Introduction to Music Video's and the Music Industry

As an introduction to the module of the production of music videos I have decided to analyse a recent favourite music video of mine that made it appealing to me. I will analyse it through the representation of mise-en-scene, camera angles, editing techniques and sound. I hope this will be helpful for future inspiration in the own production of myself and my groups own music video.



Just Jack - The Day I Died

Mise-en-scene

Wakes up in a bed which symbolises that maybe he is having a dream; your bed is the general setting of having a dream.

Setting of the kitchen not only fits in with the lyrics to the song "Get my kids up, make breakfast.." but it is an everyday setting. This reflects the normal goings on of his day as the song says.

The toy cars symbolise his death; the ambulance and the taxi.

As he walks through the rush hour crowds he blends in, its something he does everyday.

The cuts and bruises on his face again symbolise what is about to happen to him and foreshadow his death, hence the song the title "The Day I Died".

The sun is shining down on him, heavenly symbol which fits in with the theme of the song.

High class building (his work) maybe reflects his social status.

He is reading a book called "The Day I Died", this is spookily linked to the title of the song and what will happen to him.

Busy London streets reflect his busy hectic day.

He is standing on the "top" of the drawing of the world on the pavement. This could symbolise he feeling on top of the world at that moment; this fits in nicely with the lyrics "The day I died was the best day of my life".

Camera Angles/Editing Techniques

• Close-up of him waking up in bed shows the audience the story is focused on his day.
• Medium shot of family in the kitchen, reflects normal day to day happenings.
• POV shot of children looking up at their dad; shows they admire and look up to him.
• Close up of kissing his wife, highlights their love.
• Tracking shot of him walking along the street symbolises that us as an audience are following his story.
• Slow motion editing slows down the story and higlights that HIS story or life is coming to an end.
• Sharp cuts are used for the flashbacks of his family which links in the with the idea that in death your life flashes before your eyes.

Sound/Lighting

• Street sounds at the beginning reflect that he is going to have a busy day.
• Bright light on his family symbolise them as the most important beings in his life.
• Ambulance sirens at the end show there is death and injury in the scene.
• Darkness at the end of the video symbolises his life ending, also the paramedic closes his eyes.