Music Video

Analysis of:

Angel Hazes Battle

Cry
&
Asking Alexandrias
Someone
Somewhere

Angel Haze Battle Cry

(acoustic cover)

Genre:
Before this song was converted and performed as an acoustic track it was originally
a pop song that featured in the charts and included both the singer/songwriter Sia
and Angel Haze. In the original Sia sang the chorus while Angel Haze rapped the
versus. Although in this version of the song the tempo of the song has been slowed,
somewhat calmed and Angel Haze sings all of the lyrics, even the versus, which
were once counted as raps.

Why I Chose to Analyse this

Video:
I chose to analyse this music video because it shows a lot of different and
contrasting camera angles, positions and editing techniques. It also does not follow a
narrative which is contradictory to lyrics presented. Due to the directors use of the
camera and positioning of the artists, it becomes clear that the director wanted the
audience to be focused solely on Angel Haze and the guitarist. The setting behind
them is also quite bland which again allows there to be no distraction from the
audiences point of view.

Sound:
Before the song starts there is a small dialogue in which Angel Haze and the guitar
player count themselves in, this adds to effect that the music and vocals has not
been pre-recorded and then dubbed over the top but is instead being performed
live. This adds an element of authenticity to the music video. Due to the video
being and acoustic track, one of the two main components that the audience can
hear is of course the acoustic guitar. The other main component being Angel Hazes
voice as she sings the lyrics. The sound has been controlled means that neither of
the two components drown the other out, you can hear one just as clearly as the
other. This is very important as there is not much to distract the viewers attention
if one of these factors was incorrect.
In terms of Angel Hazes voice it is soft, delicate even. Although she has to sing
quite quickly at certain points, she never once goes off key and manages to keep
control and stay within her range when the song dictates that she needs to sing
either higher or lower. In terms of the guitar, the same could be said. The guitar
player continually strums his guitar gently, which leads to a softer and smoother
sound.

Camera:
As the music video commences the first camera shot that is used is a cutaway. This allows
the audience to see both artists, it is not quite a two shot as the artists are not centrally
positioned in the framing. It can also be seen, clearly that Angel Haze in in full focus
whereas the guitar player is out of focus. This adds emphasis on the more well-known
individual, the one whom the audience is watching the video to see.
Straight after Angel Haze counts them in the camera angle changes and it switches to a
close up of the guitar as the guitar player is plucking it, again the in and out of focus effect
is used.
When Angel Haze begins to sing the camera angle once again changes but to what could
be described as either a two shot as both artists are in frame or a wide shot as both artists
take up the majority of the frame but can still be seen comfortability, without any
confusion or distortion. The camera angles mentioned previously are the most commonly
used throughout the video with the occasional close up of Artists alongside.

Mise en scene:
The setting that surrounds Angel Haze and the guitarist is a recording studio, which has been kept neat
and tidy, there are no distractions that could threaten to distract the audience. The wall behind them is a
simple red backdrop. The colour red as many connotations, which are of danger, fire, heat, passion and
so on. If it were to be analysed further you could say that colour red is appropriately used in
consideration of the lyrical implications that are presented as the song is supposed to be full of passion
and states ways in which Angel Haze found her motivation and sustenance that lead her to her success.
In terms of props, there are few used in this music video. The props consist of a microphone, guitar and a
couple of chairs. The artists themselves are dressed in quite a contrasting manner. Although both are
dressed casually, it could be argued that the artists would be placed at opposite ends of the scale of
casualness if there were one. Angel Haze is wearing a smart/casual tartan dress and has a reasonable
amount of make up on. Her outfit could be described as suitable for both daytime and night-time use.
Whereas the guitarist is dressed in a scruffier way. His hair is un-styled and slightly wild looking and he is
wearing a simple black top with ripped and faded jeans. This could have been purposely set up so that
the audiences attention remains more so on Angel Haze as she stands out more out of the two due to
her smarter dress sense.

