- What sort of feeling and impact can music videos have and what effect could a music video-style sequence achieve in a film?
Music videos tell a story. The most common music video style is narrative and the aim of this music video is to tell a story which quite often corresponds with the lyrics/mood of the music. Some music videos do not tell a story but express some kind of message and there is always an intention behind what it trying to be portrayed but the visuals and music. The effect of having a music video-style sequence in a film would be almost like an aside from the plot of the film. It could tell the story of the background of the characters in the film, it could show flashbacks or it could just emphasise a moment in the film (e.g. a honeymoon or a character mourning the death of a loved one. The music corresponds to the mood of the character and highlights the emotion you're meant to feel also.)
- Can you think of other films which feature extended montage sequences that are quite like music videos?
In '500 Days of Summer' after you see the 500th day of Summer it starts back at day number 1. There is then an opening montage sequence involving split screens of the two main characters (Tom and Summer). This opening montage is set to 'Regina Spektor - Us' and helps tell the story of the characters past. It shows them in contrast and their different upbringings. This helps set the mood for the plot of the story and is a nice way to open the film and introduce us to the characters. There is another scene in this film in which Tom is very happy after spending the night with Summer so there is a sequence of him dancing around a park which looks like it could be a music video:
There are also opening scenes to films in which motion graphics are used to music such as in 'Superbad':
The Superbad intro tells us a little bit about the characters and how they're a bit goofy and also the dominance one character had over the other by pushing him about a bit. It's a fun and simple intro which I feel sums up the entire film as it's a simple concept and plot yet it's very funny. The Juno introduction shows her taking a journey which could also be a metaphor for the journey she takes in the film as she matures. It's quite artsy, simple and shows her enjoying the simple things in life which I think sums up the film quite well.
I feel the openings to these films really introduce us to the characters and the plot and feel of the film. They're often only a few minutes but it sums up something that you'd gather from narrative in a more engaging, exciting way. The video from the middle of 500 Days of Summer highlights a key high in one of the characters moods and also contrasts with the extreme lows and the journey he has in these 500 days.
- Take a look at Ayoade's music videos for Kasabian's 'Vlad the Impaler', The Last Shadow Puppets' 'My Mistakes', Vampie Weekend's 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa' and Arctic Monkeys' 'Fluorescent Adolescent'. As you watch consider the look and feel of these texts. To what extent are they cinematic?
Kasabian - Vlad the Impaler: I like how the method of filming isn't traditional and doesn't have the feel of it being professionally made (it's not HD, widescreen and perfect shots). It has a sense of realism and makes you feel like you can relate to the video more. It has a comic effect and the main character adds to this humorous element. The effect of the hand-cam gives it a sense of realism but it also looks as if an amateur film maker could have made it (even though I think it's a very good video). This had a slightly cinematic feel but it feels like it should be a short film if anything and if it had no music it should be a silent film. I don't feel there is need to have narrative, it works well visually.
The Last Shadow Puppets - My Mistakes: The links I can see with the previous wide is that there is a sense of very random things occurring but they all interlink very smoothly. Both videos look as if they could have been filmed on a film camera as they look very vintage yet are still of great quality. This video has a much smoother feel to it as it's not jumpy and is made to look as if it's all filmed in one go through very clever techniques used to merge the scenes. I feel this is kind of cinematic, to me it feels more like a music video that stands alone but I feel it has the potential to branch off to tell a story but it's a bit vague.
Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa: As said before, very vintage feel. For modern videos they seem a lot older yet they still seem modern due to the music and the smoothness of them and the sometimes random aspects. This video has a clearer narrative though. It also has humorous aspects as 'Vlad the Imapler' did. As before, I feel this is slightly cinematic and that it has the potential to branch off into a longer narrative but to an extent it does tell a mini story in the video.
Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent: Slightly vintage feel. Once again the humorous element, it reminds me of the conflicts between Mods and Rockers but with clowns and another group instead... this video is random but it's easier to draw a message from it than some of the other videos. I feel this is sort of cinematic, I feel it stands alone well as a music video and find it hard to envisage a serious plot that could surround it.
- Now watch the trailer for Submarine. Do you see any similarities in terms of visual style? Can you identify any stylistic or thematic motifs across these texts?
The notion of it being very vintage and being produced with film is present in parts of the trailer. It has the essence of a real classic movie with a modern twist, the traditional french music and the lighting, composition and everything combine to make something very interesting. The quotes lead us to make assumption of the kind of character Oliver is and although the locations and dress have an older feel to them they also feel very current with present trends being similar in some respects. There is quite a craze with vintage right now and being able to do it well means that your work will stand out and generate more interest, this is true to a lot of creative practices. There does seem to be some notion of having a past and a relationship that has faults and flaws across the different texts. The four music videos all featured a main character who seems to have had a relationship break down... with Vlad the Impaler he has his entire social relationship break down and in the other videos it's a romantic relationship or a friendship. This trailer shows a relationship that is romantic and also a family relationship and the struggles Oliver faces.
