Music Video's

^4Th October:

Music Videos

From my last post I picked a selection of slightly older films which although artistic, could limit my project’s marks as they do not use modern software at my disposal like colour grading.

As well as this, something that greatly interests me is the quality of modern music videos from my favourite genre, rock. Gone are the grainy quality and still camera motions of a rock video that would typically be of the band just playing their instruments, instead replaced by far more creative and stylistic images. Many of which do not have a narrative.

My first choice is 'The Catalyst' by a particular favourite band of mine, 'Linkin Park'.

In the first 30 seconds of the video there are a wide range of different camera movements, shots, focus and lighting. The first few frames cut between mid-shots to close-ups very abruptly, even on the same subject which would be a definite no no on a motion picture. These frames could easily be used with a standard Canon 18-55mm though admittedly the picture quality would not be as crisp. There is no pattern to the movement of shots, one will be still whereas another will be scanning to the left/right, or otherwise panning upwards. A jip and tracker could achieve these shots. In one instance a simple out of focus shot causes singer's face to become less clear which blends well with the smokey background.

A huge element here is the post production phase. Much effort has been put into the colour grading to give the video it's dark look and tint of green. It is likely the director and cinematographer would have collaborated on this early to decide what each band member and extra would be wearing. As seen they played it safe by dressing them in black.

You can also tell work has been done in post to create the shadow being cast from the singer's hood as well to brighten his mouth. This is evident as there is no harsh light angled above that would physically produce this contrast however the images are so quickly cut together that the viewer doesn't have anytime to question it. 

Another music video I particularly is Rise Against's 'Saviour'.

The opening is what particularly stands out to me for it's use of natural lighting. The lead singer's face is revealed from a red flare which stands out vibrantly against the almost black background. As he turns into darkness he moves the light away from him so that the darkness conceals his face. Simple yet effective in fading his face in and out. What's very interesting is that the warehouse in the background and the lamppost are not shining a white light but red instead to show the depth of field yet it does not take away from the red colour scheme the scene is aiming for.

Later on some diverse slanted angle's are used to match the riot which is going on between those dressed as stuffed animals. The side angle gives a sense of chaos and could easily be achieved through hand held camera work.

To conclude with what I find most interesting is, ironically, how music video's have the little amount of rhythm between shots. Colours will change, angles will slide in a split second which in film would make for an unusual experience yet for the fast beat of a music video it works well.

This is beginning to make me think how this style could transfer over to film. Going back to my first post, Raging Bull uses a similar unfocussed style during the fight scene which work as being the sensation that La Motta's character is going through.