Editing:
This music video follows a linear editing style because although there is no
conclusion in a narrative sense, the editing in between the beginning of the song
and the end is done one cut at a time and was obviously done there and then as it
is a live performance so it is unlikely that the frame sequence was created after the
filming took place. The editing style that the director of this video has used can be
described as simplistic, theres no use of special effects or after effects. One frame
simply cuts to next, changing the camera angle. For example no fades or dissolves
were used to transition from shot to another. Due to their being no visual narrative,
it became unnecessary for the director of this music video to use editing styles
such as continuity editing, which add to the premise of this video being simplistic in
terms of editing.
The only thing that could be said about the editing style of this music style would
be that at times the sequence of shots was edited so that when Angel Haze was
singing either a particularly emotional part of the song or the start of a new verse,
the camera angle would ensure that it was focused either solely or mainly on her,
excluding the other artist.

Forms and Conventions:

In terms of whether this music video follows the stereotypical forms and conventions
of an acoustic music video can be argued both ways. When it comes to the use of
camera angles and editing techniques it can be safely said that the director has
followed forms and conventions. This is due to the fact that there was no use of fast
paced shots and cuts to different scenes and settings. Another way in which Angel
Hazes music video follows stereotypical forms and conventions of an acoustic music
video is through the fact that all of the frames include either Angel Haze or the
guitar player which is a common theme in other acoustic music videos.
One way in which this music video defies the stereotypical forms and conventions of
an acoustic music video is through the lyrical content. By this it is meant that
stereotypically acoustic songs tend to be based upon someones feelings for another
whereas this song is in actual fact about finding the motivation to do well for
yourself in life.

Relatability to Theorists

Andrew Goodwin:
This music video both goes along with and contradicts different codes and conventions stated in Goodwins
theory. A convention that Angel Hazes music video follows would be that particular music video genres have
their own music video style and iconography. This music video follows this convention due to the fact that most
music videos that belong to the acoustic genre are filmed and directed in a recording studio, which this video is.
There can be a high demand for close-ups of the main artist from record companies, the director of this video has
incorporated this code as there are a lot of close-ups of Angel Hazes face and hands throughout the video. Angel
Haze does not knowingly have a prop or item of clothing that could be named as a part of her iconography but
she is known for wearing slightly out there and quirky clothing. The outfit that she wore in this music video was
very similar to the one that she wore in the original music video that she filmed with Sia, which was not acoustic.
The means that it could be argued both ways as to whether the artist follows another code stated by Goodwin.
On the other hand this music video also defied a number of codes and conventions that were stated by Andrew
Goodwin as contributors to his theory. One code that this music video defied could be found in the lack of
relatability between the lyrics and the visuals presented by the director. The lyrics illustrated a picture of a
troubling time in Angel Hazes life that she had to be combatant through in order to get to the current stage of
life she is at. The music video was filmed in a recording studio and without and if nothing could be audibly heard
then the audience would have no clues as to what the song is about.
Although the music that can be heard (from the guitar) could arguably be more relatable to the visual aspect of
the video as you would stereotypically assume that you would see a guitar being played if you can hear it and it
is the sole instrument being played (alongside no other). Another convention that this video disregards, which is
that voyeurism is more common in videos where there is a woman. The main artist is a woman, yet no voyeurism
is used. A final convention that does not apply to this music video would be that intertextual references are used
as there are none in this video. Furthermore, there are no clear links between this video and another or any other
media product (such as films or television texts) apart from the fact that Angel Haze is wearing a similar outfit to
the one that she wore in the original (non-acoustic) music video.

Joan Lynch
Joan Lynchs theory was more focused view on the structure of a music video and
stated that music videos normally fit categorically into one of the three basic
structures, which are performance, narrative or concept. As mentioned before this
music video consists of the recording of Angel Hazes and the guitarists
interpretation of the song Battle Cry. This means that this video would be
categorised as having a performance structure.
The other two structures were not included as they would have been deemed
unnecessary. This is because when the song was originally directed, the director
created a narrative based video, which means that if the director of this video were
to do the same then they would be virtually copying the first one. Due to the fact
that this music video is an acoustic cover, audiences tend to view videos such as this
one as they have an interest in watching the artist performing the song rather than
in special effects or any other features that may be included. Acoustic covers
primarily tend to aspire to focus the viewers attention upon either the artist, lyrics or
both. By following a performance based structure the director of this music video can
argue that they have achieved this.

