1. The Script – Nothing
Director – Charles Mehling
Alternative rock
The lyrics of alternative rock songs usually address social issues, such as drug use and depression. This song speaks of depressive events including the character being suicidal over the loss of his loved one.
2. Examples of where the lyrics match the visuals are:
“As they take me to my local down the street” – the opening scene is him in a bar.
“And my mates are all there trying to calm me down, ‘cause I’m shouting your name all on the town” – clips of him stumbling out of the bar, surrounding by friends attempting to calm his rowdy behaviour are shown.
“And I know that I’m drunk, but I sing the words, but she’ll listen this time even though they’re slurred” – the lead singer and main character is shown walking along the road, demonstrating drunk behaviour.
“I’ve got nothing” – the audience is shown the lead singer standing on the bridge about to jump, having ‘nothing’.
“Am I better off dead, am I better off a quitter” – being pulled out of the water after attempted suicide. This is also shown at the beginning of the video, which foreshadows the later events/lyrics
3. Examples of where the music matches the visuals are:
As the electric guitar comes in there are quicker cuts as he jumps into the water to pick up a faster pace and accompany the more sinister events.
The cuts are less frequent as the music becomes slower.
The band member is playing/performing with the guitar during the instrumental moments.
4. The record company looks to sell this track by relating the lyrics and the video to realistic events that audiences can familiarise with.
It represents the fact that other people in the world go through this sort of pain.
The video can be compared to others by the script such as “We Cry” and “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” as they are set in real life settings.
5. There is no evidence of the notion of looking and they are not on sexual display because the storyline is based on love and loss rather than sexual desire and lust.
6. There are no intertextual references as the video has its own individual storyline rather than needing to incorporate other elements of media into the piece.
7. The video is narrative based, as it shows us a storyline, with very little performance
1. Neon Trees – Animal
Alternative Rock
2. Examples of where the lyrics match the visuals are:
“We’re sick like animals” – the people in the video all ‘fall’ due to their sickness from a leak in the ceiling
“I feel the chemicals kicking in” – the chemicals coming out of the vent shows a change in the people’s skin changing into animals
“I won’t sleep tonight” – everyone wakes up and comes to life.
“Take a bight of my heart tonight” – related to animal behaviour as they are all dressed as animals and the song is called ‘Animal’.
Overall, the lyrics are metaphorically saying ‘let loose’ and ‘have fun’, and the bright colours and wrecking of the paintings are representative of this idea.
3. Examples of where the music matches the visuals are:
Very fast cuts to match the very quick beats at the beginning, for one second.
The song is pretty much fast faced the whole way through and so the editing reflects this by keeping the cuts the same pace throughout also – at a steady pace.
4. The image being promoted in this video is a carpe diem feel as they are behaving in a care-free manner and appear to be losing their inhibitions.
Their video “1983” is similar to the video in a way, as it is performance based, and also shows them walking around a funfair – a very carefree place to go and take risks much like the idea of “Animal”.
The company is looking to sell the track by just being upbeat and fun, and allowing the audience to just enjoy the music and have a good time.
5. There is no sense of sexual display in the video as it is concentrating more on the idea of just ‘letting loose’ and having a good time.
6. There are no intertextual references as it is more about enjoying the music rather than aiming something specific at the audience.
7. The video is mostly performance based but there is a storyline to the video, providing it with some narrative.
1. Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)
Pop
Director – Marc Klasfeld
The characteristics this video displays are that it is aimed at a teenage audience in general – being done in the style of teen movie, and also the use of dancing being displayed which encourages viewers to want to join in.
2. The whole first verse describes the situation she is in and shows the actions whilst singing the lyrics, such as “There’s a stranger in my bed, there’s a pounding in my head” in order for the audience to get an idea of the story.
The camera pans the room near the beginning so that we are getting a visual idea as well as a mental.
3. Slow cuts to keep it simple as it is focusing more on showing us a story and the action rather than creating an edited piece.
When the dance music starts everyone starts to dance individually – displaying dance moves.
4. It is looking to sell the video by basing it on a teen movie in which the target audience are going to be familiar with, and so allowing them to relate to this with the added bonus of a fun, upbeat song to go with it.
This video could slightly relate to her previous song “California Gurls” as it uses a lot of bright colours to engage the audience to the fun song.
5. At the beginning, there is a well-built man naked in her bed, obviously for the viewing pleasure of the audience.
6. There are intertextual references in the video, as they use 2 characters from the popular American show ‘Glee’ which is a programme about the underdogs, and so this can relate to Katy Perry’s character’s position. There is also an appearance from the singer Rebecca Black who sings the song ‘Friday’ which could relate to the title of this current single.
