In terms of the cinematography, I feel that this group have used a wide range of different camera shots and angles. I denote an establishing shot being used at the beginning of the music video. However, the unusual thing about this establishing shot is that the camera is moving and it has been shot at a high angle (from a helicopter). This is effective because it shows the audiences the broader scenery in which the music video has been filmed. The audience may be familiar with the scenery and may feel enticed to watch it. I also denote quite a lot of close up shots being used throughout the music video. This is effective because the song is quite a slow and sorrowful noir song designed to evoke deep emotion from the audience.
The close ups used allow us to see the artists face in detail so that we can clearly see how he is feeling through his facial expressions. At 0:47, we can clearly see through the artists facial expressions that he is confused and somewhat upset, which may be something that the audience may feel that they can emphasize with. A low angle shot has also been used, which subverted to my expectations when watching the music video, because low angle shots usually connote superiority and dominance, where as the artist in the music video appears to be vulnerable and helpless. The camera is constantly on the artist which connotes that he is dominant in the sense that the audience are supposed to stay focused on him, rather than anything else.
Regarding the editing techniques and technical aspects of the music video, I feel that the group have included a number of visual effects to keep the viewers engaged with the music video. They have followed the typical conventions of a music video by ensuring that the visuals are synchronized with the audio. An example of the visuals matching the audio can be seen at 1:53, where continuity editing is used to show the audience a progression of events, in this case the artist walking towards the guitar. The clip is cut and the group have appeared to leave out fragments of the footage of the artist walking, to make it seem like he is moving instantaneously. The group who made this music video have cleverly edited the visuals so that the clip of the artist walking cuts every time the drum is hit in the audio.
The pace of the editing in the video is quite fast and transitions are frequently used throughout the majority of the music video. This subverted to my expectations of the pace of the visuals, as I thought that the music video would have been edited at quite a slow pace to match the noir song. This is evident at 0:20, where the screen flashes to introduce the artist. The jump cuts are consistently used between scenes, aided by flashing effects which create a sense of disequilibrium and confusion. This is effective because it relates to the mans mental and emotional state. The jump cuts are also used to show the viewers that time has passed since the previous scene.
I feel that the Mise en scene, in particularly the location of the music video, helps to convey the dark and sorrowful feeling created by the audio. The music video is set in Battersea power station, which could probably be identified by the majority of people living in and out of London. The power station is an appropriate location to use for a noir song because the inside of the power station is quite dark as shown at 2:52 when the man is walking around inside. The only light source available is from the natural high key lighting outside, which is shining through entrances of the power station. The walls on the interior of the power station look blemished and murky, and the floor is filthy and exposed. This is effective because it creates a sense of insecurity and isolation, but at the same time, doesn't make the viewers feel threatened. It relates to the genre of the music which is indie rock/alternative country.
Overall, I feel that the group have successfully followed the typical conventions of a music video, and have used the micro aspects effectively to produce a professional looking music video.
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