Sandi Thom - Music Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc2jDz6w-r4
(the blogger wasn't finding the link)

Sandi Thom – I wish I was a Punk Rocker

Image

Mise En Scene

Colour – At the beginning of the video there is a lot of red dominating the screen. There is a red bus, a red post box, a red telephone box and a red car. Red has many connotations but in regards to the video and the genre the use of red could perhaps connote passion for something, whether it’s music or something else. Especially since the genre indie is considered to be something that’s non-conventional so perhaps it reinforces the standing out from the crowd and having a passion for something because it’s a genuine passion of yours and not just following the crowd.

Facial expression/Gesture/Body Language - Her facial expression is not forced or over the top, it is very laid back and casual. She does not try to overact, which links well with the genre because indie isn't flashy and in your face type of music as a genre. The womans body language anchors this as her moverments involve strolling through the street at a leisurely pace.

Props – A naturist poster is behind the singer as she gets off the bus, this reinforces the more ‘hippie’ and free direction of the indie genre. This poster highlights the carefree, different attitudes towards music and again links with this idea of not conforming to society’s expectations. This is anchored when a naked man runs across the screen at the end of the video.

Camera Shot

Mid shot of the woman with musicians following – The musicians behind her are all playing instruments like guitars and tambourines. This is significant because this is a quirky idea but is very simplistic and laid back at the same time. This adds interest into the video as we watch the woman’s journey yet there is a focus on what is going on in the background.

Long shot of people walking off in the park – This shot is at the end of the video. The significance of seeing the small group of people highlights the nature of indie music and the select target audience that it has. It may also show the natural serene setting and happy people, which suggests the music is light and relaxing.

Editing

The whole video is one straight shot of the woman as she walks down the street, down an alleyway, through a park etc… The only use of editing is the speeding up of certain parts of the video. For example, when the singer walks down the first setting of the video at one point it speeds up as a man in a suit walks past her. This could be significant perhaps to add some dimension to the video because it lacks editing and camera movement. It may also be significant as it could represent the man in the suit as a busy stressed man with his folder full of papers and his briefcase. This may suggest he has a lot of stresses and worries which contrasts with the singers attitude who is much more laid back which may show that indie music is something to be leisurely enjoyed.

Genre

The elements used throughout the video all create this sense of laid-back attitude – like the Noah and the whale video – which represents the genre of indie well. Furthermore the emphasis on nature is also something linked with the genre because it adds to this serene laid back atmosphere that is carried throughout the video again reflecting the genre well.

Target Audience

The target audience seems to be specifically people into more quirky music. This does not specify an age group yet probably more aimed at older teens that are ‘finding themselves’ and sometimes find a way to reflect their character through music and indie is a popular culture with the young. Also the video indicates that the target audience may be concerned with other issues like naturists and nature, and are less concerned about fitting in with everyday society, they are not afraid to be different.

Narrative

TODROV

Equilibrium – People going about daily life, shown by someone posting a letter.

Disruption – Singer gets off the bus and begins the song

Realisation – Quirky things begin behind the singer e.g. a man playing a guitar begins to follow her

Quest – People join in following her all travelling on a journey

New equilibrium – They all reach the park and then each go off on their own lives and leave the camera behind.

PROPP

The singer takes the role of the hero, as she seems to be seeking something as she continues on her journey until she reaches the park destination.

The closest people that get to the role of the villain are people like the businessmen and naturist who obstruct the way of the singer.

The musicians that follow could be seen as helpers as the provide the music for her to sing to as she makes her journey through the music video.

Representation

Gender – the way in which the woman in this video is a countertype to the usual submissive idea that dominates the way people interpret women. Instead she dominates the screen for the whole video, does not seem vulnerable but strong and empowered, which offers a fresh vision and interpretation of a female. This suggests that the artist wants to encourage a different view on women and move away from the old stereotypical dominant ideologies about women e.g. women are something to look at/something of beauty.

Ethnicity – At the beginning of the video we see a black man standing by the bus stop, he is wearing baggy jeans and trainers with a hooded jacket. This reinforces this thuggish view that many people have of black people and this therefore suggests ethnicity was perhaps not a main concern of the artist in this particular song/video.

Enigma

The idea that we do not know where the woman singing is headed creates an enigma – is this journey for a purpose? The audience will therefore watch the video to see how the journey unfolds. Also different things are happening behind the woman as the journey continues which perhaps interests the audience as well because they want to follow the life and action going on behind the singer.

What image does it present about the artist?

The elements used throughout the video suggests that the artist has a quirky attitude towards music, and likes to be different which will appeal to an audience which share similar values.

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

The element of nature is significant because it provides this sense of freedom and natural air to the music, its just raw pure music with little electronic dubstep beats etc… Just simple instruments which produce songs that are popular with people. Also the idea of the musicians following whilst playing instruments like the tambourine provides an unusual quirky feel to the video, which again is common within the genre of indie.