Detailed Analysis (Music Video) - This too shall pass by Ok Go

The music video above by Ok Go appears to have been filmed in one long, continuous, un-broken shot, much like the famous sequence from good fellas. However, this is not the case, infact clever special effects have been used to edit the video, making it appear seemless and as though the shot is continuous, when actually the video is made up of several shots. The plain, dull warehouse is the only location used, however the sequence of connected tricks which is clearly the focus of the video bring the simple location to life. The band members all feature in the video and act as catalysts in the sequence of connected tricks. The sequence ends with the four band members being covered in paint, drawing the focus back to them. The whole set up of the video resembles the well known game 'mouse trap'.

Ok Go often produce music videos that involve just one location and are filmed in one continuous shot. The videos for their songs, 'Here we go again' and 'White knuckle' are just some examples. Again, in these videos the main (and only) characters are the four band members. The videos are all relatively simple and cheap to produce, yet due to their originality they are highly memorable, which is key as essentially a music video is used to promote the band.

I love Ok Go's unique and interesting music videos, however as my groups production will involve creating a horror trailer, we will not be using their videos as inspiration for this project.

General Analysis - Smack my bitch up by Prodigy

Story: The video has a clear narrative, which is unusual for the type of music. There is also a unexpected twist at the end of the video which helps to make it more memorable.

Setting: There are several different locations used, including clubs, bars and the character's appartment. These locations fit the genre of music and appeal to the target audience, who probably visit similar places and can relate to the content of the video in some way.

Character: Like many dance music videos the band do not appear feature in the video. The storyline however seems like something the band would and has experienced. Throughout the audience are made to think that the main character is male, however it is revealed at the end of the video that the main character is in fact a woman.

Costume: The colthing worn by the characters is what you would expect people in nightclubs and bars to wear, which fits the genre, helping to attract the target audience. Also, many of the woman are dressed in sexy, sometimes even erotic, clothing which will appeal to many of the male members of the audience.

Lyrics: There are very few lyrics which is generally expected of dance music. The few lyrics that there are do have a slight link to the narrative.

Special effects: As the entire video is done from the main character's perspective, using point of view shots, some effects have been used to show that the character is drunk.

Camera angles: Point of view shots are used throughout. This helps to hide the main character's identity, allowing for the surprising twist at the end. It also helps to make the video fast and dynamic, fitting the genre of music.

General Analysis - Buddy Holly by Weezer

Story: The story is kept simple so that there is more focus on the fact that the band are appearing in an episode of 'Happy Days'.

Setting: There is only one location used - 'Happy Days, Arnold's'. The location and set-up reflect the simple storyline, whilst also making the video simple to produce. Also, from a technical point of view having just one location makes it easier to combine the old and new footage. 

Characters: The band feature in the video and are clearly the focus, which is what the audience expect. Stars from 'Happy Days' also feature in the video, along with fans. The people dancing whilst listening to the band are representative of the band's fans. 

Costume: Everyone in the video is wearing old, 70's style clothing. This style of clothing is representative of the time period that 'Happy Days' was broadcast during.

Lyrics: The lyrics do not have any relation to the video, however this doesn't matter as the 'Happy Days' episode is selling the band. 

Special effects: The old footage of the 'Happy Days' episode and the new footage of the band have been skillfully combined, so that the band appear as though they are actually featuring in an episode of 'Happy Days'. 

Camera angles: Wide-shots are used to show the band as a unit and the crowd. Close-ups are used to show members of the band and famous 'Happy Days' characters individually.

General Analysis - The scientist by Coldplay, 2002

Story: This video has a clear narrative that is told in reverse. This helps interest the viewer as the song has a relatively slow tempo. Also, Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, is the main focus of the video which will appeal to Coldplay fans.

Setting: The whole video is set outdoors in several different locations, including a highstreet, basketball court, woods and train station. These locations fit the story that is being told, whilst also helping to interest the viewer.

Characters: Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, is the main character. He is very well recognised as being the frontman of Coldplay and so helps to sell the song. The other vital character is Chris Martin's character's girlfriend. The love story between the 2 characters featured in the video will appeal to the majority of the band's audience.

Costume: The clothing worn by the characters in the video is plain and dull, which fits the slow tempo song well. Dressing the characters in ordinary, everyday clothing also helps the audience (average, working class members of the public) to relate.

Lyrics: The lyrics are meaningful and emotive, much like the story being told in the video.

Special effects: The entire video is played in reverse, whilst Chris Martin sings the song. This must have been extremely hard to film as Chris would have had to learn and sing the song backwards during filming, so that the song would play as normal once the video was put into reverse. Telling the story in reverse is unique and interesting and so helps to maintain the viewer's attention throughout the song.

Camera angles: There are many mid-shots and close-ups used. The close-ups are vital as the song and video are emotive, and close-ups help to portray this. The editing throughout is slow to fit the slow tempo.

Music Video - 'We used to wait' by Arcade fire

Arcade fire have converged a normal music video with the internet/web 2.0. To access the video the viewer must visit www.thewildernessdowntown.com and type in the postcode of their childhood address. The song, 'We used to wait' by Arcade fire, is about childhood and the video intends to give the viewer the opportunity to virtualy revisit their childhood home. During the song several windows pop up on the screen containing different footage. The fixed music video footage is of a person running down a street in the darkness - throughout there is always a window playing this. A mixture of long-shots, mid-shots and extreme close-ups are used when tracking the runner. The footage in the other windows is taken from Google maps and Google street view, and varies depending on the postcode entered. Each box pops up to the beat of the music. Towards the end of the song a window opens that allows the user to write a postcard to their younger selves in a tree branch style font.

Grid of 9 - Hancock

Grid of 9 - Taken