Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit Brief Analysis

This video showcases the bands raw talent. The location is small with a low-key lighting and smoke effects to represent the atmosphere and mood of the song, which is angry and frustrating. The setting appears to be a school gym due to the quick shots of a basketball hoop and the crowd on the bleachers. The band is supported by a large group of teens, which link back to the song title about teen spirit. Also linking to spirit, the band has cheerleaders present in the video, which is a stereotypical American activity found in a high school gym.

Progressing through the video, the spectator’s spirits seem to have lifted as they begin merely sitting nodding their heads and end up jumping on their feet. The bridge acts as a build up to the climax of the chorus that sees all of the teens ‘moshing’ and reflecting the revolutionary attitude of the band. The ‘moshing’ is also in a slow motion to show the raw emotion created by the music.

All of the aggressive ‘moshing’ and jumping, along with the smoke effects and dim lighting, create an angry teenage tone to the video and compliments the bands music well.


Link to video

Production Schedule

SUNDAY 9^TH OCTOBER

- Bobbits lane forest and fields

-Camera, tripod, additional memory card, digital camera, umbrella.

-All cast

WEDNESDAY 12^TH OCTOBER

                        -House 1
                        -Camera, tripod, additional memory card, glass, digital camera, umbrella.

-All cast

FRIDAY 14^TH OCTOBER

                        -House 2

            -Camera, tripod, additional memory card, radio, post it notes, calendar, items of boys clothing, cardboard box, digital camera.

-All cast

SATURDAY 15^TH OCTOBER

-House 3

-Camera, tripod, additional memory card, radio, items of girls clothing, CD’s, digital camera.

-All cast

WEDNESDAY 21^ST OCTOBER

-Bobbits lane forest and fields

            -Camera, tripod, additional memory card, digital camera, umbrella.

-All cast

Props & Costume List

Sequence 1

Props                 

-None

Costumes

-Male; jeans, tshirt, hoody, trainers

-Female; jeans, tshirt, cardigan,  shoes

Sequence 2

Props

-Glass

-Water

Costumes

-None

Sequence 3

Props

-Bed

-Pillow

-Duvet

Costumes

-Pyjamas                 

Sequence 4

Props

-Phone,

-Blinds                 

Costumes

-Pyjamas

Sequence 5

Props

-Bathroom door

Costumes                 

-Pyjamas

-Male; Jeans, tshirt

-Female; Leggings, jumper

Sequence 6

Props

-Ipod

Costumes

-Male; Jeans, trainers, tshirt, coat                 

Sequence 7

Props

-Mirror

-Radio

-‘Memories’- post it notes, calandar, clothing, CD’s

-Cardboard box/bin bag

-Coat

Costumes

-Male; jeans, jumper

-Female; jeans, jumper

Sequence 8

Props and costume same as shot 6

Sequence 9

Props

-None

Costumes

-Same as shot 7

Risk Assessment

Hazard: If it rains (water)

What could cause harm?

Water getting into the equipment and electrocutions if being held by a team member.

What is the likelihood of this happening?

Very likely if it rains.

Who or what would be harmed?

The equipment will be harmed and possibly a team member also.

How much harm?

A lot if it rains substantially and a team member happens to be holding the camera.

Applying the following priorities, how will this risk be managed?

(1)   Eliminate. (2) Reduce or substitute. (3) Isolate. (4) Control. (5) Personal protective equipment

Hazard: Obstacles getting in our way.

What could cause harm?

Tripping over an object such as a tree branch etc.                                    

What is the likelihood of this happening?

Very likely in a forest where branches could have fallen.

Who or what would be harmed?

Equipment and/or team members.

How much harm?

A lot if someone trips on a branch and drops a camera.

Applying the following priorities, how will this risk be managed?

(1)   Eliminate. (2) Reduce or substitute. (3) Isolate. (4) Control. (5) Personal protective equipment

Hazard: Glass.

What could cause harm?

Cutting yourself on broken glass.

What is the likelihood of this happening?

Likely if proper precautions are not used.

Who or what would be harmed?

Team members.

How much harm?

A lot if someone gets glass stuck in their skin.

Applying the following priorities, how will this risk be managed?

(1)   Eliminate. (2) Reduce or substitute. (3) Isolate. (4) Control. (5) Personal protective equipment

Song Structure Annotation

0 -0.20 seconds: Instrumental opening

0.21 – 0.39 seconds: Verse One

0.40 – 0.60 seconds: Chorus

1.01 – 1.05 minutes: Instrumental

1.06 – 1.25 minutes: Verse Two

1.26 – 1.45 minutes: Chorus

1.46 – 2.06 minutes: Verse Three

2.07 – 2.16 minutes: Instrumental

2.17 – 2.37 minutes: Verse Four

2.38 - 3.00 minutes: Instrumental to end

Instrumental opening

Colour, split screen – clouds passing from eye line of couple lying down in field, they roll over to see each other lying. Zooms into eyes to show clock rewinding (both film the shot and merge together using layers). Boy will be on right side of screen as if it is from the point of view of the girl. And visa versa.