Jon Gow
Jon Gow identified that there are six central genres that music videos can be
classified as but all of the genres seek to define the music video through the
relationship of the performance displayed. Out of the six centralised genres, this
music video can only categorise itself under one and even then it could be argued
otherwise. The genre that Angel Hazes video fits into would be a performance
documentary. The reasoning behind this is that the entire music video is a
semblance of different camera angles and shots that emphasise the live
performance of both Angel Haze and the guitar musician. Although there is no
evidence surrounding Angel Hazes onstage performance of the song. The other
genres are irrelevant as they state that the music video must include a multitude of
inapplicable features such as, dancers, lip-synching, the use of other visual
elements, the use of special effects or no recording of the artist performing the
song.

How I will apply Factors to my

own Work:
There was an array of different factors that were included in Angel Haze's music video, which I
would like to include in my own music video. The factors come under each of the micro
elements. The elements being; editing, mise-en-scene, sound and camera. In terms of miseen-scene, the director of Angel Haze's music video chose to base it in a recording studio.
Although I will not film all of my music video in a recording, a part of it will be. Furthermore,
another factor to do with mise-en-scene that I would like to pastiche from Angel Haze's music
video is the way she is dressed. Although I do not think it wise to have James dressed in a
dress, I would like to mirror the way that the director has allowed Angel Haze to dress in her
own style. That is why I'm going to have James dressed in clothes that he would wear either
for his heavy metal gigs or everyday life
In reference to camera shots I noticed that a lot of the camera shots included close-ups and
cut-aways. This use of shots meant that the audience's focus was fully on the artist, I want to
replicate this same focus in my own music video. It will also add and element of diversification
when it comes to my use of camera shots in this music video, it will ensure that I do not have
an entire music video made up of one shot and no other. In both this music video and Asking
Alexandria's, the editing style used a smooth, clear and flowing. Its neither sharp nor choppy
or a snails pace and sloppy. Again it allows for the audiences' focus to rest solely upon the
main artist as there is no use of extra effects in the transition between shots for example.

Asking Alexandria
Someone Somewhere
(acoustic cover)

Genre:
Originally this song was a heavy metal/rock song before it was made into an
acoustic track. It was fast moving, dramatic and almost aggressive sounding. By
converting the song into an acoustic the song has been slowed and has a gentle
edge to it. In an emotional sense it has gone from anger provoking to a sadder and
thought instigating track. This acoustic music video is quite a contradiction from its
predecessor.

Why I Chose to Analyse this

Video:
I chose to analyse this music video because it had quite a lot of reliability the music video that I
would like to make. This is because both the song that is going to be converted into and acoustic
and this acoustic video had an original version that would be counted in the heavy metal/rock
genre. Bands such as Asking Alexandria were also the type of bands that James will have been
influenced by as well as those that are similar. Different camera angles and positions have also
been used as in the Angel Haze acoustic video so that the focus is on the artists rather than a
flurry of distracting special effects and extravagant settings, which could distract the audiences
attention.
Although the song is supposed to have a serious meaning, the lead vocalist Danny Worsnop is
still allowed to install and present some of his humour towards the end, which shows a certain
comfortability in the video and allows the audience to relate to this personal touch. If it was
completely serious then the performance may seem a little robotic and dull. It also permits the
audience to see the slightly edgy and out there side of the band that they are so used to seeing
in live performances or their other, non-acoustic music videos.

Sound:
Although this song is not as aggressive as the original in terms of both the vocal
and instrument playing, there is still a slightly rough and ready characteristic to
the bands performance. The lead guitarist, Ben Bruce counts the rhythm guitarist
in with a few taps on the body of his guitar, the guitars then start playing in unison.
The vocalist, Danny Worsnop then begins to sing with a husky and rugged tone.
This means that the music still has a rock style to it.

