Shots

I like this type of shot quite a lot, and if we cover the back of the container in the Crash Course logo then we could use this type of shot, maybe at the start of the video.



The shot focuses on the background using deep focus, then switches to shallow focus to encompass the lead singer Deryck.



Furthermore, when the music drops, in the song 'Still Waiting' we see the whole band except the drummer but it is perfectly timed. We could use a similar shot with maybe just the guitarist and the bassist in the chorus when Nick sings "understand each other".



Also, I have been looking at many different styles of shot to use with Nick, the lead singer, and here are some ideas using Sum 41:

This extreme close up shot allows the audience to effectively view the lead singer, as in many conventional performance videos, the lead singer normally receives the most close up shots, as the record labels tend to market the band around the lead singer.

The medium shot from a similar angle as the extreme close up allows us to further see the lead singer, but also where he is established and what instrument he is playing. Furthermore, we can see his clothing style which would allow for fans to idiolise him even more, and perhaps for even some product placement.

This is another Extreme close up shot, but from a much higher angle so again we see more of the lead singer's surroundings.

The previous two shots are Extreme close ups from a very similar angle, except they are from either side of the singers face. This adds a bit more variety to the video as well as further advertising the lead singer.

This final shot is a slightly further out medium shot, whilst the angle is also slightly different. It allows to see more of the lead singer, and it also makes it easier to use more camera movement in the filming, such as perhaps a pan or a tracking shot.

'Motivation' - Sum 41 Video Analysis

- The video is set in what seems to be a bedroom, which suggests that this could just be a band practice.


- The opening shot is a tracking shot across the bedroom to help establish where they are. The only sound is the drum being played, and while the lead singer (Deryck Whibley) jumps to play his guitar, there is a cut to him from the front. This signals the rest of the band to begin playing.






- This only takes 6 seconds.


- There are then many fast cuts as they establish the band playing the introduction to the song, in various part of the room. This means we can better establish the band members and we also are conveyed, through the cut speed, the tempo of the music. This tempo drives the pace of the music video its self, which is why there are so many fast cuts.



- The first vocals are shown through an extreme close up shot of Deryck, as he sings into the microphone. We are now made aware of who the lead singer is. Furthermore, the record company demands many close ups of the star of the band, to increase the ability of the star to market himself and the band.






- Although there is very little camera movement, the pace of the cuts is very fast as we keep moving around the room from band member to band member, so we have an idea of everything that is happening in the room.


- At 1.43, it uses a lamp shade to frame a shot of the bassist in the near and the lead guitarist far away. This helps add to the idea that this is only a band practice as it is just a common household item, something that would not be found at a gig.






- It then goes onto use the same tracking shot as it did to establish the scene, yet this time we see every band member playing their respective instruments. This helps add an element of continuity to the video.



- At 2.03, we see the music slow in tempo, and only one guitar is playing. This then shows the members of the band doing things such as being on the phone or playing darts, as they would in a break. This makes the band members seem more realistic, and it also adds a air of comedy to the video, especially with Dave Baksh eating fish food.






- However, we see the basist from behind, still with his guitar on, which lets us know practice is still happening.





- The closing shot is of Deryck's mouth engulfing the camera in darkness, which signifies the end of the video with a slight comedic twist.





There is a distinct trend to music videos recorded by Sum 41. They always use a slight comedic aspect to their videos, and also use a slight immature theme as it allows them to connect with both the younger audience, and the immature side of the older generations. This is shown in videos such as 'Walking Disaster' (based on the trials and tribulations of a toy robot), 'Hell Song' (Dolls used to represent the band playing live, with many celebrity dolls in the audience. This exposed the corrupt and antisocial behavior of celebrities behind closed doors) and 'In Too Deep' (which showed a diving competition, with the band members competing s a team and performing random diving stunts which are not in keeping with the austere environment of a diving competition).

Sophie's Video Analysis

Sophie has analysed the music video 'Elvis ain't Dead' by Scouting For Girls.

It has a combination of performance and a storyline.

If you want to see it, have a quick look.

Story of the Year- Until the Day I Die

The video on which the times were based in the text had disabled embedding 'by request'. So I'm posting a link here.

- The opening shot is of various bottles smashed on the floor. This is as the guitar is starting to sound in the background.




- The first 6 seconds are all of the guitar building up, with 3 different cuts. We then see a fly which flies across the screen, this accompanied to a cut brings the lead singer (Dan Marsala) into the audiences view. He begins to sing whilst still out of focus.




-He comes into focus briefly at 0.09 before another cut.



- This high amount of exposure to the lead singer is almost inevitably due pressure from the record company wishing to establish him as an icon or star.



- It continues with the same chords being played on the guitar in the background with his vocals laid over it for roughly 15 seconds. It uses a large amount of shallow and deep focus.


- At 0.24, we see the first cut to the live performance, but the first thing we see is the guitarist mid way through a jump whilst playing the guitar.



- For the next 10 seconds, we have varying cuts of the band members performing. This helps establish the people who are in fact in the band, as in this video there are many shots of individuals in the crowd singing along, and this helps distinguish between the band and the crowd.




- At 0.35, we cut to the lead singer no longer on stage on his own, in a similar setting to the start of the video. This signals the beginning of the vocals again. Once more, this helps increase exposure.




- The music video effectively uses the crowd, as it shows many singing along and obviously enjoying the experience.



- At 0.43, the lyrics say 'I die too', and he pats his heart.



- In the live performance, there are many many cuts between the band members. Also there is a large amount of camera movement, to put emphasis on the idea that YOU are in the crowd.

- This is further reinforced at 0.59 when a low angled shot from within the crowd, facing towards the stage, helps add to this idea of actually being there.



- The camera even moves in time with singer nodding his head at 1.27, with the camera panning up and down.

- At 1.45, we hear the words 'My hands are at your throat', and he points to his throat.



- Even when he is singing on his own, the camera is still moving.



- During the unclean vocal section of the song (scream) we have an extreme close up of the singers mouth. This is at roughly 2.25.



- Drummer spins his sticks in his hand when he isn't playing. This is a close up shot and helps increase the audiences estimation of the bands skill.



- The lyrics repeat 'My hands are at your throat', but this time we see the audiences hands all around his throat. This helps increase the audience interaction with the band.




- At 3.04, the music begins to become more heavy again, and to signal a return to the live performance we see a member of the crowd, or possibly the band, run and perform a back flip. This helps increase the enjoyment of the performance, as it makes it seem more extreme and dangerous.




- The last shot of the live performance is of the bassist playing the final chord. While this is playing out we see the singer alone again, and the shot cuts are similar to the start of the video.