Black and white, super slow motion– glass falls onto floor spilling water. Shot from table and floor. Cuts to floor shot on impact.

Verse One

Colour, split screen – lying in separate beds; boy now on left and girl on right. Roll in to face each other, get out of bed to the outside of the screen and stand up. Roll up blinds and walk to bathroom. Shot seeing them walk into bathroom and coming out ready.

 Chorus & Instrumental

Colour, full screen – Boy walking on his own through empty forest lip syncing. Fade to black to show the end of that day.

Verse Two

Colour, split screen – both walk into room, look at themselves in the mirror and turn on radio. Girl throws memories into a box while boy collects her things together. She then puts her coat and shoes on after giving up and walks out of the door while he is still looking through her things. First time they are doing something different.

Chorus

Colour, full screen – same as before with the boy lip syncing walking through the forest.

Verse Three

Colour, spilt screen – boy carries on walking through same forest as chorus and girl is seen walking through forest also. Seen walking towards each other but actually just go through the centre of the screen and swap places.

Instrumental

Colour, split screen – boy can see girl walking from point of view shot but girl is oblivious; she has a point of view shot of just walking along.

Verse Four

Colour, split screen – talk together for a bit using different shots and end up hugging and making up. Using point of view shots of the hug, covers up lenses to fade to black and show them together for the instrumental at the end in a full screen.

Instrumental at the end

Colour, full screen – fades from black to them hugging and walking off, ending laying in the field, fading into the clouds.

Treatment Questionnaire Feedback

After presenting our treatment to a group of people within our target audience, we handed out a short questionnaire.

We compiled all of the results and came to the following conclusions.

·      All of our sample thought that the narrative appealed to them

·      The location choices were agreed by all that they set the appropriate mood and complimented the narrative

·      The majority of the group thought that the loose relationship between the lyrics and narrative suited the video concept

·      All of the sample agreed that the split screen was a good technique to use to enhance our video and divert it from being generic

·      The added effect of black and white and the symbolic action of the glass smashing was clear to the sample and easily understood

·      The majority of the sample believed that the lip syncing will help them to identify with the character

However following these conclusions it is clear to us what we need to improve and enhance during the filming process and editing stage. The lip-syncing needs to be accurate and the character needs to show emotion whilst performing the lyrics to allow identification and empathy between the character and audience.

We also need to include a variety of camera shots during the lip sync sequence so that it maintains the pace of the music video.

Treatment Questionnaire

Age: 17/18                  Number of people surveyed: 12

Please can you write the number of people on your table above and write the number of people who answered each question yes or no next to the appropriate response.

1.    Is the conventional narrative something that appeals to you?                       
Yes:    12
No:

2.    Do you think the location choices set the mood and compliment the narrative?           
Yes: 12
No:

3.    Do you think the decision to create a loose relationship between the lyrics and action suits the music video?      
Yes: 10
No: 2

4.    Does the idea of the split screen complement and enhance the narrative?      
Yes: 12
No:

5.    Do you think the use of black and white and a glass smashing to symbolise an argument is clear and concise?  
Yes: 12
No:

6.    Do you think lip syncing the lyrics will help you identify with the character?  
Yes: 9
No: 3

7.    Are there any improvements you can suggest or any questions regarding anything said in the treatment? Variety of camera shots

Treatment

The chosen concept for 12 Story Fall ‘Getting Rid of Me’ is a narrative music video to enhance and compliment the chilled acoustic genre. This creates the emotional image of the artist which allows you to identify with his heartbreak.

We have chosen the conforming storyline of a teen relationship breakdown in order for the audience to connect with the characters. This also allows them to generate an understanding whilst enhancing the not so prominent lyrics.
The video begins with the couple on the verge of break up and progresses to a glass smashing to symbolise the ‘final straw’ for their relationship. After this, our video uses the original idea of a Spilt Screen. This allows the audience to create a bond through understanding of each characters individual way of dealing with the heartbreak while they continue with daily life. To provide a break from the narrative, the choruses see the male lip-syncing with small reminders of what used to be. Eventually after a build up of memories, the couple come together to mend what was broken.

The appropriate target audience for this video would be 15-24 as this is when most relationships build and deteriorate due to changes in people’s lives such as career paths and change of location. We thought it would be best if the characters in the video were both of the target audience age so the viewers can identify with them and their situation better.

