Video analysis.

What is intertextuality? Intertextuality is the process of creating references to any kind of media text in another media text. Can be reflected in the style of the video, can also include parodies. Making references to the genre in general and to other videos.

Examples of intertextuality: An example of intertextuality includes the music video for the song “Dope hat” by Marilyn Manson. The entire video is a very clear reference to the Willy Wonka film, being set and based around one specific scene from the original film.

Why is it used to appeal to an audience? Using intertextuality can help to appeal to an audience because it can help create a possibly more interesting video that the viewer can likely relate to more. People can enjoy seeing all the references that are being made to other pieces of media that they like. 

Do I plan to use any intertextuality in my video? I do not plan to use any forms of intertextuality within my music video.

 




Video 1: ACDC – Back in Black

ACDC - Back in Black

The music video for “Back in Black” By ACDC is a performance based video, featuring only the
band throughout. It features different shots and angles of each member and the whole band playing instruments and performing the song.

Lighting: The main source of lighting in this video includes the artificial white lights provided by the stage / venue that the band are playing at. There are different coloured stage lights throughout too, such as greens, reds, and blues. However these coloured lights do not make much of an impact on the colouring of the shots. Dark / low-key lighting. Start off very minimal and dark at the star / introduction of the song. Lights start to turn on and build up a minute into the song, lights are constantly flashing after the solo halfway through. The lighting is used to suit the slower paced / calm moods, or the fast paced / hyperactive moods of the song.

Camera movement + shots: Start of the song uses panning to slowly reveal each member of the band one at time, pans to the left. The camera then zooms out on the left side to reveal the singer. Close up shots throughout of band members performing. Medium shots are also used to show a couple members performing at a single time. More distant shots are used to show the entire band at once. There is a lot of focus on the guitarist of the band when the solo is being played.

Editing transitions: Throughout the video there are numerous quick cuts to different camera angles and shots. No special transitions or effects are used to edit shots together.

Representation - how the artist / band / characters are represented through the technical elements:  

Dominant ideologies:

Genre of the music and how this is signified in the video: ACDC are a hard rock / blues band, sometimes considered as a heavy metal band. These genres of music are signified in the music video through the focus on the band and their performance, along with the instruments being used are very common for these genres.

Intertextuality – whether the video features any intertextual references, where, to what and why?

This video contains no obvious intertextual references to any other videos or topics.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: The main visuals of the song heavily feature black colours, this could be linked to the lyrics "Back in black.." and could have been chosen to fit with the song lyrics. 

Relationship between music and visuals - Tone and atmosphere of the visual reflect that of the music.  

Demonstrate genre characteristics: The characteristics of Rock that are shown throughout can include the range and use of their instruments, and members stomping or head banging in time with the music. The hard and loud vocals of the singer is also a common characteristic of hard rock

Props: The props used in this video feature common things included in and associated with the genre of rock music. This includes: Guitars, microphones, drum kits, bass, and guitars. General instruments played by each member of the band.

Outfits: The outfits used by each band member are unique to each member and follows the specific style of the band. One main feature / outfit is used by the main guitarist, whose signature style and identity in the band includes wearing a classic school boy costume, which he has done for many years. The singer of the band is wearing a specific hat, which has become his unique identity within the band.

Hair and Makeup: Natural styles of each band member, being long hair. Variety of long straight hair, or curly and messy. Hair of the band members feels and suits the genre of Rock, especially from the time of 80’s rock.

Location: The video is based on a stage, making the video look as if it is performed in front of an audience, or at a rehearsal – the atmosphere and location helps show that the band is performing the song at a possible gig or venue. Location of a venue or staging is a common theme for ACDC videos, or other rock videos.

Colour: Black is a very common colour used throughout the video, using a black background in most shots, and black clothing. Other colours are faintly provided by the stage lights, these are not very obvious in the video though. But there are faint uses of dark greens, reds, and blues that show.

Video 2: Breaking Benjamin – I will not bow
Breaking Benjamin - I will not bow

The music video for “I will not bow” by Breaking Benjamin is a video purely based and filmed around performance, there are no story elements included in the video. The video focuses on showing the band performing the song, showing many different shots throughout of each band member.

Lighting: Natural lighting, being lit from the windows and outside. There was possibly other studio lighting equipment used to prevent under exposure, but it is not too obvious.

Camera movement + shots: The first 8 seconds of the song shows an establishing shot with the singer included, this is setting the scene and showing where the music video is placed. There is a build-up in the instrumentals of the song up until the 9^th second, at which point the camera cuts to a close up shot of the singer. There are many close up shots in the video of the singer. Medium shots are used on individual members, or to include two members at once. Long shots are used show most of / the entire band playing at once.

Editing transitions: No special editing transitions are used to edit shots together, there are a lot of quick cuts used to jump between shots though.

