Video Analysis 1

Counting Stars-

One republic

The music video I have analysed is Counting Stars by One Republic. The video is shown below.

Clothing

The clothing for the band is very similar they are all wearing black tops and black jeans; they are slightly washed out and rugged. Highlighting the look of the band. They are casual and comfy yet fit in with the genre of the music. By all having similar clothing you are highlighting that this is the band they are all professional yet willing to express their music and by doing this they are wearing clothes that fits in with the music. In terms of the story line for the video the characters are wearing their own clothing, there is a gentlemen who seems to be the ‘leader’ or ‘ preacher’ of a room of people. He is older and wearing a short sleeved green shirt and brown trousers. The viewer is able to see that this character plays a significant role in the video as he has more screen time that the other characters within the room as well as standing at the front of the room and having everyone staring at him. The other characters in the room are all dressed in ordinary clothing, they vary in terms of the gender of the characters and the age. This shows how they are ordinary people listening to a motivational speech.

Mise-En-Scene

To start off with the video does not introduce all instruments straight away. There is a guitar solo, which is in sync with the lyrics of the song up until the line ‘we’ll be counting stars’, which is the title of this song. As this line lingers with the vocals the instruments start to pick up and you hear more guitars, drums and a keyboard. For each verse the drum is extremely prominent as there is a constant beat for the background. This is something that enables the audience to associate with the song. The keyboard is an element that adds a vocal aspect to the video even though it is part of the instruments this adds a higher tone to the sound of the video almost harmonising with the vocals.

As the choruses end the main instruments reduce in sound to highlight what the lead singer is saying and therefore enabling the audience to hear what they are saying. This engages their target audience as songs with easy lyrics to understand make the listener want to learn them and therefore the video gains popularity. Their are significant claps during the end section of the music video. They are made louder and more predominant which catches the audeinces attention and will entice them into the beat of the song and therefore make them have a feel good moment which all songs try to acheive. As you hear the drum during the different chorus sections the editing highlights the sound as there is a shot of this.

Sound

The chorus of the video I fast paced cut transitions, which shows the intensity of the chorus. The instruments are also used in order for this to be shown and therefore this makes the viewer notice the intensity of the chorus. At the end of the song there are fast paced cut transitions used in order for the viewer to notice that the song is coming to the end.

Editing

Continuity editing is used in order for the main story to be told throughout the video. The screen time is predominantly on the lead singer and the leader of the class. The lead singer has the most shots and therefore this highlights tot he viewer that this is the lead singer. Parallel cutting is used between each scene of the warehouse and the room throughout the video and as the video comes to an end there is clear parallel cutting of the people jumping up and down and the result this has on the ceiling of the room the band are playing in.

Insert shots are used when showing the leader looking to the left and then a shot of the person to his left to highlight the piano being played. The editing has been used to highlight the lyrics at the beginning of the video. The lyrics state ‘everything that kills me makes me feel alive’ there is a shot inserted at these lyrics of water dripping to a light bulb and an alligator in the warehouse which are factors that may kill you. This makes the viewer engage with the lyrics of the song and therefore makes them want to carry on listening to the song.

Shot reverse shot is used at the end of the man falling through the roof. This enables the viewer to understand the storyline due to this being a sound effect as well as a final scene for the video. The shot reverse shot shows the two scenarios coming together after both separate scenarios are going on finalising the meaning of the song.

At the end of the song there is a repetitive clapping. the clapping is made louder and louder throughout this chorus. Their and shots inserted from both the band and the people within the speech clapping to this song. the ordinary people are perceived to be clapping at the song however they are clapping at the speech instead.

Camera Movement, shots, angles and composition.

Low angle shot behind main singer, tracking shot following him walking. This establishes that this is the lead singer of the band and makes the viewer seem slightly inferior due to them looking up to him. this also them makes the audience more focused on the lead singer. There is a pan shot of the water dripping followed by a bird’s eyeshot of the stairs this establishes that this is were the lyrics are mainly being vocalised and were the scene is set making it more appealing for the audience. A slow-motion of the water running is used to show its way of travelling to the light bulb which fits in with the lyrics ‘everything that kills me makes me feel alive’

A focus pull is used of the wall to the alligator and back to shows the intensity of the alligator and how this is the danger that is spoken about in the lyrics. This makes the user more engaged with the song. To show the band there is a wide shot often a hand held camera is used. There is also an eye line match that is used for this which makes the viewer feel as though they are on the same page and equal within the band. There is a ped down and a tilt up of the guitar to band member and the other way round. This establishes who the main people are within the band.

When there is a shot of the band it is often a hand held camera with a wide-angle shot. This makes the viewer feel a personal connection with the song, as they are lead to believe that they are within the room of the band.

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Setting

The setting is an old warehouse. It comes across as abandoned due to there being holes in the ceiling, unpainted chipped walls, no furniture, carpet or ornaments. This is used for the verses of when the lead singer has the solo verses to set the scene for the viewer. The band is in a basement; they have their instruments and lighting that flickers at certain points of the music. It is worn out and very dull. The colours are browns and greys making the room feel cold and empty. The main characters of the story are in a small box room or meeting room. Chairs are laid out in a regimented style. Like an assembly or speech showing that there is clearly a motivational speech being told. The order within the room makes the room seem significant for the story and the lyrics of the song.

setting
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Lighting
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Lighting

The lighting is very dull throughout the video, artificial lighting above them lights the warehouse shot, and this is constantly flickering highlighting the intensity of the music in terms of the drums and guitars. Lamps and main lights also artificially light the room; the walls are dark browns therefore making the lighting seem duller. As the main singer is singing certain verses he is in an abandoned house, this is lit by natural lighting, which makes the viewer listen to the key vocals.

Props

There are multiple props used throughout the video, these consist of things that fit the lyrics of the video- ‘everything that kills me makes me feel alive’ therefore they have shots of things that could kill you. These consist of things such as alligators roaming around the abandoned house. Water running through a light bulb or main electricity point. Props are used around the different rooms such as old furniture to set the scene of the abandoned home. The instruments are used to highlight the band and the song. Smaller Props are also used throughout the Video. These consist of things such as picture frames, old chairs, tables, lamps etc. these add to the scenes and create a dull and mellow feeling when watching the video.

Props
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