Noah and the Whale - Music Video



Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.

Image

Mise en scene

Props – The use of an old fashioned jukebox is actually very current. A recent popular trend is the idea of vintage items therefore by beginning the video with this item is appealing to the target audience. At one point in the video there is fairy lights around the lead singer. This gives the feel of simplicity and is quirkier than using high tech lighting techniques. This quirky feel provided by the props therefore links well with the genre of Indie music.

Costume – The males in the video are wearing black suits. The suits have connotations of power and dominance, which suggest that unlike the woman in the video they are more important – perhaps because they are the band members and not just characters in the video. In comparison to this the woman is wearing a tight fitting red dress. Red can have connotations of seduction and lust and the tight fitting dress anchors the idea that the woman is something to look at.

Lighting – The lighting in the video is very dark and has lots of shadows. This creates a sense that it is evening time even though the setting is mainly inside. The lighting creates a laid back atmosphere as its not too flashy and in your face, which reflects the genre because indie tends to be easy listening. The lighting makes it less glamorous and puts much more focus on the music.

Camera Shot

Mid shot of two men sitting in front of the woman ­– The positioning of this shot is significant because it places the male characters in front of the woman. The woman is dancing in the background which suggests she is something for men to admire and look at whilst the men sit and watch.

Long shot of the band on stage – This allows the audience to gain recognition of the whole band and see them in full. Also we see the setting with tables and a person watching below but the place is not packed full of people. This does not mean that they are not popular but instead could show that they appeal to a select target audience and they don’t want emphasis took off the band by having lots of other people in the shot.

Camera Movement

Zooms in and out – The main use of movement is the camera zooms in and out slowly. For example the camera zooms in on the two men when they are sitting on the sofa. The use of this creates recognition for the audience. Also it adds an air of nonchalance to the band members, they are quite laid back as the camera moves to them and they don’t force themselves into the screen.

Editing

Straight cuts – the video consists mainly of regular straight cuts that move at a fairly slow pace. The effect of this is again this laid back feel which directly links to the indie/country/rock type of genre. An example of one of the straight cuts is that there is a cut from the scene with the men on the sofa with the woman dancing behind to one of the men selecting music on the jukebox. This puts the man in control of the music, which is effective as we make a link between the music and the male musician.

Genre

The elements used in the video communicate the genre well mainly because the elements create this laid back atmosphere which is something associated with indie types of music. Furthermore the elements successfully portray the band and give the audience a clear sense of recognition of the band members by the end of the video.

Target Audience

It is made clear who the target audience is throughout the video. The use of café settings and seeing things like the coffee gives the idea that the older teens are the group target audience. The idea of a café where teenagers go to socialise is something that is often used to represent older generations of youth as seen in films like Grease. This video therefore uses this idea and therefore creates a clear sense of the target audience.

Mode of Address

The lighting, which is quite dark, mainly creates the mood and tone and the lights are gentle and subtler. This creates a more relaxed and laid back atmosphere throughout the video. The band regularly having shots where they simply sit facing the screen speaks to the audience. This directly addresses the audience as it is as if they are looking right at you, furthermore the use of zoom creates a pulling in and out motion which gives the sense of trying to pull the audience into the video.

Narrative

TODROV

Equilibrium – The music begins.

Disruption – The characters come into the screen and we get a shot of the woman with her head down whilst sitting on the sofa.

Realisation – We then get shots of members of the band waiting around, then writing things on paper.

Quest – The band each get some stage time and stand playing their instruments, then perform together.

New equilibrium – the woman pulls her blonde wig off revealing that she in fact has dark hair.

PROPP

Heroes – The band are placed above us in a high angle shot when they perform up on stage – there is one man in particular that is seen the most suggesting that as lead singer his status is the hero.

Princess – The woman who is positioned behind the men, or if alone in the screen looks small and vulnerable portrays her as the princess that needs protection. This is anchored by the fact that the men are in front of her.

Representation

GENDER – the woman is shown as less significant and more something to be admired and looked at which anchors the dominant ideology about women being something of beauty that men look at. Whereas the males also reinforce the stereotype of men being powerful and in control – this is shown by their costume and the shot where the man is in control of the jukebox.

Enigma

The fact that we see the woman dancing then she sits on the sofa with her head down looking small and vulnerable creates an enigma. The audience do not know what is wrong with her and may watch on to see the story of the woman develop as the song/music video goes on. The woman therefore has a function as a character to create interest in the video and add another dimension outside the band to the video.

What image does it present about the artist?

The elements together all indicate that the band is relaxed and more carefree and the video and music is a reflection of that.

How are these ingredients common within the specific genre/subgenre?

 The genre of indie/country/rock is much more laid back and the band creates their video to suit their genre well. For example if it was a raunchy club setting with pole dancers it wouldn’t really suit the band or the genre. Therefore the simple setting of places like the café in the video works well with the genre of indie and our subgenre of country/rock.