. It also shows some
political knowledge as it pokes fun at the
soviet union, which is a counter type of what
would normally come up in an indie music
video as it wouldn’t typically aim towards a
teenage audience.

In the next scene they reveal a staged moon landing which, is quite political and
therefore is a countertype of a typical indie music video. It would also appear to an
older audience than indie music videos typically do.

Again they are trying to recreate famous images of the past this time they create
Neil Armstrong landing on the moon and saluting the american flag, this would
appeal more to an adult audience as they would be stereotypically more interested
in the politics than the younger generation.

Next in the scene, after the landing has been shot they show a montage of the
band in spacesuits messing around having fun, this show the stereotypical indie
message of just have a good time and don't be restricted by norms, just enjoy
yourself. This would appeal to a teenage audience as they would be more
motivated by this message,

Then for the first t8ime in the video it shows the band behind their instruments
playing the song and singing along, as they are an indie band, despite being
popular, they may be trying to make a name for themselves and are doing this by
showing what the band is like.

The video ends on the stage getting surrounded by fans who are all cheering ajnd
enjoy themselves this would appeal to the teenage audience as it is like a concert
scene which teenagers typically attend it also sends the message of just enjoy
yourselves.

To conclude, the video shows several
conventions of being a typical indie song with
a teenage audience however adds in some
features which would hint it was aimed at an
older/ more educated audience which would
suggest as they are an indie badnt that they
are trying to appeal to as many groups as
they can while still sticking to their own
unique style.

American Authors- Best Day Of My Life
The first shot in the scene is a blurred image of the band with their instruments.
This is a literal demonstration of the metaphorical idea that the video is unclear
whether it is real or fake. It also follows the indie convention to have the musicians
in the video.

The next scene starts with a man sitting alone at a bar, this image appeals to the
teenage audience that are maybe lonely and without friends therefore suggests
that it is aimed at teenagers. It is also ironic as the title of the song is “The Best
Day Of My Life” and he is alone in a bar.

The next clip is a cross cut to the lead singer of the band singing the lyrics, this is
a convention of indie music videos as it helps promote the band. The lyrics also
coincide with the video as he is referring, in the song, to a dream he had and the
video is depicting a obscure reality that could be a dream.

The video then cuts back to the man at the bar only this time the camera pans to
reveal a create who looks like a character from children's book ‘where the wild
things are’. This again reinforces the videos theme of being a dream.

During the montage of friendly gestures between the man and the monster the
lyrics again coincide with the video, it also fulfills the indie convention of love and
although it's not romantic love it would still appeal to a teenage audience who
would have a close knit group of friends.

The video then cuts back to the original image from the start of the video and
focuses the camera this suggests that the idea is that the viewer has now gained
some clarity on what the video is going to detail. This idea of an epiphany is a
convention of indie music videos.

During the build up to the chorus they man and monster at the bar get thrown out
for misconduct, this fulfills the indie convention of just enjoy the moment, the band
are also fulfilling this convention as they are just singing down the street.

The bright colours and lens flares of the next part of the music video depict a very
idealistic scenario, which would appeal to tennagers and would also help convey
the message of enjoy the moment. They also reinforce the belief that the video is
all based around a dream.

The video then shows a montage of things that the man and the monster do
throughout the day, this includes going toi s atrip club, a park drinking and getting
tattoos this again conveys the message of seize the day.

The man and the monster get a tattoo together which suggests that they are
seizing the day, but also the tattoo has a youth phrase on it ‘thug life’ which
suggests that it is aimed at a teenage audience.

The video then cuts to the band who are now on stage performing at a bar, this
demonstrates both conventions of enjoy yourself and having the band playing in
the music video, ot would also appeal to a teenager as it is set out as a concert
like scene.

The video then shows the man and the monster attending the bar gig and dancing
having fun, this shows the band promoting themselves which is a convention of
an indie music video.

The video then cuts back to the man
again alone at the bar but this time just
waking up which gives the illusion that
all the events of the music video were a
dream.
However when he gets up and
leaves the camera reveals the
photos from the photobooth left on
the bar suggesting that it wasn't all
a dream.

The video is obviously aimed at
teenagers which is typical of an indie
music video, this is shown by it being
very story oriented which frequently
matched up with the lyrics, and also
the reference to ‘thug life’ a popular
saying at the time.

Catfish And The Bottlemen- Cocoon
The video starts in sync with the drumroll at the start of the song, the man opens
the doors as the song starts this suggests that the band are opening up to you
suggesting again that the song has deeper meaning, this would appeal to the
typical indie teenage audience.

The doors open to reveal an old asylum, this could be a way of the band
representing that they are the people in the asylum and the people running the
asylum is society, the metaphor would appeal to teenagers as they may be seena
s crazy tos society as they are going through change in their lives. The change is
also represented by the name of the song ‘cocoon’ which is the stage between a
caterpillar and a butterfly.

The video then focuses on its protagonist a
man and the girl he is interested. This sets up
the stereotypical boy meets girl with a twist.
This would appeal to teenagers who are the
stereotypical audience for indie music videos.

The video then demonstrates the tight grasp of control the asylum works have as
the lady spots the man looking at the woman and teases pushing the button to
break them up, suggesting that she doesn't want any relationships going on, this
relates back to the time when mental patients would be treated as subhuman
before the The Lunacy Act of 1845. They are comparing societies restrictions on
them to this extreme example. This would appeal to teenagers as they like to be
dramaitc.

