Song Meaning and Video Narrative.
The video is a performance video but takes this a step further by showing what the band do between shows in the form of a short mock documentary. It shows the band in travel meaning we see how hard they work, this is narcissistic as the band are in a way showing us how great and hard working they are although for a fan this is voyeuristic as we enjoy seeing the band off stage as it allows us to know more about them and allows us to feel like we can travel with them. The narrative is non-linear and jumps from performance to documentary. The songs meaning is about the lead singer’s time between bands when he was all alone trying to perform and then finding his current band and moving on to something better.
Mise-en-Scene
The video starts showing the band arriving at the airport with their luggage and we are shown departures lists showing the band are travelling somewhere. Iconic shots of London let us know this is where the band has traveled to. All of this is to show where the band is performing and give an idea of the travelling the band has to go through from gig to gig. Shots of locations are then followed by shots of the band preparing to perform or doing other work associated with the band. There are lots of shots of the audience’s reaction throughout the video showing how much they enjoy the show. There are more shots of the band both back and on stage interwoven until 1:25 where shots of famous French buildings are shows. Like the shots of classic London buildings this signifies a change of location and directly after we are shown shots of the band traveling to this location. Now at multiple points the lead singer Miles Kennedy starts to be shown stood alone on stage or alone in rooms. This reflects the meaning of the song which is about the lead singer’s time between bands when he was all alone trying to perform and then finding his current band and moving on to something better. At 2:00 the lead singer is shown standing on stage as the only one lit facing out into complete black which slowly fades to reveal a crowd, the shot after this is also similar showing lights slowly moving up to reveal a crowd. This I think is bringing emphasis to how big the crowds are that come to see the band and to let us know Miles did used to perform alone. Part way through the songs guitar solo we are shown the coliseum in Rome letting us know another change in location and continuing the on-going tour theme.
Cinematography
The shots of Iconic London Buildings and locations are all done as a time lapse meaning what may be an hours worth of film is condensed down into a few seconds quickening the pace of the film to match the pace of the track. The shots of them performing are conventional Heavy Rock/Metal shots. Most are low angle close-ups making the band seem dramatic and powerful as well as highlighting their skill on their instruments. The camera is mounted through tout these shots increasing the look and production value. This is contrasting to the documentary shots that are hand held Cinéma vérité or "fly on the wall documentary" shots meaning the band in the shots are aware of the cameras presence as are we as the audience. Alot of the documentary shots are shot in black and white which is inter textual to other historic music documentaries such as "Bob Dylan - Don't Look Back" or "The Beatles - A Hard Days Night"
The shots of Iconic London Buildings and locations are all done as a time lapse meaning what may be an hours worth of film is condensed down into a few seconds quickening the pace of the film to match the pace of the track. The shots of them performing are conventional Heavy Rock/Metal shots. Most are low angle close-ups making the band seem dramatic and powerful as well as highlighting their skill on their instruments. The camera is mounted through tout these shots increasing the look and production value. This is contrasting to the documentary shots that are hand held Cinéma vérité or "fly on the wall documentary" shots meaning the band in the shots are aware of the cameras presence as are we as the audience. Alot of the documentary shots are shot in black and white which is inter textual to other historic music documentaries such as "Bob Dylan - Don't Look Back" or "The Beatles - A Hard Days Night"
Editing
At 0:08 we get shown a plane landing signalling to us they have arrived at their destination. Juxtaposed to this is a montage of shots showing iconographic London buildings.this The speed of the editing throughout the song depends on informs us of where the band has landed. Most of the editing related directly to how fast the music part is. Such as at the beginning of the solo as the tempo of the song speeds up so does the editing to match and afterward in the breakdown the pace slows and so does the editing.
Sound
The sound throughout is the song there is no additional diagetic sound in the video but the music is in time with the video so the performances you see on stage match the part of the song they represent. At certain parts the lyrics reinforce what we see on the screen such as at 2:00 when the lyric “Isolation” comes up the lead singer is shown alone on stage the same lyric is later repeated and again the lead singer is shown alone in a room. This is what we seen on screen and the song reinforcing each other and the song meaning. As the words “to make things better” are sung multiple times after the solo we are shown shots of miles on and off stage with the rest of the band letting us know this is who he is referring too.
No comments:
Post a Comment