Monday, 1 October 2012

Music Video Analysis: Oasis

Music Video Analysis of Oasis: Wonderwall


Conventions:

Camera Angles:
- Close ups of the lead singer allow for the audience to feel close to the performance, engrossing them into the song and the narrative of the video.
- Shots of the band included a variety where they are all sat on a bench and the camera tracks across them slowly, so you can see each band member in detail.
-  There are lots of close ups of clowns and other circus acts and this somehow plays into the unusual narrative.
- There were long shots of band members playing instruments on their own in a white room, which helps to give the shot a sense of isolation and sadness which seems to be a recurring theme throughout the video.


Editing and Effects:
- This promo video features lots of fades and straight cuts which occur in time with the music to help amplify the beats and notes, for example.
- The video is presented in black and white, except for some key objects which are coloured in blue, green and yellow in post production, which helps to highlight key objects which can be linked to the narrative and the song.
- There are some shots where the lead singer is spinning around as the camera is stationary (it appears) and this is used to mimic the spinning boards that knife thrower targets are strapped to in a circus, which helps to add to the slightly surreal feel of the video.
- In some of the more intense sections of the song, the shots change with what can be described as a camera flash, which helps to add to the idea that the performers are on a stage and everyone is watching, which helps to add to the idea of loneliness.
- Near the end of the video there is what can only be described as a multilayered spinning singing Noel Gallagher. It is a very surreal and bizarre shot which helps to create an unnerving atmosphere, and helps to add to the feelings of isolation and loneliness that is present in the video.

Lighting:
- All the video is very well lit, and is presented in black and white. The well lit environments presented in black and white help to create feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially with the expansive white backgrounds.
- In some shots the background is black, which is used to remind viewers of the backstage of some sort of stage performance, however objects in the foreground are always well lit.

Narrative:
-The narrative present in the video seems to tie into the loneliness of performing life and how it is a life that has the potential to be very lonely. The lyrics suggest that the person in question needs to be saved from his life by his "Wonderwall".
- The video does not really have a story, but it has a narrative in the sense of it shows parts of a lifestyle.

Mise en Scene:
- The video uses a blank, white location for most of the shots, which help to create this isolated feel.
- The props and costumes of lots of the characters are featured in circus performances, such as hanging saws, showgirls and clowns.

Genre:
- Oasis is an indie rock band, and this song is paced slowly.


1 comment:

  1. Excellent Ed! You've deconstructed the 3 promos systematcially and demonstrated skilful exploration of the meanings that have been created through the technical conventions. Plenty of detail too! Ensure that you explore how conventional promos are within their genre and also make references to intertextuality and other key concepts. As you progress comment on how videos have influenced your production. On target for L4 / A if you continue in this manner.

    ReplyDelete