Textual Analysis 02

1. Textual Analysis 02
By Jack McGee

2. Eden - rock + roll
Eden is an popular electronic artist who produces music in the alternative/indie genre. He’s been around
for quite some time however only recently has he began to become increasingly popular amassing over
930,000 followers on spotify and with many others on different platforms.
The music video I’ll be analysing is one of his most recent, rock + roll. His music primarily focuses on love
and other topics that depict emotional damage. The rock + roll music video was directed and shot by Tim
Kellner.

3. Genre Characteristics
Judging by Eden’s music I expect to see a video full of different vintage like shots, using editing to create a grungy look and camera shots with open
frames/long and medium shots. I think there will be few close ups, mainly because Eden’s songs tend to tell a story, not the emotions. Close ups are
used primarily to convey emotions and because of this I believe he won’t use many of them. The music will more than likely build up but not have a
drop, instead it’ll follow the flow.
After watching video:
After watching the video some of the things I listed above were correct, such as the long and medium shots. Using these opened framed shots with
many different locations the music video depicted the story between two lovers, leaving the music up to conveying the emotions. This pair worked
greatly, due to Eden’s gritty voice he’s managed to show the pain in his lyrics. The video uses a grungy colour correction, appearing to look vintage.
The video also uses effects that make it actually look like old film, which is a great addition to keep the audience interested. All the shots used natural
lighting.

4. Is the music video Performance, Concept or Narrative Based?
The music video is concept based, following an story. The visuals are captivating due to the various
locations used, and the colour correction effects.
Performance Concept Narrative

5. General Technical Aspects
The music video is 5:14 minutes long and I counted a total of 126 shots used. I
also counted a total of 8 different locations being used. There are only two
performers, one being Eden himself. There are 6 costume changes, two however
use the same hoodie. Although there is no real excitement to the music video, the
visuals alone are captivating. The locations used are interesting, keeping the
audience interested in the music video and not just the music itself.

6. Music And Visuals
During the guitar solo, there’s a scene of the performers running to the car.
Although there’s no editing done in this clip, such as pace changes, it still
connects the music and visuals together. Another instance is at 3:29 when there’s
a slight dramatic pause then a beat drop after some lyrics, the scene goes from a
calm drive to vintage footage.
Guitar SoloBeat Drop Scene

7. Are there close-ups of the artist and any star motifs?
The music and music video tell a story, and this is what the record label are trying to sell. It’s a love story,
and a love song along with the finale being the break up. The song and music video tell the story of the
happiest moments and then the saddest.
Eden is being portrayed as someone to connect with. He’s had his fair share of pain and his image/songs
show this, making fans feel like they can connect with him emotionally.
Eden has his style, that being he’s an electronic Indie artist. Therefore, his music videos tend to follow the
pattern of telling a story, and one that’s based with an unfortunate ending.

8. Is there a notion of looking?
In the music video, Eden is shown using a camera. The camera shoots vintage
like shots, and the primary focus of his shots are of his girlfriend. This is to give
focus on her, so the audience attention is mostly present on her. This technique is
a great way to shift focus onto the small details.

9. Conclusion & Reflection
After watching the music video and analysing it, the small details and larger ones
have managed to create a story-based music video that is about love and
breakup. The different use of camerawork and editing has managed to create this
grungy but emotional story.
This has helped me develop my ideas because the use of minute details in the
music video has clearly pieced together the larger points, such as the camera
EDEN is using has managed to depict the love he has for his girlfriend. The small
detail manages to put emphasis on how he feels for her, creating memories whilst
he can. In my music video I think I’ll use this technique if possible.