Conventions Of Music Videos & Analysis Of Music Videos - using Andrew Gooodwin's Theory

Conventions of Music Videos:

Andrew Goodwin's Theory:

I am analysing Rixton's Music video for Hotel ceiling.Rixton's music video for Hotel ceiling is more apart of the indie pop rock genre which involves element of narrative based editing and camerawork to illustrate the story e.g. close ups to emphasise couples and they're connectivity and they're emotions. They have used some indication towards the use of imaging their band within the video as a photograph that one of the character's is viewing. This is typical of indie rock bands to use some kind of link towards their identity

What is the relationship between lyrics and the visuals? 

 Rixton - Hotel Ceiling:

"I can see it coming round full circle my friend.
On the TV they said they had reported you dead.
It was my fault 'cause I could've sworn that you said,
It was easy to find another for your bed." -  These lyrics coincide with the visuals previously shown with instrumental piano music as there is the television with the report of the boyfriend missing. The line "I can see it coming round full circle my friend" relates to the idea of the girlfriend being in trouble for murdering her boyfriend we as a viewer do not understand the concept until the end scene when we loose empathy for the girlfriend loosing her boyfriend as we realise the psychology behind her character and how her history is with her boyfriend and how it progresses and rewinds between past and present situation.     

How does it feel to leave me this way? When all that you have's been lost in a day? Everyone knows, but not what to say. I've been wonderin' now. - The visuals accompanied with the lyrics are of the male boyfriend character kneeling on the ground as part of he pervious memories of him and their relationship progression of the narrative. The lyrics also coincide with the split screen visuals as the memories of the girlfriend conflict with the present emotions she has now.   

I've been staring at the hotel ceiling, Drinking everything I've found this evening, Trying to hold onto the sweetest feeling, So I'll never let you go, don't you leave me lonely. - The visuals on the line "Hotel ceiling" show the girlfriend/wife thumping her fist on the bed to the beat of the beat of the drum and flows well. We then see visuals of the female "drinking everything" in the hotel room in one glass raising it toward the teddy he had got her.

• "Start to see this, everyone I know cannot believe this.
  Trying to hold onto the sweetest feeling,
  So I'll never let you go, don't you leave me lonely now." - "start to see this, everyone cannot believe this" relates to the psychology of how the female is in actual fact the killer and is demented because she only now realises she has done wrong and then causes a scene about it. 

• "When my eyes open, morning pulls me into the view, nooo
  I guess I'm only acting in the way that you do." - This relates to synchronisation of the couple and insinuates that she is in control and he can't do anything she doesn't likes which is illustrated through later visuals. Her actions by ironing his shirt and shoes suggest she is obsessive and insinuates some sort of mental instability.

 

 

• "Just being alone, no.
  Only time tells me more than I hoped, all that I know is
  I'll be fine in a fortnight, lo and behold,
  I knew I shouldn't have let you go." - This coveys the voice and psyche of the female character and her split feelings from her rage and excess of affection. The visuals show this from her not wanting attention from him whilst on the sofa then being to full on when she bites his ear. Her rage is then shown when she throws the teddy which discomforts the audience and makes them aware something is strange about her actions.

• " I've been staring at the hotel ceiling,
  Drinking everything I've found this evening,
  Trying to hold onto the sweetest feeling, So I'll never let you go, don't you leave me lonely.
  Start to see this, everyone I know cannot believe this.
  Trying to hold onto the sweetest feeling,
  So I'll never let you go, don't you leave me lonely now.
  " - This suggests her contemplation and regret for loosing her temper. This links with the visuals as they are arguing and she is just eating chocolates and playing the victim because she is trying to convince the audience she is innocent so they don't suspect her as the true mastermind.

• "Start to see this, everyone I know cannot believe this.
  Trying to hold onto the sweetest feeling,
  So I'll never let you go, don't you leave me lonely now.
  I can see it coming round full circle, my friend.
  On the TV they said they had reported you dead." - The repetition of this from the beginning of the song is seen in a different light as the visuals accompanied by the woman getting changed into a wedding dress which indicates their relationship as well as her psychotic behaviour. she is then seen to be cutting her hair which seems odd to the viewer as it doesn't make sense until the end of the video where everything is pieced together. She's then shown to be looking outside the window where there are police cars which then connects with the audience as they realise from the new report played at the beginning that they said they were on their way to question a suspect which is suddenly seen as herself. It then shows her on the bed lifting her husband's tattooed hand from next to the bed on the floor which lead us to believe she killed him, she is also placing his wedding ring on his dead finger which indicates her crazy killer behaviour. The video then ends with her holding his hand to her face with her eyes closed then she opens her eyes within the last second. Which portrays a sinister atmosphere to shock of the ending to the video. 

Bad Blood Video Original Analysis:

 

The video concept was loosely based around SCI-FI themed action movies for example Tron, Sucker Punch and The Hunger Games and Divergent. This also coincided with the Spy action theme.