Camera:
Initially the camera captures what could be described as a mid-shot as not all of the
vocalist in the front is in frame but it is not a close up as all of them can be seen but
not in great detail. As the guitarists begin to strum the camera angle changes to
two successive medium close ups of each guitarist. The guitars are the only thing
that the audience can hear so it makes sense that their attention is drawn to them
but as the vocalist begins to sing introductory lyrics the camera angle switches back
to a mid-shot. Suddenly the angle changes once more as Danny Worsnop (the
singer) begins to sing the first verse.
This solely dedicates the audience attention to Danny and makes it easier for the
viewers to concentrate on what he is saying rather than what may be going on in
the background with the guitarists. Throughout the rest of the video the camera
angles switch and change between the angles previously stated, the close up and
the mid shot being the most commonly used.

Mise en scene:
In terms of how Danny, Cameron and Ben are dressed it is very casual. They are
wearing loose, patterned tops, which is very stereotypical of a male rock band.
Although it may seem un-obvious there is a uniform between the three. Each is
wearing a similar style of top, a hat and black jeans. The way they are dressed
shows the audience that they are a close unit but still have their own individuality.
In terms of their surroundings they are also being filmed in a recording studio but
the set-up is quite different to the Angel Haze music video. The recording studio in
the other music video was quite empty and neatly set up where as there is quite a
lot going on in the background of the framing in this Asking Alexandria video.
Although the background wall is a plain stained wood, theres loads of equipment
and props on the floor. It may cause distraction from the artists it adds the feeling
that it has not been all staged, its more natural and realistic.
There are a multitude of different props that feature in this video, such as, guitars, a
microphone and sound cover, amps, seats and an array of other items that are not
as clear as you can only see the outline of them behind Ben (the guitarist on the
audiences right).

Editing:
This music video was much like Angel Hazes in terms of its simplicity. But the shot
sequence differed in terms of equality of shots. By this it is meant that it felt that
through the majority of the music video all three artists were shown in the shot
sequence. Following on from that the shot sequence was quite abrupt, switching
from one artist to the next. There was no use of transitional features such as fade or
dissolves, just straight cuts from one shot to the next was used. Again, much like
Angel Hazes music video, there was no visual narrative, which meant that editing
styles such as continuity editing was rendered useless and unused.

Forms and Conventions:

One way which this music video follows the stereotypical forms and conventions of
an acoustic music video would be through the fact that it is slow paced in terms of
camera angles, camera motion and use of editing between shots. No matter the
camera angle, the camera does not move, which allows the audiences focus to be
fully on the artist instead of his surroundings.

Relatability to Theorists

Andrew Goodwin:
In terms of Goodwins codes and conventions Asking Alexandrias music video differs significantly to Angel Hazes. It follows more of the
highlighted codes and conventions then it contradicts whereas Angel Hazes video followed and disregarded almost an equal amount of
them. There are five main codes that this video pursues. The first is that this music video does, to a certain extent show a relationship
between the music and visuals although it requires a little bit of out of the box thinking in order to see it. The music is supposed to be
dark and solemn in order to fit with the lyrics, the clothes that the audience can physically see reflects this as they are dominantly dressed
in darker clothing.
Another of Goodwins codes is followed through the colouration of the artists clothing. In regards to the genre of music that the song was
originally written and performed for, which is Heavy metal (or rock), the stereotypical iconography of the said genre is normally shown
through dark clothing, it can almost be confirmed as a uniform and it is very rare that any band that would concern themselves with this
genre would break this mould. Most bands that have tried have either experienced a small amount of success and then failed or just skipped
straight to the end result. A third code that this video supervenes with and adds an element of similarity to Angel Hazes video is the use of
close-ups in order to appease the demands of the record label. An abundance of close-ups of Danny Worsnop feature, which makes sense as
he is the lead vocalist and the main star of the band. He has the largest fan following out of any of the other band members. It is
understandable that a record label would want the video to be focused on him slightly and the use of close-up shots ensures this.
Danny Worsnop may be a fan favourite and it is well-known amongst those fans that he is a big drinker. It has been a common theme
through the years of the band being famous for Danny to have a beer in his hand or a bottle of Jack Daniels. This music video does not
differ from this theme as Danny takes a couple of sips from his beer in the video. This is part of his star iconography. Although it is in a
limited manner there are a few intertextual references in this video, which again can be seen through the clothing that both Danny Worsnop
and Ben Bruce are wearing. Danny is wearing another bands top although it is unclear as to which band as the microphone stand obscures
the audiences view of it. Ben Bruce on the other hand can clearly be seen to be wearing a Guns and Roses vest. Guns and Roses are a
classic rock band and one that a band such as Asking Alexandria idolise.
On the contrary, this music video does challenge some of Andrew Goodwins codes and conventions. One code that this video challenges
would be that there is no link between the lyrics and visuals. The song references having someone out there that cares for you no matter
what among other messages but this contradicts what the audience can physically see as the video has been recorded in a recording studio
and holds no relevance. The artists create a larger wedge between the lyrics and what the audience can see when they begin to joke around
with each other and begin to laugh. This positive atmosphere repudiates the tone of the song. The other convention that is renounced by
this music video can be seen through the lack of voyeurism as there is no use of screens or other instruments that have been recorded while
recording the artists.

