Thoughts on 3 Music Videos

1. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley

In my opinion this video is timeless and still looks good today. Other artists such as One Direction even referenced to it in their own video "Kiss You" in terms of set design and costume which shows the popularity and impact the video made.

Camera:

The camera is hardly ever static and is always moving to follow the singer in his movements, this keeps the video interesting and shows the audience the main focus in the video. There is more than one camera in use, shown by the change of perspective throughout which also keeps the audience engaged for example, at 1:46 when Elvis is singing the chorus the camera is at an angle so the audience can see the dancing, whereas during verses the camera is more likely a close up.

Mise-en-Scene:

The people included in the video are all wearing clothing that would resemble prisoners due to the title of the song being "Jailhouse Rock" with striped shirts and their prisoner numbers on their jackets. They are all wearing hats accept Elvis showing he is the most important to watch in the video. The set design includes the illusion of prison cells and props of plates and glasses on a metal table which represents the dining halls in prison.

When the lyrics "trombone" are sung there are props of brass instruments shown.

Editing:

The editing is quite simple as they used quite long takes, the first shot only changing after 42 seconds. This is so that the music video is easily followed by the audience, as too much movement may be confusing. Also, technology was limited at that time.

Sound:

The diegetic sound includes the prisoners hitting the cells and chanting at the beginning of the music video which helps the audience understand their characters in the music video.

2. Rockstar - Nickelback 

I dislike this video as it does not relate to the lyrics in the song. I prefer when music videos have a storyline based around the lyrics of the song.

Camera: 

The camera stays still the majority of the video and remains in one angle in each location which is straight on. I find this quite boring and think that videos made earlier were better filmed even with limited technology.

Mise-en-Scene:

The mise-en-scene changes with each location, so the background may be a city for example London so it is something the audience can recognise. The costumes change for each person, i'm guessing because the video is about all different people wanting the same lifestyle, but it wasn't that effective.

Editing:

The editing consists of short takes in each location as it changes with a new line in the song.

3. Robbers - The 1975

This is one of my favourite music videos as I love the storyline in the video and how it relates to the lyrics. I think it is well filmed and edited.

Camera: 

The camera shots vary lots in this music video and change on the beats in the music making it easy to follow. The camera is always moving which keeps it interesting. The shots are fragmented with each other so that the music brings you back to each different scene and certain points which makes the video unique.

Mise-en-Scene:

The mise-en-scene changes with each different scene. The lighting is kept quite dim and colour design quite dull. The props of alcohol, drugs and a gun are used to emphasise these themes in the lyrics and video. 

Editing:

The music video is edited to the beat of the song with the use of varied short takes which makes it easy to watch. 

Sound:

At 3:12 the music stops so the audience can hear the diegetic sound of gun shots, and then picks up with the lyric "Now everybody's dead" which shows the relationship between the lyrics and video.