In Depth Analysis of Videos Produced by Other Students- Catriona Morgan

This is the first video made by students that I will be analysing. I liked the opening of the time lapse showing the shadow of the trees moving, as I think this is an effective editing technique as well as an interesting way to set the scene for the rest of the narrative throughout the video. The use of varying shot lengths is effective as they begin with longer length shots, as the 'scene is being set' and the 'characters are getting introduced', and they then get shorter as the pace of the story picks up. For example when they're running through the streets and beating up the boy. (Action shots.) The lengths of shots are also longer when the 'artist' is singing, which perhaps makes the audience focus more on the lyrics of the song, in an attempt to fully portray what they want the audience to focus on. (Being the meaning of the lyrics, and how this links to the visuals they've created.)

Additionally, a filter has been added which I think is effective as although the video has been recorded when the sun was out, which you would expect to be light, the filter makes it darker, which sets the mood for what the narrative is about. I thought the costume was appropriate as they are presented as teenagers who don't care what they look like and the boxer was dressed appropriately for the scenes in which he was shown to be working out.

There was incredibly controlled use of the camera, especially when they were running through the streets.This helped add to the excellence of the video overall, as well as the use of varying shot types, from long shots, to mid shots, to close ups etc.

They clearly paid close attention to mise-en-scene as there was nothing in shot that shouldn't have been, particularly when the 'victim' was shown in the gym, everything in the frame was appropriate. Although they created a narrative video, which is usually frowned upon for being boring, I believe they created a narrative and portrayed in such a way that perhaps isn't initially clear the first time you watch it. This therefore makes their target audience want to watch again in an attempt to fully understand it, therefore conforming to the Active Audience Theory.Additionally, I liked how they related lyrics to the visuals for example, 'never wanted this' is playing whilst the couple are arguing as well as 'trapped in a maze, repeating the same mistakes' relating to them beating up the 'victim'.
Finally, I liked how the video was edited to cut between the 'artist' singing while he stood, positioned to the left, inside, with artificial light hitting his face from the right, immediately juxtaposed
 with a shot of him sitting (to the right) outside, singing, while the natural light of the fire reflected onto his face from the left.

 Overall, it was very clear that they'd thoroughly thought out their narrative, had planned their locations and edited effectively in order to create a top piece of work.

This is the second video I will be analysing. It begins by fading to black and white, which I think is effective as it immediately conforms to the genre of music and sets the mood of the video.

I found the use of close ups to be very effective as again, it's typical of the genre and highlights the desperation the 'artist' feels.

 I found the editing made it more interesting as they layered clips from different locations as well as editing to the beat of the music and portraying the story they intended.

 I feel like the hair, make-up and costume were appropriate for the genre as it appeared to be expensive and it's obvious they both care about their appearance (contradictory to the previous video i analysed, as the music is clearly of different genres, therefore the costumes need to be as well, which is fully captured in both. Finally, I liked the use of a smoke machine and 'rain' as this made it more interesting to watch. The 'rain' could be a link with the lyrics 'tears are gonna fall,' which means they've successfully followed Goodwin's rules.

Varying shot types were very limited until towards the end of the video when there was a birds-eye shot of her in the bath.

This is the final video I will be analysing. Even though it was a narrative, I found it entertaining to watch and thought it was edited well as it matched the beat. Also, there were varying shot types, from close ups to tracking shots. (Whilst running.)

It is also conforms to Todorov's equilibrium theory as it begins peacefully with the friends walking, and then there's disruption throughout whilst he desperately tries to find her and then equilibrium is restored at the end the end as he finally finds her.

I have found this research beneficial as I have been able to judge for myself what makes a music video effective as well as what is possible to make simply with just a camera. I have also been able to see what I specifically liked about particular things, for example the use of varying shot angles and lengths, and not having shots that are too long, all of which I know I can include when it comes to the editing stage of our video.