Joan Lynch:
Asking Alexandrias Someone, Somewhere director followed the same basic
structural route that Angel Hazes and the directors of other acoustic music videos
have by once again sticking to a performance based music video. The entire music
video is made up of different shots and angles, all focused upon the artists
performing the song. This song differs from Angel Hazes as there was no original
music video, which could have given the director more room to experiment in terms
of whether they wanted to imbed a narrative or conceptualise the video. Instead the
director followed the stereotypical conventions of an acoustic music video by
focussing it solely on the performance, which is understandable as it is a formula
that has been proven to be successful time and time again.

Jon Gow:
When considering this music video with Jon Gows central genres in mind it can be
argued that the only genre that this video applies to is a performance
documentary. This is because this video structure is made up of the recording of
the artists performing the song in a recording studio. This means that video is solely
related to the performing of the song. This excludes the other five genres as there
has been no use of special effects, visual effects, the creation of the music video
was not recorded and there is no point in the video where the artists are not being
recorded as they perform the song.

How I will apply Factors to my

own Work
The main reason for why I chose to analyse this music video is due to the fact that the song has gone
through a similar process to James'. Both songs originated in the heavy metal genre but both have now
either been or are set to be transformed and performed as acoustic tracks. The tempo of both songs is also
similar, slow and gradual, with the occasional increase in speed. In terms of camera use, the director has
mainly used mid shots when focusing upon the different members of the band. Although there is a
noticeable difference in the amount that the camera focuses on the lead artist, Danny Worsnop (the
vocalist).
The shots do vary at different parts of the music video, the mid-shots are exchanged for close ups of the
Danny. This means that Danny is the central focus of this music video. I will attempt to replicate this focus
through the use of mid-shots and close ups although it should in theory be easier for me to do so I am only
including one performer in my video. Even though the band are dressed in their own casual clothing, they
are still following the stereotypical 'uniform' that has been set by their fellow and predeceasing heavy
rockers. They are wearing outfits that they would typically wear when they perform too. This is where my
idea as to what James should wear is a convergence of notes and ideas taken from both Asking
Alexandria's and Angel Haze's music videos. I will have James dressed in clothing, which is both his own
style and stereotypically linked to the genre his music normally belongs to. This way of clothing James
could be seen as intertextuality between genres. Another factor that Asking Alexandria have shown and
that I will use in my own music video is the use of minimal props.
The band have their instruments, microphone included but there's not much else surrounding them that
they use or could be established as a prop. In my music video I will apply the same lacking of prop
overtone. Finally, the editing style that has been used by the director of Asking Alexandria's music video
can be described as quick in tempo but clean. There's no use of fades or any other transitional effects,
ideally I would like to mimic this editing technique, as it may be simple but it is effective.

The End