Later in the video a close up of the protagonists face is used to show his emotion
howveer to signify he is different it is only showing half his face and it is off to one
side this woudl suggets that half of him is missing as if he is unfulfilled, teenagers
would relate to that as they will fill restricted by what they aren't allowed to do.

The video then comes to the point in the story where the boy meets the girl,
obviously it is very contained and restricted as they are both asylum patients, this
would then appeal to the teenage audience who may feel their relationships are
controlled by their parents.

The next shot is a close up of a flower suggesting innocence and purity which is
like a form of silent protest against all the people in the hospital, which could be a
metaphor which teeenagers can relate to having to protest for their relationships.

They then use the same image as last time however he is centred now as if since
meeting the girl he has found purpose, also as before it signified that half of him is
missing this now signifies he is complete.

Next there is a compilation where the girl seems to have switched and become
more like the others in the asylum, depite the boy still trying to impress her,
throughout the video there is always staff nearby to reinforce the message of
being controlled.

They use the same close up of the boy's face however this time it was just after a
montage suggesting that that montage was just a dream and he has woken up to
the idea of the two of them together, this could relate to teenagrers who are first
experiencing heartbreaks, which is a typical audience for indie music videos.

The penultimate scene is of the boy trying to run away and escape with the girl
upon realising they can never be together while to asylum has control over them,
this sia metaphor for the idea that you have to break free of control in terms of
people's acceptance of your relationship, which would appeal to a teenage
audience.

The final scene shows the man being restrained while remembering all the good
times he had (shown by a montage), this again is used to represent people trying
to control you and your relationship which would appeal to teenage audience who
have people who disapprove their relsationships.

The video very clearly appeals to a
teenage audience that are finding out
things about themselves and are
entering their first relationships, this is
also a common target audience for indie
music videos.
The video also sticks to the stereotypical
indie message of ‘don't let people control
you’ by using hyperbole, especially
considering the nature of the video.

Seafret- Oceans
The first shot is a mid shot of a teenage girl entering an empty house, she is
calling for her mother, immediately this gives off the impression it is aimed at
teenagers.

Seafret- Oceans
The next shot is a close up of a note from her mother, this is used to shown the
girl is old enough to be independent, this gains more meaning as the video
progresses, this would also be relatable for the stereotypical indie target audience
of teenagers as they may be becoming more independant themselves.

Seafret- Oceans
Next as she changes out pf her uniform it is revealed someone has graffitied on
her shirt, this would implies he is being bullied an issue that the target audience of
teenagers may be dealing with, this again reinforces this audience.

Seafret- Oceans
The next major shot is a close up of a box that appears to be of items from her
childhood, this could remind her of a happier time, it could also symbolise an
escape from what she has to deal with now. The teenage target audience would
also be able to relate to this.

Seafret- Oceans
She then puts on a superhero costume that's he got
out of the nostalgia box, this is particularly obscure as
the video clarifies she is old ought to be responsible
earlier on, therefore shows that it is even more out of
the norm, however again the costume could
represent more than being a superhero it could
represent an ‘out’ which some teenagers would be
able to relate to it is also emphasised happiness on
her face when she puts it on initially. However this
happiness goes when she sees herself wearing it as
if she knows its ridiculous.

Seafret- Oceans
They then use editing to show as if she has actually got super powers, although
they don't show it in the mirror, as if to say it is fake, it also coincides with the lyrics
“we hide our emotions, under the surface and try to pretend” which would suggest
again that the superpowers are a metaphor for her escaping her new issues,
which teenagers would relate to.

Seafret- Oceans
The next montage is of her leaving the house wearing the costume, and a
combination of her face and a lense flare show it to be empowering which conveys
the stereotypical indie message of express yourself despite what other people
think.

Seafret- Oceans
She then see’s people she knows and she still maintains a determined facial
expression this expression then, again, conveys the stereotypical indie message
of express yourself and don't allow other people to judge you. This would again
appeal to the stereotypical indie target audience of teenagers as they may be
starting to realise whon they are are would be able to relate to this girls problems.

Seafret- Oceans
The camera then shows a close up of her getting surrounded, to emphasise that
she is alone and trapped, which is a literal way of showing how people can be
metaphorically/ emotionally isolated when suffering similar issues, specifically
teenagers.

Seafret- Oceans
Throughout the scene it becomes apparent that while she is wearing bright
colours all the others are in dark clothing this could symbolise again that she
stands out but also that that isn't a bad thing which is a stereotypical indie
message to convey to a teenage audience.

Seafret- Oceans
After tolerating emotional and verbal abuse she decides to draw the line at
physical abuse, this conveys the message the band are trying to show which is
stand up for what you believe in, this would appeal to teenagers who may be
bullied for things that they believe. The lighting again is also empowering to her
showing that this is what the band want you to believe.

Seafret- Oceans
Again the music video uses editing to represent her emotions this time it shows
her using her powers to do what she always wanted to however a sit shows her
using her powers which it showed weren't real previously it is showing that you
beat them emotionally which would convey the band's idea of ‘killing them with
kindness’ which would appeal to a teenage outcast audience that maybe have to
stick up for themselves.

Seafret- Oceans
Contrasting with the first scene it shows the girl being completely dependant on
her mother which would appeal to a teenage audience that although have a large
number of new responsibilities are still dependent on their families and therefore
could relate.

Seafret- Oceans
To conclude, the band use a range of
camera and editing techniques to convey
a message of stand up for yourself buta
slo don't conform to what other people to
believe, they make it clear that you should
believe in yourself, which makes it clear
that their audience is teenagers therefore
they follow most conventions of an indie
music video.

Harry Music Video Research

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