Research : Music Video Analysis 1 (Arctic Monkeys - Snap Out Of It)

This video is a combination of performance, concept and narrative, but mainly concept. The video starts of with a mid shot pan from the water and follows the women as she rises out the water. This shot is in slow motion as this represents the speed in which she comes out the water. We can see by this that she is the protagonist of the music video as she filmed throughout. She wears black nail varnish and swimsuit, this represents sophistication and elegance which she has. Furthermore, this colour can represent fear and mystery which could be a sign of foreshadowing. This does not meet with Strauss binary opposition theory, as usually black means evil but in this case it has a different connotation.

A medium close up of the protagonists upper body is used to show her flipping her hair. The flipping of the hair usually means that a women is attracted to someone, maybe she is thinking about her ex boyfriend. A long shot of the women is used to show of her outfit, which is a low cut swimsuit, this is voyeuristic and is used to attract the attention of a male. In addition, Mulvey's theory of the male gaze is used to entice a male audience. These two screen shots are concept based as they represent the woman's attitude and demeanor. Furthermore there is some narrative as this is telling a story.

This close up shot is concept based as this shows how the women behaves, for example the cigarette. The cigarette implies that she has bad habits and maybe that she uses this as relief to comfort herself as she may be distressed. The gold and pearls represent wealth therefore suggesting she is wealthy and may be from an upper class.

This is an over the shoulder medium shot, this is provocative as we can see that she is naked. This again links to Mulvey's theory of the male gaze, as this is very revealing.  In addition, Goodwin's convention of particular voyeuristic treatment of the female body is used visually as a way of enticing the male audience. This is concept based due to the fact that she is revealing a vulnerable and bare side to her.

This is slightly performance based as we can see that the band play some of their instruments. This is also narrative and concept because this is showing their life. Alex Turner the lead singer is shown here from her perspective, this may suggest that she has or had feeling for him. This is shown on a TV and looks like a tape recording, therefore showing that the band record there antics.

This is narrative based as this shows her watching a video of someone she may have known romantically. Pull focus was used to alter the viewers focus and from one subject to another, in this case being the back of the woman's head to the video of Alex Turner. The camera is over the shoulder which gives us an insight into her perspective and shows us what she is looking at.

Alex Turner makes eye contact with the camera, she may have filmed the tape or made it for her, hence why he looks at the camera in this way. Over the shoulder shot is used to give us her perspective. Furthermore, the camera acts as though we are looking in on her and what is happening.

This video tape recording is an edit on the video and creates a unique effect on the music video. This makes the music video look quite old school due to the fact video tapes aren't very modern. 

An establishing shot of a frying pan is then used, this is to show that the woman is trying to take her mind off of her ex Alex Turner. She then places raw beef in the pan, this can often be a way of distraction.

A wide shot is used to show the television, this is to show that she can't get over the break up and keeps thinking about it. The song cuts when the television turns off, this may signify her thoughts as she could have stopped thinking about it. However, the song begins to play again and the women turns around, as this happens the steady cam zooms in fast to show her reaction. The song may have begun to play again as she started thinking about the past relationship.

These screen captures show two different lighting's, this is due to the projection of the tape because it flickers. This flickering could also represent her thoughts as they are running through her mind.

Parts of the video tape are played through out the music video as this may reflect what is happening in her head and the memories she has of Alex Turner. This is concept based as this shows Turner's real personality.

This is concept as this shows how the women behaves. A montage of the women is applied to the beat along with the tape of the band, this links to Goodwin's conventions of a relationship between music and visuals due to the as this shows a different scene. These cutaways show each expression she made on each beat. We can see that each emotion is slightly different. The emotions shown are hurt, laughter and upset, these are 3 key emotionally stages of a break up, therefore suggesting this is happening to her. As the montage happens the camera shows how emotionally unstable she is.

At 2:31 in the music video the song halts and the video tape begins to show the parts of performance by the Arctic Monkeys. This is a typical characteristic for the genre of music, which is rock. The recording then stops at 2:53. 

A wide shot of the protagonist is then used to show her dancing, this could suggest that she is finally over Turner and that she is relieved and happy. In the background there is alcohol, this could imply she used this as an escape and distraction from her thoughts.

A medium shot shows the lady in the pool like the start of the music video. After all of her emotions this shows her unwinding and taking her mind away as she relaxes in the pool. Wealth is represented here as this is a private pool which are very expensive, showing she is of higher class. 

How has this research influenced my creativity and planning?

I like the way the camera is in slow motion at the beginning to show the action taking place. I extremely like the montages as this explains and shows a lot in a small amount of time. Another part I like is the pull focus as this changes the main focus point in the video.

Things I might find difficult - In the editing process the creating of the montage on the beat as this has to be precise. 

Key Findings:

• Slow motion
• Medium close up 
• Panning
• Long shot
• Close up
• Head on
• Extreme close up
• Over the shoulder
• Shot reverse shot
• Pull focus
• Looking into camera
• Montage
• Establishing shot
• Zoom in
• Zoom out
• Steady cam
• Performance
• Concept 
• Narrative
• Mulvey's theory
• Reaction shot
• Centre frame
• Right of frame
• Medium long shot