MUSIC VIDEOS TECHNIQUES / MEDIA LANGUAGE ANALYSIS

KAISER CHIEFS - COMING HOME

CAMERA MOVEMENT:

Tracking shot is the main camera movement within the music video. This is very essential as the continuity of movement empathizes the concept of the video which is ‘coming home’ as suggested within the title of the clip. Besides, from that this makes the audience more engaged and focused on the conceptual part of the video. This is partly achieved through the mise-en-scene, particularly props which create precise stories with a strong link to the concept of coming home and various experiences faced on the way. For example; a wide shot representing the main character and few others, drinking from the glasses around the piano. This idea of celebration is quite symbolic due to the props such as alcohol glasses or even colorful balloons. The colour of the balloons can be also quite symbolic as there are contrasting colors. The yellow can be considered as a symbol of happiness, in this case it might symbolise the joy of coming home. In contrast to blue and green tones which could signify negative experiences or emotions as they are considered to be cool colours.  This creates an idea around the symbolic concept as the colours and props are used to provoke thoughts about the journey and possible interpretations of the characters the performer meets on his way.

Medium close-up already at the beginning of the clip brings attention to the facial expressions of the character. This brings audience’s thoughtfulness already at the beginning of the video, as the make-up stylisation of a wounded man is quite empathetic building up tension and focus towards the next scenes. This is also empathized due to the white background, as his facial features significantly stand out. The direct eye contact makes the audience even more engaged as they might feel as if the artist was directing the song to them.

A wide shot is used almost throughout the entire music video. At the same time it is combined with the tracking camera movement which is strongly zoomed out allowing to demonstrate the wide frame throughout various parts of the clip.  The open fields within the background strongly emphasis the conceptual idea of the character going home, showing that there is nothing around expect emptiness. The pathway in which he is walking on is significantly the focus as this is where the story is told. However, the fields itself could be considered as a link to the artists’ regional identity, as it might potentially suggests the area he is originally from. This can be supported by the fact that he is walking away from the fields. The interpretation of this element can be quite open and analysed in many different ways. The idea of the pathway and journey can be strongly suggested through the performance itself, in which the artist is continuously singing. The combination of the performance and narrative is creating a hybrid, making the music video even more successful as it makes the audience feel more engaged into the conceptual story found within the clip.

EDITING TECHNIQUES:

The music video doesn’t include any cuts which is quite unusual. This can be considered as challenging the codes and conventions, allowing the video to be even more unique comparing to other clips available on the market.  This is significantly effective as it presents the conceptual story of the video in a continuous prose using tracking camera. This allows the clip to be seen as more creative and imaginative. Towards the end the freeze-frame is used creating an appearance of a still image. This is effective as it underlines the fact that the band is reunited. This shows a clear link to the title and the idea of ‘home’ which is often associated with positive relationships with family members and friends but also the idea of being re-united at some point, no matter how far you are from home. Besides, from that the freeze frame is empathizing the ending of the clip, giving the audience an opportunity to reflect on the setting and the conceptual purpose of the video.

Furthermore, the freeze frame at the end of the clip suggests there is a linear narrative of a beginning, middle and end. The freeze frame itself is used to present the ending, however the clip beginning is based around entering into a new world through a door placed in an empty field, whereas the middle of the clip is focused around the journey and the gathered experiences that allow the audience to interpret the story. The linear narrative allows the video to be seen as more reflective and thoughtful as it builds up thoughts and curiosity through the beginning, middle and end.

MISE-EN-SCENE:

Already at the beginning of the music video a prop is used to set up the scene and engage the audience. The door strongly empathizes the narrative within the clip as it begins to tell a story using fantasy. This is because the prop is set alone within the empty space. This might engage the viewer’s even more as they might be interested in the story he is about to tell. As it’s clearly less realistic it might be seen as more thought-provoking.  At the same time the door are used to signify him leaving a particular place and starting his journey back home.

The set of costumes found within the video were very essential to show the conceptual idea. Throughout the path the artist walked next to character’s dressed as hotel workers including a vacuum cleaner as well as a waiter with a phone. This strongly empathizes the idea of the character being away from home as it creates a visualisation of a hotel.  Another set of props and costumes is focused around the piano surrounded with balloons and various characters. This again empathized the idea of celebration and happiness suggesting that he is achieving his goal but also empathizing the journeys and people he met on his way.  This positive representation is then contrasted with two cowboy characters firing guns against each other. The gun might be considered as a phallic symbol, which is then used to signify danger and aggression. Towards the end of the video two knights are also fighting empathising the negative representation even further. Besides, from that this might create an idea of a war, battle or a conflict. This can be supported through the artist’s costume and stylisation as my first interpretation of the character was that he is a soldier or an army character.  This can be seen as impressionistic thought as it’s based on my personal feelings and ideas.

At the end of the video the sunbeds are used to empathize the ending of the journey. This is very effective as it’s supported through a wide shot which demonstrates the entire band facing towards the horizon, creating a peaceful and positive atmosphere. The ending also allows it to bring the entire band together as throughout the music video the main focus was based around the singer. Besides, from that the setting empathizes the view as well as the length of the journey, creating a sense of accomplishment, simply reinforcing the purpose of the journey, which might be based around re-uniting with friends or a family.

SOUND:

The non-diegetic sound (the sound track) is used throughout the entire music video .This is successful as the sound has much more advanced quality. The fact that the sound from the environment is not used influenced this as well, allowing the sound to be clear, accurate and expressive reinforcing the genre of the rock music even further. The use of non-diegetic sound influences the visuals as well as it allows to reinforce the visual images within the clip, creating a bigger impact around the audience.

Parallel Sound is used accurately with the speed of the video frame, meaning it reflects the mood of the song. This is very essential within music videos it makes it more engaging for the audience, meaning they want to carry on watching the video clip. Besides, from that it’s important for the parallel sound to be accurate to the genre of music you are trying to promote. In this case the mix of indie rock, power pop, Britpop and post-punk is shown through the energetic movement of the performer as well as the rhythm of the song and expressiveness of the instruments.

At some point in the clip the artist stops miming the track however, the non-diegetic sound of him singing is still on. This doesn’t creates a massive change as throughout most of the video the artist is performing to the music, however it creates tension that something else might happen. This might engage the audience to watch it even further.