7. The video is narrative based as it follows the story of a ‘Friday Night’. However there is some performance during the instrumental solo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEuQU6a90Pc
1. Chris Brown ft Justin Bieber- Next To You
Pop
Directed by Colin Tilley
The pop genre is usually oriented towards a youth market. This video defies conventions by being longer than usual as pop songs are usually short and simple. As well as this, pop songs are usually happy, upbeat and easy-going, however this video portrays a slightly deeper meaning.
2. Examples of where the lyrics match the visuals are:
"I have no fear, I know we'll make it through"- This is shown by the younger female character getting out of a car to run to Bieber, showing the audience that they can't be separated and can get through anything, even the devastating events occurring around them.
"One day when the sky is falling, I'll be standing right next to you"- This is conveyed by the apocalyptic events being shown in the video. It is also shown when the older female is hit by the car, the pace of the video slows down and zooms into her face for the audience to see her emotions as well as seeing her mouth the words 'I love you' to Chris Brown.
"I'll be there when you're insecure, let you know that you're always lovely, girl"- The audience sees Bieber and his loved one embrace, with her smiling, showing us that he makes her happy.
"You're the only thing that I got right now"- Both artists are shown with their loved ones with no one around. During the devastation happening around them, their love is all they need.
3. Examples of where the music matches the visuals:
Once the song begins to slow down, the video also does so. It then shows a close-up of Chris Brown to show the audience his emotions.
Once the fast pace kicks back in, the dancing becomes more lively and energetic.
There are quick cuts between Brown and Bieber in order to portray the chaos in the video.
4. In many of Chris Brown's previous videos, he regularly interacts with his dancers by joining in, which is also the same for this video.
Justin Bieber has been steered away from his young, pop image to attract a new, older audience which is helped by the fact that he has collaborated with an established artist such as Chris Brown.
The more mature image is enhanced by the darker, more sinister events being portrayed in the video.
This video has slight similarities with another of Brown's featuring Keri Hilson in which he saves her from being hit by a car, portraying him as the hero. However, this cannot be compared to any of Bieber's previous videos.
5. All characters in this video are appropriately dressed and are not on sexual display during any of the video. While Bieber is trying to portray a more mature image, this also helps to keep his image clean.
6. There are no intertextual references in this video.
7. This video is mostly narrative based with some performance, however the performance is based in the same setting as the rest of the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEuQU6a90Pc
1. Chris Brown ft Justin Bieber- Next To You
Pop
Directed by Colin Tilley
The pop genre is usually oriented towards a youth market. This video defies conventions by being longer than usual as pop songs are usually short and simple. As well as this, pop songs are usually happy, upbeat and easy-going, however this video portrays a slightly deeper meaning.
2. Examples of where the lyrics match the visuals are:
"I have no fear, I know we'll make it through"- This is shown by the younger female character getting out of a car to run to Bieber, showing the audience that they can't be separated and can get through anything, even the devastating events occurring around them.
"One day when the sky is falling, I'll be standing right next to you"- This is conveyed by the apocalyptic events being shown in the video. It is also shown when the older female is hit by the car, the pace of the video slows down and zooms into her face for the audience to see her emotions as well as seeing her mouth the words 'I love you' to Chris Brown.
"I'll be there when you're insecure, let you know that you're always lovely, girl"- The audience sees Bieber and his loved one embrace, with her smiling, showing us that he makes her happy.
"You're the only thing that I got right now"- Both artists are shown with their loved ones with no one around. During the devastation happening around them, their love is all they need.
3. Examples of where the music matches the visuals:
Once the song begins to slow down, the video also does so. It then shows a close-up of Chris Brown to show the audience his emotions.
Once the fast pace kicks back in, the dancing becomes more lively and energetic.
There are quick cuts between Brown and Bieber in order to portray the chaos in the video.
4. In many of Chris Brown's previous videos, he regularly interacts with his dancers by joining in, which is also the same for this video.
Justin Bieber has been steered away from his young, pop image to attract a new, older audience which is helped by the fact that he has collaborated with an established artist such as Chris Brown.
The more mature image is enhanced by the darker, more sinister events being portrayed in the video.
This video has slight similarities with another of Brown's featuring Keri Hilson in which he saves her from being hit by a car, portraying him as the hero. However, this cannot be compared to any of Bieber's previous videos.
5. All characters in this video are appropriately dressed and are not on sexual display during any of the video. While Bieber is trying to portray a more mature image, this also helps to keep his image clean.
6. There are no intertextual references in this video.
7. This video is mostly narrative based with some performance, however the performance is based in the same setting as the rest of the video.
