A.M: Analysing 3 Music Videos

Passion Pit- Little Secrets

The genre of Little Secrets by Passion Pit is electronic dance. The video follows genre characteristics by having a Stage Performance from the band through out the music video and dancers seen in the video.

The location of the music video is in a warehouse which gives the video an urban vibe.

Dyer's theory applies to this music video as we can visually see the band through the performance piece. The themes rebellion, youth, aggression and a disregard for social values relating to drugs are portrayed in the video. This video has developed representations of youth within a star image, this conforms to Dyer's identification of star qualities such as rebellion. This is done through the use of spray paint/Grafitti, the crowd and the lyrics referring to drugs.

Using Goodwins critical framework it is evident that there is an amplified relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. The lyrics are talking about teenages experimenting with drugs and how it makes them feel better. This is represented in the video through the paper bag props with sad faces being turned into happy faces and then eventually bursting into confetti.

relationship constructed between the music and visuals is amplified. The pace and beat of the music is matched by the cutting rate. Also the crowd is dancing to the beat of the song. The video could be described as illustrative through the performance aspect of the video. You see the band playing the instruments on stage and the main singer mouthing the words. Also the crowd is dancing to the beat of the song.

There are many close ups of the lead singer and band members while they are performing. Sometimes the singer looks into the lense while performing. By doing this he is breaking the forth wall, this will make his audience feel more connected to the band and the music.

Technical Aspects:

Low key lighting is used at the start of the video, it is used to create an almost silhouette affect. I think this looks very atmospheric and had made me realise how important lighting is when shooting a music video.

A slow cutting rate is used at the start and there isn't much camera movement. As the song becomes more up-beat the cutting rate increases speed. Also the lighting becomes brighter and more colourful therefore reflecting the music.

Slo-motion is used at the key point when the paper bags turn into confetti. This catches the audiences attention as this is a key part in the concept of the music video.

MGMT-Kids

MGMT is also an electronic band. The video slightly goes against genre characteristics by including a narrative but there is also a strong concept which is stereotypical of electronic music. There is also some band performance but this is very short.

The location used in this video is inside a house and then walking around a town. The real life location everyday locations are very effective. This is because the use of pre filmic effects of the monsters faces are more shocking due to the real locations. This therefore catches the audience's attention and becomes more disturbing.

When we apply Goodwins framework to this video it is clear that the relationship between the lyrics and visuals are amplified. The meaning behind the lyrics are exploring the emotionally damaging effects that bad parenting have on a small child and how these can cause effect on them in later life. This is shown clearly through the use of the main characters in the video being child and mother. In the video we see a careless, narcissistic mother and the father figure is absent.

The relationship between the music and visuals are amplified. The cuts are on the beat of the music quite often, and there is some band performance nearing the end of the video which syncs up with the music.

If we apply Dyer’s structure of the Paradox's we can tell that the band appears as ordinary and extraordinary. This is shown by the ordinary setting but the monsters makes them extraordinary.

Technical Aspects:

Low key lighting at the start creates an eerie atmosphere as the child is terrified of the monsters surrounding him.

Shaky camera movements are also used and this adds tension and fear very quickly.

They use CGI at the end of the video is very interesting and unique as not many music videos use animation in them. It makes the video appear very artistic and I think is definitely something we could consider to use in ours.

Through out the video the cuts are motivated by the child. This therefore makes it easy for the audience to follow the small narrative which is included in the video.

The car seat prop instead of being something comforting is depicted as a cage. This is symbolism enhancing the effect the bad parenting is having on the child. Also the crib at the beginning of the video is seen more as a cage then a safe place.

Mothers costume connotes and props connotes that she's a typical young mother who can be irresponsible. Tight short dress not appropriate for child care, and she is more interested in her phone than the child.

Foster The People- Call It What You Want

Foster the people's call it want you want track is electronic. The video followers genre characteristics as it is conceptual and also has band performance in through out. The location of the music video is inside and around a mansion. They utilise all the different rooms, hallways, balcony and outside. This creates a very interesting video especially as they use so many different props and set design.

When we apply Goodwins framework to the video we can tell that the relationship between the lyrics and visuals is amplified. The lyrics are implying that you shouldn't care about what people think of you or what you do, even if it's insane, just like the music video.For example the lead singers head was in goldfish bowl, a band member is talking to himself in the mirror, another band member is playing the drum in the bath.

The relationship between the music and visuals are amplified. The cuts are on beat to the music and increase speed when the music does. Also due to the inclusion of a performance aspect to the video the instruments were also played in sync to the music.

Close ups of the band through out the video this means they are present in the video.

When applying Dyers critical framework it is evident that Foster the People are given the image of rebellion and recklessness. This creates their star persona as rebellious. This is shown through the disrespect they have the the mansion. For example they have made holes in the walls, they have thrown rubbish everywhere and one band member has filled the bath with wine.

In the video is voyeuristic treatment of the female body. This is evident in a few close ups of writing on the girls legs and their costumes are tight black leather dresses.

Technical Aspects:

In post production they edited the clips by overlaying some of them. This gave the video a unique look and made this shot stand out.

At the end of the video they used fireworks and unfocused the camera to create blurry lights. I think this is very effective and would look fantastic in our video. As we want to play with the concept of gold and using gold coloured objects, using gold lights/fire would work very well.