Textual Analysis of Music Video 2

1. Introduction

 ● Which video are you analysing, who is it
by and, if you know, who directed it?

● What genre does the music belong to and

what broad characteristics of that genre
does the video have?

2. What is the relationship between lyrics and visuals?

 ● Work through the song and identify ways
in which the lyrics are illustrated or
amplified or even contradicted by the
visuals.

● Pick out some specific examples to back

up your argument.

 

3. What is the relationship between music and visuals?

 ● Does the video cut to the beat?

● Are solo instrumental bits illustrated by

the video?

● Does the video change pace with the

music?

● Give examples to support your points.

4. Are there close-ups of the artist and
star image motifs?

● How is the record company looking to sell

this track?

● What image of the artist/band is being

offered?

● How does this video relate to previous

videos by the artist?

● Are there motifs which have been used

previously? Or does this video represent a
change of image?

 

5. Is there reference to the notion of

looking?

● Do you get the sense that the artist is on

sexual display or that other people in the
video are used in this way?

● Does camerawork, costume, dance or

something else imply sexualised display?

● Are there other references to ‘looking’

such as screens within screens or
binoculars, cameras, etc.?

● Give examples and consider why these

features have been chosen.

 

6. Are there intersexual references?

● Do these relate to other music videos, to

aspects of the star’s image or to
completely separate texts such as TV
programmes or films?

● How are they used?

7. Is the music video performance-based,
narrative-based or concept-based?

● How much of each?

8. Conclusion

● To sum up your overall essay, it is worth

drawing together your main points and
emphasising what kind of video this is.




- Introduction
"21 Guns" by Green Day, Directed by Marc Webb.
Green Day is an American Punk Rock band.


- What is the Relationship between Lyrics and Visuals?
The most obvious use of this is every time they sing the chorus "One, 21 Guns" then the room starts to get shot up with 21 guns.


- What is the Relationship between Music and Visuals?
Just before the Chorus when they sing "Your in ruins" the drum beat sounds like a heartbeat, and also as the music calms down the Visuals also calm and are less violent.


- Are there Close-Ups of the artist and Star Image Motif?
In the music video there are a few Close-Ups of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tre Cool and the 2 Actors, this music video has many motifs to Green Days style with their darkened hair styles and messy punk clothing.


- Is there reference to the notion of looking?
There are no apparent references to 'Looking' and is all somewhat normal, the only part that could be considered looking is towards the end.


- Is there Intertexual references?
no.

- Is the music video performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based
The music video is Preformance-Based and somewhat Narrative-Based.

-Conclusion
In conclusion, the Green Day music video is a very well made and well polished music video that is full of the common Green Day motifs and is very befitting of their style, Marc Webb later went on to Direct other Green Day music videos 21st Century Breakdown and Last of the American Girls. Personally I like the 21 Guns music video as it is a fairly good Narrative and Performance Based Video, it is also well directed with its fairly drawn out shots leaving the story telling to the actors which really works with the song