Example #3

MS MR - Bones

OpeningThis video is a lot different to the previous examples I have studied, as well as being different to many music videos today. The opening seems simplistic yet effective, with simple a title introduction accompanied by a out-dated PLAY symbol, suggesting the music videos genre of being not mainstream and maybe for the more eccentric types, that visit the internet frequently and/or interested in technology.

Initial development

The video develops with the lyrics to the track being presented in a form of title sequences, which encapsulates the audience into extended thought about the words onscreen. The lyrics themselves are quite dark, yet are displayed in a quite blasé manner, and this juxtaposition results in a sense of unease.

Chorus

The chorus section of the video involves again a lot of quick editing, and has a sense of continuity with the rest of the video by the use of static and a blue screen, used at the very start of the video, which further amplifies the genre. The lyrics are continued to be shown in the same format as previously.

Further development

After the chorus the video develops even further, bringing in new abstract patterns and representations of the lyrics. There is the use of static to ensure continuity, as well as a ‘fuzzy’ appearance to the video as a whole, again further suggesting the genre. The presentation of lyrics is widely abstract and contrasting to one another, seemingly random at an initial glance yet similar to one another after studying closely.

Development into bridge section

The following section to the video gives a sense of tension building, with shots between screens becoming increasingly quicker and then slowing down in pace, before an explosion of multiple screens displaying the lyrics. In the shot top right, the lyrics ‘candy bar creep show’ are shown, which is the title of the artist’s EP, and is the only direct reference to the artist in the entire video.

Climax/last chorusThe ‘climax’ section of the video begins with a less than a millisecond display of yet again the blue screen, which enforces continuity across the video. After this the same lyrics from the chorus are displayed multiple times across several screens, and the increase of pace suggests that this is the focal point of the video.

Ending

The final section of the video is not many others, as an oddly-shaped object is displayed for a good half a minute before a blue screen is displayed, signifying the end. The blue screens throughout the video signal a new sections, and the final one indicates the video has come to a close.

This theory is broken down into 6 main points. They are as follows:

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals3. There is a relationship between music and visuals4. The record label will have demands to include close-ups

of the artist, meaning the artist may develop motifs across their work

5. There is frequently reference to the notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body

6. There is often intertextual reference

Goodwin’s theory of music videos

Music videos demonstrate genre

The use of animation throughout the video suggests that the genre is alternative, and that the demographic would be people who are regularly involved with technology and the internet, as much of the animation has a gamer-esque feel to it.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals

Evidently, there is a relationship between the lyrics to the track and visuals, as the lyrics are displayed word-for-word across abstract animations.

Relationship between music and visuals

The pace of the music mirrors frequently the pace of the transition in animation, as the climatic point of the video comes to the fore, the animations becomes increasingly rapid than previously.

Close ups/development of motifs

As the video is entirely animation with no appearance from the artist whatsoever, there are no close-ups of them. The only direct reference to the artist is the shot top right showing the title to the artist’s EP. Motifs that reoccur simply are the lyrics from the chorus, but displayed in a variety of font and animation styles.

Notion of looking/voyeurism

As previously discussed there is no appearance of the artist in the entire video, so direct representation of looking and voyeurism is a little complicated. However as a viewer we can experience a notion of voyeuristic looking as the lyrics are being directly displayed to us, and in the final section of the video it seems as it we are being drawn closer to the mysterious object, as if we are looking into another world or dimension.

Intertextual referenceDuring the bridge section of the video there is reference to the artist’s EP, ‘Candy Bar Creep Show’. This subconsciously imprints the name of the EP in the viewer’s mind, potentially making them aware of the artist’s work if they were to purchase it.

End of slideshow