my chosen music video

Shooting Star by Air Traffic (first minute and a half only)

Pretty if the sun won't shine
I'll be coming out to meet you
I'll be there to make you mine

You're pretty if the rain will pour
I'll be knocking at your window
I'll be begging you for more

It's as if you've come along too soon
And I'm trying to fit you in
But I can't seem to follow

You're a cutie if it all falls through
We can piece it back together
I can learn to trust you too

You're just too good to lose
And I can't refuse
So don't make me choose
Between the two
I'm fed up in here
In my atmosphere
Don't you know who you are?
You're my shooting star



Shooting Star, Air Traffic

This is an analysis of Air Traffic’s original, existing music video for their song “shooting star” which I am doing my own music video for.
The video begins with a long, profile shot of a girl in a messy bedroom holding an object. The shot is in slow motion (using over cranking) and sets the scene of where the narrative element of the video will take place.
The video is comprised up of shots of the narrative/story going on in the bedroom between the girl and a boy, presumably her boyfriend, and shots of the band playing their instruments. The setting of the shots of the band is in a very large, dark room with some lighting resembling street lights. This reflects the simplicity of the video.
The narrative is all in slow motion with objects being taken up in the air and then made to fall back down to the floor and crash. The styles of shots vary in terms of the slow motion shots. They are mostly long or mid shots of the girls, with some close ups of her flicking through what are presumably love letters from a boyfriend she has kept. This may create some empathy toward the character from the audience as at this moment in time it may look as though they have split up and is either reminiscing or getting rid of the bad memories as it appears she throws them to the floor without care. In one long shot, the lamp lifts up off the table and then the editing switches to a close up of the lamp falling. Furthermore, in synchronisation with the smash of the drums, the lamp also smashes which is has an interesting effect. These types of shots are repeated with long shots of the boy and the girl standing opposite each other and objects rising to the ceiling and a glass of water is also concentrated upon via close up when it smashes in time with the music.
There are some mid shots and close ups when the couple begin to take their clothes off. It also includes an over the shoulder shot and high angle shot of the couple.
In terms of shooting the band there is a little more variation. Firstly, there is a side profile close up of the lead singer. This seems to have a small element of a high angle shot looking up at him to inform viewers of who their fans idolise and admire. There is also a close up of his finger hitting the keys of his piano. This is used to satisfy the more musically inclined and for people to watch his talent in admiration. A further example is that of a mid shot of him sitting at the piano playing and singing, something which is deemed quite hard to do and entertaining. An over the shot shoulder shot of this also has the same effect. After the lamp crashes to floor in unison with the drum beat, the camera focuses on a close up of the drummer playing which is followed by a very quick mid, high angle shot of the drummer and his instruments.
The editing of the band playing is very fast in order to reflect the pace of the music at the point of the video; varying in close ups, mid shots and long shots of the guitarists especially. When the music starts to slow down again a pan shot is used to reveal all the band members and where they are in vicinity to one another. This is repeated later but in a long shot position to reveal the setting, lighting, instruments and amps. It also allows us to see the whole band playing together, something which puts across a good view of them and is entertaining for their fans who wish to see that some day in concert.
Towards the end of the one minute thirty seconds, the narrative and live performance elements come together with objects falling from above the band and crashing beside them while they’re playing.
The narrative is quite hard to understand as any ‘action’ is very minimal and during the one minute thirty seconds ill be doing, the story doesn’t really development and all we see is a couple together but not talking or hugging and just laying next one another. Therefore, from before in the video where the girl throws away letters, we get the impression they have fallen out slightly. However, the effects of the slow motion are a nice touch and if played on music channels I’m sure this would be a good advert for the band and receive repeated viewings. There is no evidence of any inter-textuality meaning it is totally original and different.
In conclusion, the video (or one minute thirty worth of it) is good viewing. It is edited well and in time with music i.e. the editing is quicker when the music speeds up. The slow motion effect separates the narrative from the live performance even more clearly and adds an element of originality making it a successful video in my opinion; one which I will try and learn from when filming and editing my video for the same song.