The music video I have analysed is ‘Numb’ by Linkin Park directed by Mr.Hahn or Joe Hahn; director and DJ for the band Linkin Park. Although the band produce both Nu-metal and alternative rock music, the genre of this particular song is alternative rock. The genre consists of many characteristics such as narrative and performance based videos. It also consists of many low angles shots to portray vulnerability as well as the focus on the troubled protagonist. Unlike this video, some rock music videos portray the performers meeting the protagonist within the video.
In the video, we see both an antagonist and the protagonist. The antagonist is the protagonists is the protagonists mother who pressurises her to be something she isn't.
The relationship between the lyrics and visuals are strong from beginning to end through out the video. The lyrics amplify the visuals of the video through out. At the beginning the lyrics start off with ‘I’m tired of being what you want me to be’ which immediately derives from the theme of ‘pressure’. Before the lyrics commence, the video the first filmed shot visible is a mid shot of the protagonist looking out against a dull grey background. Already we are aware that the lyrics will be based on this character. We can link the title ‘Numb’ to the theme and plot of the music video by looking at the first shot of the video. ‘Can’t you see that you’re smothering me, holding too tightly afraid to lose control?’ The first line of the second verse matches the visuals at the time; the protagonist sitting on the dinner table by herself, whilst her mother has her back turned. This directly matches the lyrics and we are aware that the song is based on the pressures a teenage girl undergoes from every angle of her life.
The music and the visuals also have a strong relationship. The video cuts to the beat through out the music video from the very beginning to the end. The beat is fast paced and many shots in the video are fast paced also. This mainly applies to the fast paced chorus. There are drastic changes where the camera focuses on a shot for not more than 3 seconds for a narrative scene. This goes well with the music as it reflects the pace of the protagonist’s thought process and emotion. For example, the bridge of the song is fast paced where the vocals are stretched to emphasise pain. Here, it contradicts the slow screaming of the lead singer’s vocals as they clash with the fast paced scenes of the protagonist showing emotion again via physical aggression. However, at the beginning which consists of a simple beat and the piano, the introductory shot of the protagonist lasts longer than 3 seconds. When the guitars (instrument that mainly represents rock music) are being played, the shots become fast paced as the volume and layers of instrument build up. This is also the case towards the end of the video where guitars stop and the focus on the protagonist lasts longer than 3 seconds. I have noticed that the music video starts with the same instruments and ends with the same instruments and the protagonist is being focused on; for more than 3 seconds.I have noticed that the music video starts with the same instruments and ends with the same instruments and the protagonist is being focused on; for more than 3 seconds. Furthermore, the solo instrumental parts are illustrated by the video during certain parts of the video to a certain extent. For example at the beginning the amplified piano sound is evident and there is a low angle shot of the band member working with discs to suggest that he is making that sound. The vocals are never solo but, when they vocalled powerfully it suggests emotion and the visuals help show this by using a close up of the lead singer putting power into his voice, adding meaning to every word. (The video is mainly gray which makes us feel grey and feelings of dolor are present within us without even watching the video completely or listening to the music. The lack of colour immedietly links in with the tile of the track 'Numb' as it makes us feel that way.)
There are close ups of the artist and star image motifs are visible but not to a great extent.
The record company is looking to sell the track via the visibility of the band (who were established before making this music video). The artist and band are in a dark Church hall through out the music video where they are performing. They are all wearing casual clothing and printed t-shirts- nothing too exaggerated and associated with a sub-culture. One of the band members is wearing a bandanna (his trademark) and the lead singer has platinum blonde hair and is wearing his glasses which help fans recognize them as a band. They are wearing casual 90's clothing as they are from the 90's. This video doesn't relate to the band's previous videos and contrasts them. In this video, the focus on the band is brief and they aren't seen as performers but more narrators and the main focus is on the protagonist and the story built around her. However, their previous videos such as 'Crawling' & 'In the End' portray the band as a visible group clearly, rather than musicians that are isolated whilst being in the same room. Therefore, in their other videos there is more focus on the band and the video isn't really narrative based but, more performance based focusing on the band.
Previously, motifs such as piercings and earrings are used as well as rebellious hairstyles to suggest the band have their own identity and are unique. However, in this video there is a change of image and the band seem to be out of the spotlight dressing more simply as if they are normal individuals, and their star image isn't focused on as they expect the audience to identify the established band via their unique sound.
There is no reference to the notion of 'looking' through out the video and no sexual connotations are produced amongst the audience either. The protagonist is well dressed as well as the people around her and the theme of the video is detached to sexual display as it is on loneliness and pressure from different groups surrounding her. The band are also wearing black in a dark room to draw attention away from them and focus on the setting and shots of the protagonist. The camera work and costume do not imply sexual display at all and there are no dance shots in the video. There are no other references to looking within the video. I believe these features have been chosen because if there were references to looking within the video we would see the protagonist a someone distant from us. The bands target audience are teenagers and the videos is based on teenagers and what they feel. I believe the director's intention was to allow the teenagers to put themselves in the protagonists shoes and feel like her rather than see her as an image or icon. Using looking techniques such as screens or binoculars would allow us to look at the protagonist from a third person perspective rather than be in her position. Also, if 'looking' techniques had been used for the band we as the audience, would give unnecessary attention to the band and ignore the importance of the narrative.
There are no inter textual references within the video to promote or remind the audience of a TV programme or film. However, there are Biblical references through out the video to suggest that religion may be another form of pressure. Firstly, the performance scene is in a church to subvert the idea of calm prayer in a church. This could suggest rebelliousness. The protagonist comes to the church towards the end of the video where the band perform to create a weak link between the bands involvement in the protagonists life. Secondly, the protagonist is seen drawing a statue of Mary which could also refers to Biblical elements. Lastly, at the beginning of the video there is a whistling sound and shots of old architecture are visible. This could also add to the Biblical elements and how it could either be a pressure or comfort zone for the protagonist when she is lonely. It could also suggest that music is her guideline and form of escape as religion would be for someone else. In addition to this, the protagonist wears dark netted clothing and has jet black straight hair suggesting she could be part of the 'Gothic subculture'. Elements of this sub-culture are heavily based on subversion of Biblical elements.
The music video is both performance and narrative based but mainly narrative based as we more shots of the protagonist especially at the beginning and end. Also, the shots of the band are not heavily focused upon as they blend in with the Mise-en-scene so, it is more narrative based as we are able to pay more attention to the protagonist and the narrative. I think the video is roughly 65% narrative based and 35% performance based.
In conclusion, I have drawn that the video clearly focuses on the target audience and what they want to see very well. The lyrics are from the perspective of the protagonist that we develop a personal relationship with (due to close up shots) and we feel distant from the band at most points of the song. However, when there is evident emotion from the vocals we are able to feel closer to the band and empathize with the protagonist as we see a close up of the lead singer.
We do not pay attention to the band as much as we do to the location that surrounds them adding to the narrative. I think the video worked well, by really representing the themes of the genre well which and made me feel what the protagonist feels via the techniques mentioned above.
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