Representation - how the artist / band / characters are represented through the technical elements: 

Dominant ideologies:

Genre of the music and how this is signified in the video: The band are a hard rock / alternative metal band, and this is genre of music is signified throughout the video by the actions of the band members who are all heavily rocking their heads in time with the music / head banging. The range of instruments that they use can also help to show the genre of music being played, as they are common instruments used within rock and metal. Focus on them playing together.

Intertextuality – whether the video features any intertextual references, where, to what and why?

This video contains no obvious intertextual references to any other videos or topics.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: The visuals in the video are not made to match or created to show and exactly what the lyrics are saying (Not amplified) The visuals are not contradictive to the lyrics.

Relationship between music and visuals - Tone and atmosphere of the visual reflect that of the music:

Demonstrate genre characteristics: The band are a hard rock / alternative metal band, and this is genre of music is signified throughout the video by the actions of the band members who are all heavily rocking their heads in time with the music / head banging.

Props: The props used in this video includes the typical instruments and equipment used and associated with Rock / metal music. This is including Amplifiers and cables, guitars, drum kits, and bass guitars.

Outfits: The members of the band are not wearing the exact same clothing / outfits throughout. However, they are all following a style of wearing black clothing. There is a variety of clothing that includes tank tops, t-shirts, or jackets, all of which are black. Jeans are worn by each member of the band. Casual clothing.

Hair and Makeup: The hair styles of the band include short and simple hair, not styled in any specific way. No long hair styles. One member of the band is wearing a hat backwards. These hairstyles are different to the styles shown in the ACDC video, where members have long messy hair.

Location: The music video is set in an empty apartment / office high up in Skyscraper in the middle of a city. Specifically the 7 World Trade Centre in Manhattan, New York. The emptiness of the setting provides a simple, clean and spacious area for the band to perform. The director of the video has said previously that he chose the location as he felt it was an eerie place to film.

Colour: The colouring of the music video is very limited in range, mainly featuring pale greys and blues, black is also a very common colour throughout. The background mostly features the dull and pale colours. Simple colours, works well with the city environment, looks very modern and clean.

Video 3: Dorje – Catalyst

Dorje - Catalyst

The music video for the song “Catalyst” by Dorje is a music video that is based purely on performance, focusing heavily on the playing skills of each band member.

Lighting: High key lighting, natural light from outside where the video is set, strong shadows are produced. No under or over exposure.

Camera movement + shots: Long distance / establishing shot that last 3 or 4 seconds, shows the whole area of where the band is playing. This shot is also possibly taken from the air, helps give a better overview. Introduction of the song cuts between medium shots of the members performing, and aerial shots of the setting (very fast cuts and shots). The camera pans when the band members are being filmed. Shot durations slow down once the introduction has finished and the song calms down, longer shots. Distant and aerial shots are used throughout. Close up and focus on the guitarists and their playing during the solo.

Editing transitions: Very fast multiple cuts during the introduction, choruses, and solo of the song. No special edits or transitions are used in the video. In the build up to the first chorus, there are multiple rapid cuts between a shot of the drummer, shots of the singer, and aerial shots of the location.

Representation - how the artist / band / characters are represented through the technical elements: 

Dominant ideologies:

Genre of the music and how this is signified in the video: The band are a rock / progressive metal band, and this genre of music is signified in the video through the range of instruments that are being shown throughout as these are common instruments used and associated with these genres. The video is also focused primarily on them playing together as a band, which is a very common thing in rock and metal videos.

Intertextuality – whether the video features any intertextual references, where, to what and why?

This video contains no obvious intertextual references to any other videos or topics. 

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: The visuals in the video are not made to match or created to show and exactly what the lyrics are saying (Not amplified) The visuals are not contradictive to the lyrics.

Relationship between music and visuals - Tone and atmosphere of the visual reflect that of the music:

Demonstrate genre characteristics: The fast paced cutting and editing during the chorus in the video can fit with the characteristic of rock / metal music being faster paced and heavy music. The lyrics of the song also appear to be written about someone or something happening in the singer’s life. If the lyrics have been written about someone, then this can fit with a common characteristic of metal music, where the topic is normally focused on someone that the singer was close to or loved.

Props: Typical equipment used and associated with bands, Microphones, amplifiers and speakers, guitars, and bass guitar.

Outfits: Casual clothing, no specific style or outfits followed by the band. T-shirts, shorts, jeans.

Hair and Makeup: No specific hairstyle is followed by the band members and they are not trying to follow a specific style that fits with the genre of music.

Location: Maltese Island – Gozo, stated in the video description of the music video on YouTube. They us a unique location compared to many other music videos, especially of similar genres.

Colour: The colouring of this video throughout consist heavily of orange and blue, more likely to come from the setting and location that the video is filmed at, rather than post production.