We conducted our own primary research to our target audience and found the following findings; most of the people we asked prefer a narrative music video. This could be because the storyline helps to generate understanding of the song and emotion portrayed. 16/20 of our participants didn't think it was necessary for the artist to be featured or play a lead role in the music video. We also found out that black and white and split screen effects along with slow motion proved to be popular effects and so we felt we should include them in the video. We also found out that our target audience would prefer characters of a similar age so that they can relate to them. We considered having a break in the music to allow for a short amount of diegetic dialogue however from our results we can now recognise that our target audience feel that this is an interruption.

Although this is a generic music video concept, we believe this video is unique to anything else in comparison due to the technicality involved in the production. The innovative Spilt Screen and black and white effects help to make the video different from others of this genre, helping it stand out from the norm.

This video will help promote the artist as the emotion of the music is projected through the visuals. By generating a storyline, it helps the audience to understand the artist’s personal experience. This allows the audience to identify with the artist. Building a personal fan base through emotive experiences will aid the sales of the music.

Music Video Primary Research

We produced a survey with the following questions. For complete accuracy and to save time, we asked a total of 20 people and noted down the following results...

Age: 15/16 III
17/18 IIIII IIIIII
19/20 IIII

21-24 II

What style music video do you prefer?

Performance IIIII II

Narrative IIIII IIII

Abstract/Surreal IIII

Do you prefer the artist to be featured?

Yes IIII

No IIIII II

Don't mind IIIII IIII

What effects do you think are suitable for a music video?

Black/white IIIII III

Transitions IIIII IIII

Vertical split screen IIIII

Horizontal split screen III

Other.......Slow motion

What age range is suitable for a narrative?

Under 14

15-19 IIIII IIIII I

20-25 IIIII IIII

26+

Do you feel that breaks in the music to allow for conversation are..

An interruption IIIII IIIII IIIII I

Effective II

Unsure II

Do you think that music videos act as a promotional tool?

Yes IIIII IIIII IIIII

No IIIII

Photo's Of Location Four

Much like location three, this is very stereotypically a male room. The unmade bed and male accessories make the location easily identifiable and so therefore is ideal for 'his' setting.

Photo's Of Location Three

Location three is very obvious that it is a girls bedroom. The colour pink is very stereotypically a female colour. The room is very feminine and is therefore an idealistic location to show the females perspective.

Photo's Of Location Two

The enclosing atmosphere of the forest provokes the idea that the issues surrounding the couple are closing in. The sense of freedom that is created by the field is now overshadowed by the intense emotion the forest would create. The lack of open space creates a confined space that would be the perfect setting to surround the couples confrontation.

Photo's Of Location One

We chose this location as the texture creates a naturalistic setting. The scenery provides a perfect setting for either black and white or whether it remains in colour. This gives us more options to consider in the post production stage. The location of the field and forest is well known to be a reflective, peaceful place for many people. This makes it an idealistic background in relation to our narrative.

Initial Ideas

-Narrative

-2 characters; male and female

-Locations; forest, field, 3 different houses

-Timespan; 3 days

-Costume; 3x casual clothing

-Effects; black and white, split screen
-Camera shots; long, close up's, point of view, shot reverse shot, establishing

Moodboard

This Moodboard demonstrates some of our initial ideas in an imagery format. it was important for us to combine all our ideas together in this form to ensure they compliment, represent and enhance the song.

Link to song

Jamie T – Sheila Brief Analysis

Jamie T – Sheila is one of those rare music videos that do not include the artist. One key character is seen throughout as he lip syncs the lyrics and walks along a river side with a bunch of flowers. The lyrics speak of a girl called Sheila; and it only becomes clear who she is and what relation this man has with her near the end of the video when you realise the man is taking the bunch of flowers to a shrine where his daughter Sheila died.

Only a close-up and mid-shot are used in this video in terms of camera angles but both are used effectively when needed. The close-up makes the mans emotions known to the audience as his facial expressions change from anger to sadness whilst the mid-shot allows him to be shown progressing down the river walkway to his mystery destination.  The editing suits the relitively slow pace of the song and the chracters costume is appropriate for a man of that age. Although the city background is dim-lighted, key lighting is used on the man to make sure the audience know he is of most importance.  The key prop is a bunch of flowers and is the first thing shown in a close-up shot when the video starts. This shows it has some significance in the video and is made clearer their purpose at the end when he lays them down with a messege that reads “To My Darling Sheila Love Always Dad x”.

The video in general, is effective and suits the song well. The lyrics match the narrative but not in an obvious way, it makes the audience think. From the beginning I was interested where the man was walking and why he had a bunch of flowers in his hand and this was only revealed at the end of the video, which made me watch the whole thing and focus my attention on it.


