P.P-C - Deconstructing a Music Video

'Before the Worst'-The Script

‘Before the Worst’ by the script is a performance based video. When watching other videos by ‘The Script’ it is clear to understand that there videos are quite simple, although extremely effective. The bands star image is reinforced throughout all there videos including this one. This video is very casual, which in a way makes the band more likeable to the audience, as they don’t need any special effects, its more about their music and the band members, so because of this we as an audience can relate to them much more. The music video has no real relationship to the lyrics. The script focus on showing a performance and the meaning of the lyrics without the need to back them up with visuals. This video may be classed as disjunctive; however it does not involve clips of random scenes that have nothing to do with the music. This music video illustrates the meaning of the lyrics, not through visuals but facial expressions and how the band performs the song, amplifying the meaning.

All music videos can be considered art, although I would still consider this music video art, I would say that it could be argued that it is not. This is because they are not challenging any conventions or showing any challenging new ideas; it is just a performance based video and more about the song. The video is used to advertise the band and show fans a bit more of what they are like as a band. Although there is no relationship between the lyrics and the visuals there is a relationship between the music and the visuals. If we watch the video it is noticeable that when a new instrument comes in or you can hear it a lot more than the other instruments we are shown a visual of that certain instrument, this shows the audience what instruments are used. For example 43 seconds into the video, we are shown a shot of the keyboard panning up to the lead singer, it introduces the instrument and the music that it plays is amplified to show that at that moment that is the focus of the song, the focus is then lead to the lead singer. Through-out the video this seems to be the theme, with a few location shots and shots reminding us that they are just practising. Most of the shots at the beginning of this video are very slow paced, keeping in theme with the music, although when the speed of the music is faster, there are more shots shown and the pace of the editing is increased, this allows the audience to relate the music and visuals together, showing a illustrative view on the music video. Therefore the conventions of the genre and band are reinforced.

This video is very straightforward, although works well for the band and their music. At the very start of the video, before the music has started we are shown a panning shot of the empty seats; this is so the audience understand that the video is showing them in a rehearsal before a concert. The video comes across as a un-rehearsed performance, this allows the audience to relate to the band a lot more, showing the band having fun but taking their music very seriously, this may connote what the band are like, and shows parasocial intimacy. There are lots of location shots, to show they are practising in an empty stadium, these shots are mainly long shots and extreme long shots. They also use a bird’s eye view of the stage to show the band and how busy it is. There are a few high angle shots used, showing the band and the empty stadium, this shot might have been used to show how large the stadium is in comparison to the band, for instance 1.16 into the video we are shown this type of shot. Watching this video I noticed that most of the shots are continuously moving, keeping the audience involved and interested.

There are no special effects used in this video, as it Is very casual and has no need for the use of special effects it also means that this type of video is lo-fi. Most of ‘The Scripts’ music videos are lo-fi, meaning they are acting to the typical conventions of their genre. Due to this video being lo-fi, the different elements of Mise-en-scene are very important. Firstly the lighting used in this video makes the shots stronger and gives the overall video a warm glow. The lights used give the band a warm orangey glow on their faces, this may connote that the band are kind and caring people, therefore warm colours are used, for example at 2.35 a CU shot is used showing the backing singer, in this shot we notice a dark background and then the lights on his face, the lights used here make the shot very bold. The lighting helps to amplify meaning. In the main we are shown shots of the lead singer, this may be due to the record label demands and what they think the audience want to see more of, as Goodwin states. The ‘lights’ connote loneliness, this is emphasised when we are shown the shot of the lead singer walking through the streets, it also gives a feeling of being very dream-like. We are shown, medium shots, close-ups and long shots of just the lead singer on his own, this is so we as an audience become familiar with him as the lead singer and relate to him. The clothes worn by the band are very casual and laid back, the clothing is also very dark, giving the impression that the band are not trying too hard or to dress up. The entire band is wearing the same type of clothing, telling us that they are all as important as each other. Using Dyers critical framework on ‘stars’ it is evident that ‘The Script’ are illustrated as an ordinary group of guys, wearing normal everyday clothing however come across as extra-ordinary in their talent, both with their vocals and ability to play their instruments.

I believe that there is no intertextual reference in this video, due to it being a performance based video, although we might be able to find some hidden meaning, for example, they are singing in an empty stadium, and when the lead singer is walking through the streets and there is no-one there, everyone has gone, gives you as the audience the feeling of being alone.

Considering this video is mainly performance based, it allows us to familiarise ourselves with the band members and what instrument each of them play, by the use of the camera techniques and different mise-en-scene elements. ‘The Script’ allow us to see their ‘before the show’ performance, this being much more of a personal performance, as if the band is letting us see another side of them, which normally we wouldn’t see. Due to this video coming across so casual, it helps to sell the bands product because as the audience we can relate to them much more, as they seem like regular guys. How the band is represented will help to sell more records. When we are shown all of the instruments, and shots of them playing them we can see how talented they are and that they don’t just sing they can do more. There are no ideological discourse issues being challenged or reinforced through-out this video.