Wednesday 21 November 2007

LT - Product Analysis # 2

The Killers - Read My Mind
Click here to see the video.

  • Performance based (hint at a narrative involving band members).
  • Urban location - cultural codes - Japanese writing, lights, busy city, opening shot of main singer has his hands together as in prayer or a sign of being in Japan?
  • Focused viewing - enigmatic video requires viewer to watch the video and find out why they're in Japan, why they're in kimonos, what the big green bug is doing there, etc.
  • Relationship between lyrics and music - "On the corner of Main Street, trying to keep it in line" - main singer of the band is standing in a crossroads on a busy street as he says this, pointing his hands towards the camera in a straight line.
  • Relationship between visuals and music - frequent use of cuts on the beats of the music, slow-paced song and so the video shows the band chilling out, having fun.
  • Comedy element with big green bug, Japanese kimono costumes on the male band members, teaching small Japanese school children to dance etc.
  • Mid-shot showing the four band members with their arms round each other walking in the park - constructs the typical 'rock/indie' star image/persona, that they all get on well as a band, good friends.
  • Intertextual reference to other music videos/old films - bicycle shot, all four band members riding old style bicycles down the street, reinforces their friendship and conveys that they have been friends for a long time.
  • Band image developed together, continuity in image within the band - black and white, smart suits with ties (ska?), leathers jackets.
  • First person mode of address - singer talks directly to the camera, therefore to the audience, involving them more and drawing them in to the words he is saying and the visuals which accompany them, lip-synching.
  • Frequent use of CU - shows the main singer's serious facial expression, allows the audience to get close up to the band.

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