Jordan Griffin

Link to Music Video

Prodigy – Smack My Bitch Up Brief Analysis

The fact that the whole video is filmed in the view of the protagonist makes this it so effective. The outrageous actions the character goes through such as, snorting cocaine, injecting heroin, violence, drinking alcohol, stealing a car and drink driving, make the viewer intrigued into what the person looks like and, 99 people out of 100 would guess that it is a man. To the shock of most people, including me, at the end it is revealed it is a woman.

The fast cutting works well with the pace of the music and some daring effects are used to make the audience feel what the woman is feeling. Her drug taking and alcohol drinking would disorientate her vision and the director, Jonas Åkerlund, chooses to use a blur effect in a few of the shots to portray this. Being filmed at night there was constant dark lighting involved. Although when she was in certain clubs the bright lights made the audiences view less clear again, working on the audience-character relationship.

The video runs around the theme of a reckless night out involving everything bad that you could possibly do and works well with the only lyrics in the song, “change my pitch up, smack my bitch up”, a controversial and expletive sentence. Although similar to other videos of this genre of music, I think the visuals in this particular video amplify the music more than others I have seen because of the disorientating camera movements that occur throughout.

Jordan Griffin

Jordan Griffin

 Link To Music VideoI enjoyed watching this video as it showed everything a normal person would not dare to do on a night out from a first person view point. From the first frame it had me interested into what this person looked like and shocked me at the end when I saw it was a woman. The unconventional effects and lighting worked well with the genre of music and even when slowed down was still effective. The pace of the cutting also kept up with the song.

Fall Out Boy – Dance Dance Brief Analysis

This is a narrative video that incorporates the band performance into the storyline. A typical American high school story in which the ‘geek’ takes the ‘popular’ girl to the come coming dance is seen. There are a number of breaks in the music to allow for conversation or to focus on moments in the video that are of significance, for example when the ‘geek’ asks one of the ‘popular’ girls to dance with him, showing the social clichés the director is trying to put across to the audience. During the video the different cliques and social statuses of the students are made clear, highlighting the ‘jocks’ to show how the ‘underdog’ had overtaken their popularity. The ‘underdog’ is shown as a weaker, more socially inept character, who’s lack of confidence gets them mocked and teased.

The moments that show the band performing see the crowd imitate scenes of a rock concert with examples of ‘moshing’ and first pumping which may show what the bands target audience would do, if they were to be in the crowd of one of their concerts. The video is typically aimed at the bands audience, due to their location, of American teens. So the audience can feel they can relate to this situation, as the band themselves are stereotypically the outcasts in high school culture. This video shows the audience that the unpopular kids can come out on top, a good way of attracting any teens that may be unsure of themselves and reassuring them that it is possible to do what the band do in the video.

Link to video

Jamiroquai- Deeper Underground Brief Analysis

This video was very well known in 1998 due to the very large budget that was assigned to produce it. This is because it was released as the official soundtrack to the American film “Godzilla” with the video acting as a promotional tool. Director Mike Lipscombe used the video to act as a condensed version of the film by mirroring certain main events. Although people may know the storyline, you are still intrigued as an audience as to what is going to happen in this miniscule scale of the actual film.

The narrative elements included in this music video is very representative of the actual film. However it is mainly focused on what would be the climax during the film. This makes the video exciting to watch therefore entertaining the reader whilst also keeping them intrigued.

It was shot on location at Grays State Theatre. The video begins by showing an audience in a cinema screening of “Godzilla”. the non-diegetic music is eerie, setting a tense atmosphere. The actual song begins at 54 seconds when the film comes alive. The screening shows ‘Godzilla’ walking in the ocean and then it is brought to life with his foot bursting through the screen. This causes all of the water to come flooding into the cinema screen and the audience trying to evacuate. Also shown are numerous cars crashing onto the cinema seats, as well as a helicopter, highlighting the large budget used.
Various stunts are used involving surrounding the character with fire, making the video exhilarating to watch.

Towards the end of the video a montage of shots are used to show the action during an instrumental. These shots are shown whilst the camera zooms into the projector. This reminds the audience that all this action is taking place in the cinema adding to the surrealism.

When you hear the vocals of the track, lead singer Jay Kay is shown dancing on the top of the cinema seats, walking into the action. He is featured from then on and recognised as the lead character. This builds the connection between the non-diegetic music and the video. This makes the video very surreal and intriguing.

I really like the way this video is a condensed film for a purpose, not just for the sake of it. The ties in with “Godzilla” which is such an iconic world recognised film, adds pressure to the director to ensure this echoes the success and provides adequate promotional material. The narrative in combination with all the special effects just makes the video a stand out during the 90’s.

This challenges conventions of a typically jazz funk band as a concept this huge would never normally be experimented with. However due to the success of the single as the official soundtrack, the video was crucial to support the on-going success.


Kristie Henry

Link to video