The video begins with a close up of a females face. The focus then changes due to a cut. A masked scarecrow is then revealed. This in itself is very unique and abstract. The female then goes on to follow the abstract scarecrow type figure through a number of back-alleys. This is very fitting to the songs title of ‘Follow’, and could almost be seen as narrative. Throughout all of the scenes, the technique of stop-motion is used. Along this set path, a number of other abstract objects and people are introduced. Including an elderly man, having tea. Facial features such as lip colour often change as a result of stop motion on the females face. This technique is also used in order to change the colour of the elderly mans socks, as well as various items of clothing on the scarecrow type figure. An additional elderly man is then shown dancing whilst both his shorts and sunglasses change colour due to the stop motion effect.
There are very few narrative elements to this video, however the content strictly follows the song title of ‘follow’. I believe that the video lacks in narrative due to the nature of the song itself. The video challenges various forms and conventions, due to its unique and mysterious content. I.e. the elderly man drinking tea and a masked scarecrow. The relationship between sound and image is pretty simple. The up beat tempo and pace of the song matches the pace and tempo of the video.
During this video it is clear that the director has intended to use many different techniques of editing. An Eye-Line Matching shot is used at 0.40. By incorporating this into the video, the audience see the scarecrow from the artists point of view.
Continuity editing also features heavily in this music video and gives the video a sense of time. Moving onto the mise-en scene featured, there are loads of different costumes and props being used in order to create this video. The use of colour being one of the most obvious features of mise-en scene within the video. Vibrant and constantly changing colours are used in the video as a result of the stop-motion effect. The effects of artificial lighting can be seen at 2.01. Due to the lighting, only the actors mouths can be seen along with the actor in the middles chest. I believe that this focuses on the particular actor and draw attention to the clothes he is wearing. This particular actor is also a musician in Crystal Fighters. Therefore I believe this is why the focus has be directed upon him.
It is possible that the two elderly men featured in this video are features of Iconography. I believe that this could be case as they both evoke a feeling or atmosphere of difference between the two individuals. One man appears to be conforming to the stereotype of an elderly person by drinking tea whilst reading a book. On the other hand, the other elderly man is exercising whilst wearing sunglasses.
Camera movement does not feature much at all within this video, instead the camera appears to be mounted still at all times. In contrast are the variety of camera shots used. Extreme close ups enable the focus to be directed upon the artist. An example of this can be seen at 1.32.
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