What is the function of a music video?

Foster The People: Call It What You Want.

 
 
 

Feature of the camerawork are shown through the major use of zooming in and out. This allowed us to see facial expressions and a range of settings. There are a range of sets used, for example mid-long shot showing the drummer talking to his reflection in the mirror. You also see the use of a low angle shot when the lead singer is sitting on the balcony to show the girls point of view from down below. The shots mainly focus on the band as they are the only people in the video apart from the girls who are almost like props. There are mainly close ups on the band and the instruments they are playing.

The video is edited to the beat and the pace matches the song which is quit speedy.  They show a number of settings throughout the video then continuously visit these sets and shots. The structure of this music video id a non-linear structure and there is no use of any obvious filters on the video. They use no transactions throughout the video except cut shots and the use of jump cuts as the jump from all the locations in the house to where all the different band members are.

The artists are wearing a range of clothes that depend on what setting they are in. In the bedroom the lead singer is in a bathrobe but when playing their instruments they are in casual wear. All the rooms they are in are set within a singular mansion.  The lighting all seems quite natural or just slightly brightened in curtain parts of the place that they are filming in.

The features of genetic signifiers are quite obvious in this music video such as the clothes they are wearing are skinny jeans and loose shirts which a classic look for and indie band. They are also shown playing their instruments in the video which rock fans like to see in their videos.