Every Avenue-Tell Me I’m A Wreck
This video documents people’s mishaps and confessions relating to love and relationships. The song tells of the artist’s relationship breakdown and the video acts as a diary which sees him reveal his true heartfelt to the situation through clips of himself and text overlaid in the centre. He is joined by shots of many other people and just one or two lines on screen that informs you of their problems in past relationships. There are also shots of the band performing as this is a generic feature of music videos in the alternative/rock genre. 
The main theme of this video is not to dwell on what could have been or what you’ve done wrong, just to remember that everyone has experienced heartbreak and you are not alone, it is not a crime to be on your own. It also shows how things can work out and that you won’t always get hurt with a short clip of an elderly couple telling of their happy journey as a couple. The last frame represents the main theme as it is a shot of what looks like a timeline with additional text ‘We are all a wreck’.
The techniques used are very minimalistic in order to focus on the concept of the video. The mise en scene is specific to each individual and helps to enhance their character. The costumes are all each personals unique style of casual clothing aided by their make up or lack of it. There are shots to enforce this such as a shot of a make up pallet in which you can see the girls reflection in the mirror and also an extreme close up of converse shoes before cutting to the girl wearing them for her confession.
The locations change very frequently to suit each person or couple in their situation. There are some shots of people in their homes where others are so close up their setting is irrelevant. This is further indication that this video is raw and is purely created to portray meaning and emotion. Even the space in which the band is performing is very minimalistic and stripped back which makes it appear to be an abandoned open space much like a warehouse.
Like most features of the mise en scene, the character movement is very limited. They are mostly just sitting down or standing still with few shots of couples embracing. However the shots of the band performing show the pure emotion through their energy.
Various props are used to represent each person in their own situation. However there are also additional shots of objects such as a clock which suggests things take time and writing on a notepad saying ‘s+l=<3’ which is a typical thing we associate with love. There are also some random images such as a deers head and a spice rack which could build references with a home and families. 
The lighting is very high key in order to clearly see the emotion in each persons eyes in exception of one shot of the lead singer. However this shot is taken using a fish eye lens so his emotion is clearly visible as it is enhanced. It is also important to have high key lighting as it portrays the daylight and therefore natural light which connects with this video as they are all confessing and letting things out in the open.
The camera work is very simplistic but very effective. It includes extreme close ups of objects and then a close up of the person. When there is a frame that includes a couple, medium shots are used in order to capture the emotion of the two. The camera is mostly still but shows obvious signs of being handheld as there are slight jolts and movements. The majority of the shots f the characters are eye level in order for identification and understanding to be built between the audience and the individual. The camerawork when the band are performing is much more versatile and includes wide and long shots to show all of the band. Shots are taken from the side and not just head on in order to show all areas.
The editing is very basic and primarily consists of quick cuts between each shot. The main focus being on the additional text which is also very simplistic but thats what makes it effective. For the extreme close ups of peoples facial features the shot is slightly blurred whilst getting into focus proving the text to be of higher importance. The writing is arial font, bold and white, nothing fancy, just purely stripped down to basics to reflect the meaning of the video. It is also always overlaid over the image in the centre of the screen to ensure it is read. Rhythmic editing is used to keep the pace and ensure the writing has enough time to be read whilst fitting with the music.
The relationship between the sound and image is very staggered. The video is very simplistic and that could be due to the combination of the text on screen and the lyrics as they are not the same. You wouldn’t watch the video to listen to the song. They don’t show direct correlation which makes the non diegetic music more of a background noise whilst the people are confessing. However the frequent cuts to the band performing remind you of the song and its importance.
This video doesnt show and references to other texts and i think that is key for the meaning and atmosphere it is trying to portray.
Kristie Henry
No comments:
Post a Comment