Music Video Analysis

Music Video Analysis

Additional Analysis: 

You Me At Six- Lived a lie: 

This music video is from indie rock band "You Me At Six", i have chosen to look more into this genre as it is the one i intend to use for my own music videos. Therefor, analyzing this will allow me too see the typical codes and conventions of the genre.

Camera: 

The video opening focuses on the lead vocalist as seen through a medium shot, which empathizes Goodwin notion of "Star Power" as he is the front man for the band and thus the one that audiences are more likely to recognize. The camera then quickly moves to a range of shots, with many extreme close ups on the lead singers face such as his eyes. It makes the video feel quite intimate to watch, as the singer seems to be vulnerable. Within the shots he looks sad or in pain. Allowing for those watching to feel more connected due to his emotion and vulnerability.

The video initially begins in a studio as shown through the canvas setting, with a long shot of the band. However, during the first choras the canvas falls and reveals the band to actually be performing at night on the streets. As the music quickens the camera pans erratically from side to side, matching the pace of the song but also portraying the hectic emotions of the band.

Near the end of the song there is a long shot of all the band walking together, this shows the solidarity and relationship between the members as they join together after spending the rest of the shots on their own. In this scene there is then a close up on each member, that changes shot as the drum hits showing Goodwin's idea of a relationship between the song and the visuals.

Edits/mise-en-secnce 

The music video is edited with a lot of lense flairs which alter the color of the frame and add to the distortion when the camera is shaking. It relates close to a "strobe light" effect typically used in electric dance music, however i think it is effective as it matches the pace of the song but also create a quite erratic look almost mimicking being in the audience of a concert. Relating to the fact that it is mainly a performance music video.

There is also an effective transition from the studio to outside as it wipes away the background revealing another backdrop. The colors between these locations heavily juxtapose as the studio has very a scientific and technical, making the tone of the shots feel colder. While the lighting in the other is natural with lots of orange from streetlights and dark shades as it is night time. They also seem to contrast in that the shots outside have a less a focus making it immitate an audience watching a live performance.

The costumes also follow the conventions of an indie rock genre as they are dark and "edgy". Wearing leather jackets and having messy hair. The props they have used they burn such as a radio or television as seen through close ups and medium shots, this represent an idea of rebellion, typical to the indie rock genre. As it almost burning the media institution due to the nature of the props. This shows that the band is not conformist and will not be constrained by the industry.

Audience: 

The video is promoted to a niche market of indie rock fans, most likely fans of the band because of the lack of narrative. As the shots of the band will draw followers in as they get to see the band they like performing. You Me At Six arguably represent a more creative and interdependent group which would more likely appear to a younger teenage audience. Or if we use the 4C's theory it would appeal to a "Reformer". Due to the authentic and interdependent nature of the video and band.