Media Language:

• Camera work - there's fast pacing editing to act along with the action theme to keep it upbeat, there is also slow pan effects to incorporate the action scenes and acknowledge the use of space and lighting, use of side shots revealing the profiles of the characters walking out of the flames suggest the quantity and force of power in numbers, establishing shots indicate the conflict of characters and indicates to the reader a sense of good and bad, use of crane shots creating 360 degree pan displays the characters in action and captures the movement of the characters and coincides with the fast action with fluid movement and angles, there is also a lot of close ups of the individual characters to create a sense of power and importance for the audience to see the characters faces close up this also acts well to reveal style of make up etc.

• Editing - Split screen used to indicate different situations again relating to conventions of action like style, slow motion to cast the effect of the action shots and build up tension, SPFX to link towards the Sci-Fi and action theme of the video as well as illustrating power, Green screen effects to emphasise the action as well as being a typical convention, dissolve transitions to emit the effect of action theme, fast pace editing fits with action pack theme and use of cross cutting links makes it easier to construct the time editing of different elements contributing to the narrative of the video.
  Split screen:

SPFX Graphics:

CGI/Green Screen effects:

• Sound - smashing of glass sounds to create the break before the start of the actually sound track to create the action effect, Cracking of arm non- diegetic sound to create the action pack effect of conflict and power, non- diegetic sound of alarm going off indicating importance and danger again adding to the action theme, non- diegetic sound of weapons firing indicating power and independence and the use of non- diegetic slapping sound to end the video creates the effect of power and strikes as a more belittled feministic approach. 
  
  
  
• Mise-en-Scene -  Use of high-key lighting adds to make more artificial Sci-fi- like relation, Robotic armour outfits suggests power and is suited to the theme of futuristic and high-technological advancement, stereotypical girly elements changed to be aggressive and more defensive leading along with a feministic theme such as the make-up mirror being a detachable weapon and the handbag containing nun chucks, dark heavy make-up to display the aggression and serious expression of the characters, aspect of low key- lighting helps to create eerie tension and mystery between the characters as well as illuminating the characters to be in dangerous place due to the lack of light, throwing a knife at bear is symbolic for independence and breaking the stereotypes of women creating a feministic view.
  
   
•  Genre - The POP video is performance based and pre-empts the idea of feministic independence but mainly focuses on the sexuality and appearance of the artist.
• Audience - the video's audience is mainly composed of women in relation to feminism and women independence although the audience also consists of fans of the films link towards the music video concept. The audience would also attract the artist Selena Gomez's fans due to artist rivalry and the use of big name artist to feature an appearance in the video creates wider fan base range to see the artists and actors in the video. The video also attracts aspiring fans that see the video as very inspirational and feministic in the approach of confidence.
• Narrative - a Feministic approach to creating a conflicting situation of good against evil rivalry with evil double agent played by Selena Gomez and the Heroin being the artist Taylor swift. The story then builds up to show an array of team characters with special powers/ strengths. Posing as sex symbols as there are all female characters part form two main male figures that have either rapping or speaking parts including co star/ collaborator Kendrick Lamar. The video then builds suspense for the rivals to face each other making it very dramatic to have anticlimactic ending where the rivals end the video by miming a slapping action from Taylor against Selena's face. This acts as the ending to the video and in effect some would say diminishes the suspense and the motivational feministic and dominant approach Taylor had envisioned for the music video.
• Representation - The video is portrayed to be a feministic approach and incorporates the features of all women casting and powerful symbolism to apply this. As well as the camera attention being on Taylor and exploiting her traits within the narrative to create a focus on her persona rather than the other celebrities taking part in the video. Although the camerawork is altered to sexualise Taylor with low angles and tracking from hips/legs outlining Taylor's figure and body. Split screening editing is used in the video to represent equality between the female character Taylor and her guest star Kendrick Lamar suggesting there is no gender dominance but exploits the power of the female gender more than males therefore being mistaken to be feministic.   

 Second Music Analysis - Rixton "Hotel Ceiling"

Media Language:

Camera work:

• Establishing shots help to give the audience an idea of what the situations is with regards to the narrative. 

• Subjective filming shows the experience of their relationship through the psycho woman's eyes

• loose frames indicate the isolation and crazy situation the female is in by staying in the hotel room.

• Point of view shots also convey the memories and experiences of the characters but from the female's perspective.

 

Editing:

• Cross-cutting shows the separate time sets of the memories and present time of her isolation.

• Action matches are use to keep the pace of the video fast as well as fitting as much depth to the narrative as possible.

• Ellipsis's are used to add depth but cut down the story so the narrative is concise without giving the crucial shocking elements away.

• Montages are used to show their memories as couple as well as the creepy memories of her bizarre psyche.

 

 

Sound:

• Non-diegetic sound is used to create an ambiguous and more personal so that the audience can connect on a human level.

• Sound bridges are used to create tension and build up towards the end of the video.

• Soundtrack is dominant through out the video and is linked to the visuals accordingly