6. Similar Vids

Fiona Apple's "Shadowboxer"- Textual Analysis

The video for Fiona Apple's Shadowboxer is incredibly straightforward and easy to follow, just featuring the artist performance her song in a recording studio.

Throughout this entire video, the audience is subjected to parallel sound, as Fiona is seen performing her song in a recording studio. Although, this might seem quite a basic idea for a music video, it adds a relative amount of depth as the fact that she is singing it firsthand suggests the closeness between the lyrics and herself, implying that the lyrics are applicable to herself and her current situation. Another subtle yet crucial point in the aspect of sound throughout this video, is that although a various number of instruments are being played, only Fiona and her piano are featured, further extending this idea of closeness and therefore allowing the audience to fully engage in her predicament. The lyrics are incredibly important to the plot, as the words "once my lover, and now my friend" illustrate her confusion which is further highlighted with the cinematography and editing used throughout the rest of the music video.

Much like the sound, the editing in this video is crucial and very relatable to the actual words that Fiona is singing. Fast cuts are used extensively, reflecting the anxiety she is emitting with her lyrics and performance, whilst a flashing light between cuts create a strobe effect is illustrating confusion and perhaps disorientation in relation to her situation. A series of fast cuts used between several different close-up shots of her face are crucial to the interpretation of this video and the emotions she is experiencing, as this quick change depicts and hints to many different facets of her, implying indecision and confusion. A simple, yet powerful technique of Black & White wash has been used, reflecting the simplicity of the video, yet symbolising the rawness and vulnerability of the singer as she performs alone in a recording studio. 

This confusion featured in the editing is further enhanced with the use of cinematography as a series of out of focus shots cause the audience to really attempt to concentrate on the subject, perhaps an attempt to allow them to view the world from Fiona's current perspective. A series of close-up shots of Fiona's actual face and expressions are equally powerful as they allow the viewer a better perspective of her, creating a more personal feel throughout the video as her emotions are seen from close up and therefore more easily interpreted. Hand-held shots used in strange angles are perhaps symbolic of the anxiety Fiona feels throughout the video, reflecting the lyrics "I been swingin' around, cos I don't know when you gonna make your move", as the strange movements cause disorientation for the audience, giving them insight on her predicament. A series of different shots focusing on, not Fiona, but the rest of the studio, allow the audience to fully take in the scene whilst setting a certain tone of loneliness and isolation as the singer battles with herself through her indecision.

Mise en Scene in this video is incredibly simple, as previously mentioned, featuring a girl in a recording studio performing her song on a piano. Although it is subtle, it's simplicity is very powerful, as it reflects the lyrics to the song, allowing the audience to view Fiona's predicament from her perspective. Her isolation creates a very personal insight on her situation, and the fact that she actually engages with the camera generates a convincing performance, hinting towards the closeness between her and her song, as the passion emitted through her eyes and action depict a very strong engagement with her lyrics and the viewers. The fact that she is not captured dancing and half-naked, like many girls in videos today, is very powerful as it depicts a real woman and not an idolised sex symbol. It also reflects the honesty of the lyrics, almost as if she is merely telling the viewer her story.

On the whole, I find this video incredibly powerful, it's simplicity triggering all the more a greater reaction from the audience. The combination of editing, sound, cinematography and mise en scene is very clever, creating an honest and very convincing video. I feel it as very inspirational to me, as it is something that can possibly be done for my own music video.

The Kooks' "She Moves In Her Own Way"- Textual Analysis

The Kooks' music video to She Moves In Her Own Way features the band on the road and their general day to day lives, to the soundtrack of the song.

There is an interesting take on sound in this video, as although it can not be classified as parallel since it does not feature the band actually performing it, it does show a band member lip syncing the words in every shot. This suggests that although they may often be busy doing other things, their lives always relate back to their music, as it follows them around, thus suggesting a sort of 'rockstar' essence. The lyrics are related to the video, but in a very subtle way, as they are speaking of a girl yet the shots only feature the band. However, the words "I love her because she moves in her own way" hint towards a certain individuality which reflect the video as the band go with the flow regardless of what is happening around them. This carefree and slightly rebellious essence links strongly back to the indie genre.

The editing in this video, although basic using mostly straight cuts, is very apparent. The fast cuts whilst they are travelling relates to the fact that they are always on the move, allowing them to appear as real 'rockstar' touring around the world. There is a very clear cut between the locals and the kooks, which is perhaps hinting towards the fact that they are quiet important, despite their grimy appearance and unbothered expressions, hinting towards a suggested 'celebrity' attitude. The lack of special effects in the editing it crucial to the video, as it depicts them as more real and down to earth, thus relating back to the 'indie' genre as their performance is not embellished, but merely just a video journal of their daily lives. The clear cut between night and day is very powerful, as it links back to their 'rockstar' attitudes as the streets are shown as buzzing with nightlife, implying their carefree nature and depicting a love to party.

The cinematography used in this video links back to the idea of a video journal recording a day in the lives of the kooks. Establishing shots further extending this sense of travel and touring around the world, whilst close ups allow a more personal sense of the band members as they go about their daily routines. It also allows the viewers to see their lip syncing, once again hinting towards the fact that although they may be busy their lives revolve around music regardlessly. Subjective shots used through the bus window, although not particularly noticeable, are quite important, as it allows the audience to see the view of the band members from their perspective, personalising and adding more depth to the video and it's meaning, as the viewers familiarise themselves with the members.

Mise en scene throughout this video is quite obvious, as the costumes reflect a very grimy and indie style. This relates back to the idea of the kooks' possessing a carefree attitude reflective of the one's displayed by early bands such as oasis and the rolling stones. Although they are initially shot in relatively glamorous and public settings such as pools and hotels, the band are shown messing around and basically misbehaving, illustrating this 'rockstar' essence previously mentioned. The fact, that although they are blatantly moving around a lot but still remain in the same cardigans and jeans imply that although they are famous, they are not particularly bothered about image, thus reflecting this indie genre and the basic meaning of 'going with the flow' that is emitted throughout this song. However, their use of sunglasses throughout this video is slightly symbolic of their fame as it gives them a sort of elusive quality, informing the audience that despite their carefree attitudes, they are still celebrities.

This video, although very simple, is cleverly crafted as the cinematography, editing, sound and mise en scene work together to depict not only a day in the lives of the kooks, but their general attitude towards life, without any kind of embellishment. I find this very inspirational, and will strive to convey this essence through my music video.