Research: Music video analysis

Weezer - islands in the sun




The camera work used throughout the video is very pleasing on the eye as the vast majority of the shots are long shots displaying the landscape, however there are some very good close up shots portraying the happiness and friendliness between the animals and humans which relates to the bubblyness of the song.

The focus through out the video is generally evenly spread between all 3 members of the band implying that they all sing equally through out the song, with no established lead singer.

There is no obvious make-up used in this video on any of the band members, and there clothes are basic and simple colours so that they don't distract away from the scenery.

This music video isn't performance based or narrative as there seems to be no story on the surface and none of the singers are shown singing the song, generally the video is mainly a feel good video as its very idyllic.

The relationship between the visuals and the lyrics is quite prominent in some places, especially at the very start where we immediately see a image of the sun which links in to the song title, we then have another dominant image of the sun at the very end of the video. Also through out the video there is continual reference to 'playing and having fun' and this is emphasised by the singers playing with the animals and having fun and laughing. We also get the impression that the video is set on a island as the only people present are the singers and the animals.

John Mayer - Say




The camera work within this video is generally similar as the shots are mostly close up or extreme close up, this is due to the setting as it doesn't allow long shots. There the occasional mid shots involving the surrounding room of some significance.

The focus of the video is solely on the singer as he doesn't disappear from a singly shot as he (from one angle or another) is constant through out the whole video.

There is a lot of transition editing between different shots to differentiate as the video is pretty plain due to the fact the whole video is solely the singer with very little scenery and a lot of close ups.

Its very performance based as he is singing and playing the guitar through out the video.

The relationship between the visuals and the lyrics is generally clear. 'Walking like a one man army' this is clearly a prominent line within the song as he is the only male figure in the video.