My favorite music videos (analysis)

Gorrilaz are a band I enjoy listening to and I find their music expressive and entertaining. They present their characters in the form of animation within their music videos. Such as the music video 'Dirty Harry.'

The key aspects that I like within this video are:
- The costume
- The effects
- the atmosphere / location
- Camera shots

Here is my explanation for each aspect:

The costume:

The costume used within this music video expresses both the personality and style of the band and the music video. For example the animated band members are dressed in army gear to represent the music for the video and what also i noticed the costumes refer to the title of the song which is "dirty harry" as you can see the costumes are dirty due to the sand on their uniforms etc.

The effects:

The main effect used within this video are of course animation. The incredible effects of animation give the illusion that the gorillaz band members are mixed in with real life and the people such as the rapper (solider). This effect is very effective in making the audience believe that the animated characters are real and not just made up.

The atmosphere / Location:

The chosen location for where this music video is set is very suitable for the song itself and the style of the band. The style of the band is comical yet gritty and this location along with the children make it seem very gritty and at the same time comical, which basically sums up how the band is and shows the audience their gritty / comical side in which they try their best to portray in every music video they produce.

The camera shots:

The camera movements are very fast and quickly cut which adds to the dramatic environment and pitch of song in which this is. There are a variety of shots used from long establishing shots to extreme close ups, but the most apparent shot used for this music video are the establishing / moving camera shots which as i said add to the theme of the music and the video which is dramatic yet comedic.

Dirty Harry by Gorillaz, from the album Demon Days

(c) Gorillaz 2008

Sigur ros is another band I personally like. I really like the music video called Glosoli because it expresses a variety of thoughts and feelings towards the audience, the main thought being confusion, as the band "Sigur Ros" create their own language for their songs, such as this song "Glósóli"

The key aspects that I like within this video are:
- The costume
- The effects
- the atmosphere / location
- Camera shots

Here is my explanation for each aspect:

The costume:

I especially like the costume used within this video as it suits the song and the location really well, this has given me the idea to use not only the music but the costume as-well to express the feelings / meaning of the song itself. I also love the way some of the children are wearing animal looking cotumes for example the bear, as this portrays the animal instict within the children (hence why they are roaming the country side / hills).



The effects:

The effects used within this video are very effective but at the same time very simplistic, such as the blurred background within the first 20 seconds of the video, is a very good effect and makes the footage look more professional, also makes the footage seem kind of cinematic which is also a good point, especially for drawing in the audience.



The atmosphere/location:

The rocky mountain atmosphere works well because it adds to the confusion of the music track, and raises the question: "why are their children in this sort of environment?". I believe The location relates to the song really well, for example the costumes and the environment work really well, as they both represent the war, in some ways or another. this video shows the contrast between children and the war, also it puts their innocence in a whole new category and shows they are more adventurous and individual (unless seen in a group) which in the later scenes of the music video are seen in a big group. The adventurous behavior is strongly expressed through the environment and the vast size of the environment compared with the small children.



The Camera Shots:

The camera shots used within this video range from long shots to very close ups, there are also a range of establishing shots and chase type camera movements within this music video (when the children are running up towards the cliff edge). I personally like the detailed close ups which show the audience the key costume points such as the childrens hats and smart uniforms, and also the expression on the childrens faces which makes the music video more intense and draws the audience into the action more.


What will i keep in mind the most from this music video, while producing / planning my own music video?


I will keep in mind the costumes, as they are well thought out, so therefore for my video i will also think about the type of music and relate that to the cotume (s) in the video. Also i will keep in mind the variety of camera shots and movements used wihtin this video, and try to express as many as these as i can within my own music video (such as the detailed close ups)

Music video by Sigur Ros performing Glósóli with Nicola Doring [Video Producer], Arni and Kinski [Video Director] (C) 2005 Geffen Records