Music video analysis 1

Dan Croll - From Nowhere

 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS

In Dan Croll's From Nowhere there is a large relationship between the lyrics and the video, however this isn't done by directly playing out the lyrics in a story but by representing them in a different way. This is firstly done by having the video set in a fake official 'national staring competition' this plays on the fact the chorus of the lyrics states "'Cause every now and then I fall a bit behind, Every time I stare into your eyes". Therefore although the lyrics would be heard in a romantic setting, the video takes it out this context and interprets it in a more comedic way. Lyrics such as "Every now and then I fall, Every now and then I lose control" could also be seen as represented through the suggestion of distraction in the video, when the competitors are trying to hinder each others chances at winning.

GENRE CHARACTERISTICS
There aren't many genre signifiers as the video is set in a unique way/location. However the mise-en-scene gives it a more retro look which fits into the genres aesthetic, but could be seen to contrast with the instruments and music used.

PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT
The two which can be seen in this music video would be performance and concept, however it could be argues that the narrative also lightly follows the song. It shows performance by including different actors and giving them a role- competitors in a staring contest, this supports the concept of people competing in a national staring competition. This gives the viewer a source of entertainment backed up by the song.

PERFORMANCE STYLE 
The main style of performance that can be seen is through the lead singer lip-syncing to the song and the band playing, however this is taking place as they are taking part in the concept as a competitor thus not much more band performance is expected. In this the re is verisimilitude as the instruments are played at the same time as the song, however there is 
a known lack of truth to the audience as the instruments aren't shown properly so the 
audience can't tell if they're plugged in or if musicians playing the song correctly, and it is also know that it would be difficult to maintain playing whilst taking place in the competition. This means it could be achieved by amateurs.

The camera movements shown however are not to that from an amateur production as it has been achieved through a various steady cam, creating a specific look.

Many of the shot types that are used are medium shots, medium close ups, and close ups these are used when the lyrics can be heard to give emphasis and associate them with the people featured in the video. Other shots used are medium long shots and long shots to show the wider area of the set and what is being shown.

LINEAR, CLOSED NARRATIVE?
In this video the narrative is linear as the audience can see a story taking place in which it has a start and end however this story is only simple thus it doesn't follow Todorov's theory as there is no disruption to an equilibrium. But the meaning is clear and easy to understand. The ending is marked through the shot of the trophies and the final blink.

STAR TREATMENT
The lead singer- Dan Croll, is singled out in the video as it starts and ends with him and he is focused on the most throughout, he is also the one to win the conclusion and finalise the video with the last blink.


AUDIENCE SHOWN IN VIDEO?
It could be argued that the audience can be seen in the video as the majority of the actors are of the same age as the audience who would listen however they are playing a role so it may not be as relevant.


PACE & ANY VARIATION OF PACE
The pace of the shots at the beginning of the video are not particularly fast or slow and don't seem to match the beat of the song up until the bridge and chorus where the shots correspond with the beat of the song. Many shots also focus on the singer when he is singing and cut to a different shot when not.

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE
The location, similar to an old town/church/school hall has been used and picked to suit the context of the song, it ads to the retro look of the video along with the rest of the mise-en-scene, colours and objects. However some of the clothes could be seen as more modern but still with retro details.