Music video analysis

1.Lukas Graham 7 Years2.OneRepublic Counting

StarsWojciech Koszynski

Lukas Graham 7 Years

1.Conventions usedMise-en-scene-The actor switches between costumes depending on the part of the lyrics as in some points he is in the present time dressed casually, whereas at a young age he is dressed informally to represent his childish ways.-Lighting is always dark and dull to show how emotional the singer is about singing the lyrics.-Props involve a book and paper scraps to show how he made his way forward in life but also how he failed and done things wrongly by throwing paper scraps.Genre conventions-The video uses a variety of ways to show his relationship with his friends and family via content within and lyrics, also it does follow the trend of making different content because this is a soul-pop song which is a different type of song for this artist.The song is 4 minutes long.Alternative to the pop genre the video doesn’t consist of dancing, clubbing or any modern day conventions of pop but does follow trends from previous years.

Locations(1.)Locations:-Theatre-Graveyard-Town-Suburbs-Industrial park

This is a typical convention of a Music video having at least3 locations

2. CameraworkThe video uses a wide range of different angles, shots and movementsMid shot Long shot Bird’s eye view

Two shot Close up Over the

shoulder

The video used a variety of angles such as the low and high angle. As well as angles they used movements such as pan, cut, backwards track, tilt and crane

3. EditingMost of the focus and timing in the music video is on the main actor or singer, nobody else gets much screen time as the singer is cut into the centre of attention in the shot. In terms of transitions, the editing just consisted straight cuts until the end when the shot dissolves to black. Also, the video uses special effects such as slow motion and explosions.

4. Sound

The video consists of a mixture between diegetic and nondiegetic sounds as the singer is sometimes seen singing but in some areas he is not but you can still hear him.

Also, the instruments in the song are non diegetic but still heard.

5. Genre

The genre of the song is Soul-pop as it has the right conventions of being unique, different, about relationships and how one person feels about something. The reason why it's also soul is because the music is calm and some major conventions of a pure pop song are not met in the song such as performance.

6. Narrative

The whole story of the song is about the life of the singer Lukas Graham, this is mainly represented in the lyrics, however glimpses of the video represent the meaning behind the lyrics or the video represents the lyrics. This helps the music video become more emotional and brings the story alive.

7. Performance

The performance within the video consists of the artist singing in front of audiences at a theatre, he sings the lyrics from the sing, which is all in sync with the video and song. The only real movement are hand gestures.

8. Media language

The actions and events used in the video do not exactly express what the lyrics suggest. However, the song is about age and change throughout, this was represented by the main actor singing alongside other actors that match the timeline of the song. Also, the signs and gestures show the attitude that the singer has because at times he is seen throwing paper scraps showing he has given up, but then he continues writing. Also, at the end the book with notes explodes maybe suggests he is done with the things he did before him.

9. RepresentationThe video is a representation of the singers life and the family & friend values he follows, also it shows how important are the events that occur in one’s life and that they can have a great impact on their future life, for example near the end the singer reflects on the life of his father and wonders whether he will be like him. Also, throughout the song the artist says things about friends and his friends are visually represented as well which represents the importance friends have on him, as they seem to keep him happy and engaged in his profession as they are always beside him.

10. Institutions

Copenhagen RecordsCopenhagen Records is a Danish record label formed on 5 January 2004 by former EMI Recorded Music Denmark staff members to give artists more artistic autonomy.

11. Values and Ideologies The main value that the music video promotes is family and friends because throughout the lyrics it always suggests how important family and friends are to people on the roads to success. This makes the video extra special because it could make people more appreciative of the people around them as they helped shape who they are now.

Some parts of the music video indicate an ideology of life is too short, make the most of it which basically means take your opportunities when they arrive because you might not get another chance.

OneRepublic Counting Stars

1.Conventions usedMise-en-scene-Throughout the music video the main band singing are always wearing casual clothes like a band normally would, however the other group of people are wearing different clothes like smart casuals, casual and work clothes.-Lighting is always bright in the centre of the shot, maybe to make the people in the shot the centre of attention.-Props involve a book and paper scraps to show how he made his way forward in life but also how he failed and done things wrongly by throwing paper scraps.Genre conventions-The video uses a variety of ways to show his relationship with his friends and family via content within and lyrics, also it does follow the trend of making different content because this is a soul-pop song which is a different type of song for this artist.The song is 4 minutes long.Alternative to the pop genre the video doesn’t consist of dancing, clubbing or any modern day conventions of pop but does follow trends from previous years.

Locations(1.)Locations:-Warehouse-Meeting room-Abandoned building

2. CameraworkThe video uses a wide range of different angles, shots and movementsMid shot Long shot Extreme

Long shot

Close up Over the

shoulder

The video used a variety of angles such as the low and high angle. As well as angles they used movements such as pan, cut, track, tilt, crane and zoom

3. Editing

Most of the focus and timing in the music video is on the band and main singer to give them more recognition. However, there is some focus on a meeting with several people, mostly on the man with a tie because he seems to be the organiser/leader

In terms of transitions, the editing just consisted straight cuts

4. Sound

The video consists of a mixture between diegetic and nondiegetic sounds as the singer is sometimes seen singing but in some areas he is not but you can still hear him.

Also, the instruments in the song are non diegetic but still heard.

5. Genre

The genre of the song is Pop rock as it has the right conventions of being unique, different and about relationships. Also, in performance areas the cuts between shots are quicker, costumes are casual and there's bright lighting. The reason why it's also rock is because the music is quick but the lyrics are a bit slower and some major conventions of a pure pop song are not met such as the pure link between song and visuals.

6. Narrative

The narrative of the video shows a meeting room full of sad people, however a man came in and inspired them to open themselves up and be whoever they want to be as they begin dancing and enjoying the moment.

7. Performance

The performance in the video consists of people performing dance moves such as the worm and people jumping around having fun and spreading good vibes.

8. Media language

The actions and events used in the video do not exactly express what the lyrics suggest. However, the song is about money not being a way to be happy in life and the man that entered the meeting room made everyone change from looking depressed to happy again from the smallest things, which shows people can find great happiness at difficult times from little things. Also, the setting of the abandoned room maybe shows the past ruined things and the crocodile represents danger still roaming if people return to the past.

9. RepresentationThe video is a representation of where people can get happiness from and where the danger lies, which the place people can get happiness from is from people. Also, it represents unity of people coming together to all be happy without dispute, for example when the man inspires one person everyone follows and they don't care if they have differences as they just want have fun as one.

10. Institutions

Interscope Records is an American record label. It is a division of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, whose parent company is the Universal Music Group, a subsidiary of Vivendi S.A.

11. Values and Ideologies The value that the music video promotes is happiness can come from little things and combined with the lyrics it shows that without money people can be happy, as the lyrics show that money is not needed and the video brings the happy and good vibes from difficult situations.