Dojo Rising

It is mainly a narrative music video but it still has some Performance in it as the main character, i.e. the little girl singing. This therefore makes it a combination music video. Narrative: it is the little girl's birthday party, everything is chaotic and disastrous. The clown that was hired ends up stealing 'money' turning into a wanted criminal. The video then proceeds with the little girl chasing after him with the police. Camera shots are slow paced throughout the whole video as well as the editing. The lighting used us mostly natural. Costume: the little girl is dressed in a little princess outfit. The clowns that represent the criminals are dressed in clown clothes with clown makeup.

Scar

This music video is a combination of performance and narrative.

Narrative: The main character seems to be on a long journey, the destination remains unknown. A car drives past the main character without stopping leaving him isolated.  There is no civilization and the journey appears to be doomed from the start. The character ends up dying at the end after rubbing a foreign object on his hands and arms, drawing blood.

Camera shots and movement: Throughout the music video a variety of shots are used to keep the audience focused and engaged; they are used because the character is walking majority of the time which it quite boring. The different shots make the video interesting. Multiple establishing shots are used to establish the setting which appears to be in the middle of nowhere. Close up shots are used to draw attention to significant objects such as the red tape tied around his shoe; the colour red could be foreshadowing what is going to happen. There is also a close up of an empty plastic bottle; the fact that there is no more water could suggest that he might die from dehydration. The camera is shaky when he climbs this mushy rock; he has trouble climbing it, he shows signs of hardship. Close up shots of the artist’s face are also often used to show that the character is the lead male vocalist of the band. Medium shots are used to show the artist’s costume. The camera is constantly moving backwards at a slow pace. There are also some panning shots to keep the focus on the character. Over the shoulder shots are used to show the audience where the character is heading, however it still remains confusing. The director also used over the shoulder shots to show a small picture with a message written behind, ‘head north until the road runs out’ it’s ironic because there is no road; he is isolated in a peculiar place. ,

Editing: There is a close up of the man washing his face with water from a river/lake. The shot seems to be flipped horizontally putting the water and the man on parallel sides. The editing is fluid and fast paced, the cuts between the shots are quite frequent keeping matching the beat of the music.

Mise-en-scene – The location is unknown, the place is completely deserted leaving the artist isolated. The colours are quite dull which could be reflecting how he feels.

Costume- The artist is dressed in casual smart clothes, with an olive green water proof jacket that matches the green that surrounds him. He’s wearing black shoes with a red tape around one foot; the colour red connotes danger which could be insinuating that he will encounter danger. He’s carrying a big camping backpack with an empty milk plastic bottle attached.

There is a close relationship between the visuals and the lyrics.

‘There is still hope in my heart’ he takes out a red rock that could symbolize his heart and throws it away.

‘It’s just so hard’ the character struggles climbing a mushy rock illustrating the hardship. 

This is what I said

This is a performance music video; the band members sing and play instruments throughout the whole music video. This is typical of the indie rock genre as band/artists tend to showcase their talents in music videos. This to show the audience that there are good performers and that the audience should see them at live performance.

Camera shots: There are establishing shots used to show the location which is an isolated island. There several close ups of a circular mirror swirling, reflecting its background.

There also close up shots of the singers; it leaves a permanent imprint of their face in the audience’s mind.

 There are long shots of the band members laying instruments; the use of instruments as props once against shows that they are serious about their music and career. It showcases their talent. The camera often moves carelessly around the drum player, creating a shaky effect. It matches the drum beat he is playing.

Editing: There is a lot of distortion; the circular mirror reflects the background is in the middle of the forest, it continuously makes a watery effect. Pull focus is also used to introduce the female character; it moves from the male singer to her singing behind him. In another shot the female seems in a transparent box but still standing next to him. A luminous pyramid emerges from the sea; white specs come off it before it goes back into the sea. The editor deliberately played around with the effects to create a distorting effect; it confuses the audience but at the same time it keeps them interested.  

Mise-en-scene:

The location is a deserted island; the band is completely alone there.  They are surrounded by nature; the setting conforms to indie rock conventions. It shows that they are laid back and simple minded people.

Costume: They are dressed casually; this conforms to the indie rock conventions. The simple style makes them relatable to audience; they aren’t wearing overpriced fashionable clothing.

Male singer: burgundy plaid shirt, brown shoes and khaki trousers.

Female singer: bright pink dress and black shoes.

Drum player: a baby blue blouse, black trousers, necklace and glasses.

Electric Guitar player: jeans, white t-shirt underneath a baby blue blouse.

Keyboard player: not seen.