Music Video Evaluations

Kate Nash - Merry Happy

The music video includes:

· Narrative

· Performance

· Lyrics and Visuals (toast)

1. What are the technical and stylistic strengths?

The shots were well framed and it was good editing. Very creative, because they used children instead of adults. Use of animation was quite nice.

2. What are the main weaknesses?

Same location. Boring after a bit. Used the same shots all over again but with effects. The shots were really long.

3. Does it meet the conventions and expectations?

The image of the artist didn't match the song as there was a clear age difference, we found this idea creative as it was different from using adults. The genre of music was what we thought it should be as there was a romance narrative.

4. What mark would you give it?

30/40 Level 3

Lazlo Bane - I'm no Superman

The music video includes:

· Narrative

· Performance

· Conceptual

1. What are the technical and stylistic strengths?

Good lip syncing, creative as they used strengths versus weaknesses (superman), comic strip was creative, but the downfall about this was it was only used once so could of been improved by repeating the edit.

2. What are the main weaknesses?

Difficult to view the clips (quite dark), shots were held for too long, poor play syncing, continuity wasn't very good.

3. Does it meet the conventions and expectations?
Yes, it does meet the image of the artist as the lyrics are 'i'm no superman' represents the artist as he clearly shows he isn't and doesn't have super powers.

4. What mark would you give it?

20/40 Level 2

Rumble Strips - Hands

The music video includes:

· Narrative

· Performance

· Lyrics and Visuals (hands, running)

1. What are the technical and stylistic strengths?

Camera work and editing was very good, as there was fast shots and the lyrics were fast so it would be quite difficult to make it work but they did. Creative as they had big hands. Variety of shots to make it interesting. The energy of the performers matched the pace of the music. Humorous element.

2. What are the main weaknesses?

Some of the continuity was off and didn't flow as well, and the lip syncing wasn't the best. Also the shots were quite difficult to see as they were slightly blurry.

3. Does it meet the conventions and expectations?

Yes as they had a boy band and thats what you would expect in this kind of video (indie genre). The costume matched the type of song, and the locations were different and creative.

4. What mark would you give it?

35/40 Level 4

Crystal Castles - Not In Love

This music video includes:

· Narrative

· Performance

1. What are the technical and stylistic strengths?

A good, clear narrative, the storyline was really interesting and kept you watching. There was a range of locations and a large variety of shots. Fast editing and fast pace of shots, keeps up with the music. Good acting. Nice pull focus shots. Good use of effects, the reverse effect.

2. What are the main weaknesses?

Some of the lip syncing didn't match up with the audio.

3. Does it meet conventions and expectations?

Yes, the locations and costumes are quite urban. Conventional smoking and drinking, they also had the band playing on the street.

4. What mark would you give it?

38/40 Level 4

The XX - Heart Skips a beat

· Conceptual

· Performance

1. What are the technical and stylistic strengths?

Good lip syncing , and brilliant idea of using symmetrical effect

2. What are the main weaknesses?
Repeating the same shots in the video which makes the video quite boring. The two artists actually just sit in front of a table and sing, there are not enough location changes to enrich the video.

3.Does it meet conventions and expectation?
Yes. They've got the appropriate costumes, it's in black & white, they've got instruments with a band playing and they even used a studio as one of their locations which matches the conventions.

4. What mark would you give it?

28/40 Level 3

The Specials - Ghost Town

· Performance

· Narrative

1. What are the technical and stylistic strengths?

Interesting effects, it makes it looks like a 90s music video.

2. What are the main weaknesses?

Bad lip syncing, they put the effect on as if they just want to cover up their bad lip syncing. They also kept filming an old building but we just dont get what's the point of it. They only used two locations in the music video which make the video less interesting.

3.Does it meet conventions and expectation?

Yes. Its in black and white, they got the band playing

4. What mark would you give it?

20/40 Level 2