To start my research I looked at 4 completely different music video's and analysed the media techniques used and if I could take inspiration from them.

The first music video I analysed was "We Found Love" by Rihanna and Calvin Harris.

I thought the video was wonderfully diverse, bright, colourful and full of emotion and passion. The video starts with a commentary from a British girl, with a slow and almost haunting piano playing at the start. This is highly contrasted by the fast dance beat that then starts, almost giving the video a new meaning and agenda.

As the beat starts to rise up and up at the start of the song the images are of a happy, young and fun loving couple are shown. As the song, and the story progresses we learn that they have an abundance of drugs around them, and that pent up anger is going to end the relationship. This idea of a story against the song makes viewers want to keep watching. And because the clips, and the song building up are both quite intense we know that it will lead to something dramatic.

I enjoyed watching the video because of its intensity, how it uses lots of different clips and situations to keep the viewer interested. I also enjoyed the pace of the video, the huge variety of angles and shots used and the use of colour and projection. I have learnt that to make a music video interesting to the viewer its important to have a staory and to use a variety of shots and angles to keep the audience entertained.





The next music video I analysed was "Always Like This" by Bombay Bicycle Club.
                                                                                  

This song contrasts the dance track I analysed first, I enjoyed the simplicity of it, the colours and video and playback techniques used. As the video starts I didnt quite know what to expect, as the begginning of the actual song is rather ominous and the pictures dont give us any indication at all.

I really admire the techniques used, like the playback and video camera effects which I thought were really effective. The song itself is lively, disjointed and upbeat; this is complimented by the locations used in the video. The simple locations, block colours, playgrounds, outside areas, streets, they all complimented the beat of the song. Also the use of block colours, simple clothes, swings and playgrounds gives the whole video a childish feel, which goes hand in hand with the simple melody of the song.

I have taken lots of inspiration from this video, I like the use of colour, outdoor spaces and playback. Of course I cannot copy the video, but I'd like to think I can pick and choose bits and make them my own in order to create my music video.





"Lego House" by Ed Sheeran was the third music video I decided to analyse.

The video is one of my all time favourites for many reasons. The first and foremost being that it has a story thats entertaining and easy to follow. The story also has a twist, where the audience thinks Rupert Grint is pretending or acting as Ed Sheeran, but really he's in love with him. This twist in the plot made me want to go back and watch it again and again. I like the idea of following a story and listening to the music, this really appeals to me. I also like the way that the song compliments the video at first, but goes on to shock audiences and completely contradict the story. This technique is something I will think very hard about concerning my video.

 

 

 

The final video I analysed was the song "Little Lion Man" by Mumford & Son's.

 



In this video I liked the use of clothing, style and extra emphasis on the singers, musicians and instruments. The band have always been known as a sort of country band, this brings with it a very distinct image. The clothes that they wear reflet the song perfectly, I think this is very important for a music video, for the singers or characters to have a distinct image. They also throw lots of light on the instruments, most of which you wouldnt see in a pop or rock band. There is also lots of emphasis on the singers and how they look when they are singing it, this gives the audience a chance to really see the passion in what they are playing. Another thing, the fact that theatre they were performing in was empty except for them, so it gives the audience an impression that they are singing to us, this persoalises the video more, and makes us feel involved rather than seeing them playing a gig and not feeling part of it. From this video I have learnt that distinct image is very important, and to make the audience feel like they could be there watching them is also very effective.