Music video's within my chosen genre analysis (1-2)

The music video 'This is Gospel' by Panic at the Disco, the genre of this band is indie pop/ rock.
The narrative within this music video is constructed to show the singer of the band fighting to be free of the 'darkness' which he does in the end as he battles, and finally goes into the light, leaving his body behind to be consumed by the darkness.

The artist is seen to be in casual clothing, which allows the audience to relate and link themselves to the singer with ease, meaning that the audience will also relate to the video's imagery and the message of the lyrics. Shots that stand out to me are the birds eye views of the singer fighting off the doctors as the chorus is sung, as it makes the singer look vulnerable, but also connotes that he is trying to fight and will not stop fighting for his own life, and will not be tied down to something he doesn't want (which also explains the use of ropes trying to pull him back into darkness)

The video is set on a black background, and the location seems not to chance, e.g. although it is clear that within the narrative the singer dies on the hospital bed and is then placed within the coffin, we are shown mid way through the music video that the location does not chance but the props do in order to give the illusion of a scene change. The dominant colour used is black to which the singer is trying to escape, which shows connotations of the singer trying to escape something that is giving him pain, which in the case of the music video, is a partner, 'if you love me let me go'

The editing used within this music video fits the tempo of the song, and is fast cut, however the use of slow motion is used on many different cases, for instance on the lyric 'if you love me let me go' the singer is seen in slow motion surging from the bed, which connotes the actions importance, the same is used when the singer breaks out of the coffin full of water.

There is always movement in this video, from the camera and also always from what's being filmed, the camera however helps tell the narrative as it changes shots from birds eye, to close up's.  The shots used are simple, for instance close up's and mid shots, however the camera tilts up and down, for instance when the singer is strapped to the hospital bed, which establishes to audience members where the singer is so they are not confused.

When it comes to audience members I would say that there is no apparent threat shown within this video, and although some elements may seem unsettling, for example placing a needle into his arm, and being nailed shut into a coffin. The music video although fits within the genre target audience as it shows the band's singer, and also uses imagery which reflects the lyrics.



'Let me go' symbolic imagery of ropes and hands holding him back meaning that he can't escape connotes that the person can't let him go and he can't continue with his life, however he breaks free of the ropes at the end of the music video.



Analysis two:





The music video 'The Kill' by Thirty seconds to mars shows the narrative of the band arriving at a hotel for a holiday, and are greeted with a note asking the band to stay out of one room, room 6277, the music video then follows the band on their 'get away' and the events that come to follow.  The music however does not play the song from beginning to end, it however stops and starts, giving the illusion that the music video is more of a short film, which gives the video more depth and more of a chance for the narrative to develop.

This music video contains Intertextuality, with the film 'The shining' which then allows audience members relate and also recognise locations and characters, such as the woman who came out of the shower (2:56) and the bartender (4:34) although the are played by other actors, or the band members themselves. By using Intertextuality, it widens the audience member's to reach out to both fans of the film 'The Shining' and also the band 'Thirty seconds to mars' meaning that it plays as a positive for both media products, and fans of the band are more likely to search for the film, and fans of the film are more likely to then start listening to the band.

 'This is who I really am' is shown in the video to be the lead singer fighting himself, therefore showing connotations of the singing to be fighting against his past to stay the man he has become 'inside, finally found myself, fighting for the chance I know now, this is who I really am' (3:36)  The editing within the video is fast paced to match the tempo of the song, with mostly a split screen, for example when the band members are greeted with themselves, the editing does not glitch and looks as though there are actually two of the same person in the room.
Towards the ending of the video the band and also other actors are placed into a 'warped split screen' as though the audience are seeing double, which links with the video and also the lyrics as the song is about not caring what people think anymore, and they can do what they like, say what they like about them (the band) but they have changed for the better and intend to stay that way 'come break me down bury me, bury me, I am finished with you'

The use of conventions is clearly made out to audience members as being an 'alternative' band due to the use of dim lighting, and also costume and make up on the band members, for instance all dressed in black with painted black nails, and to then change into suit and tie with the black eyeliner staying as a constant iconic feature to the band, there is also live performance of the band towards the end of the music video looking as though they are in period dressing which suits the era of the hotel, which again allows audience members to identify what band they are watching and also what genre. The band are also seen to be playing themselves and not a character, which allows audience to establish who the band are without confusion.


The use of shots within this music video is varied and always changing from one shot to the other, therefore keeping the attention of the audience, the shots include close up's, medium long shots establishing shot etc...
The music video also uses a pan (1:25) across the counter of the bar, as well as high angles which show connotations of the band members being vulnerable towards the events to unfold in the rest of the music video (eg. the fast cuts to the bloody woman and the creepy teddy bear) The shots help to tell the narrative because it allows audience to decode from the connotations and also allows the audience to have an inkling that something is not entirely right with the hotel.


I would put this music video to the rating of a 12 because although the use of threat is not throughout the video, there are some scenes that viewers may find disturbing, such as the woman covered in blood. The music video however does fit the genre target audience because all themes used fit within the conventions, reflect the song lyrics, and also relates to fans of the film 'The Shining' and the band.









By doing this it has aided me with my own music because now I know what elements I can replicate when it comes to my own music video (such as birds eye shots, minus the creepy doctors) as then it allows me to achieve the best possible grade that I can to when it comes to make my music video.