Music Video Research - Scars

Music Video Research

Artist: James Bay

Track: Scars

Director(s): Benno Nelson and Nils d'Aulaire

Camera/Editing:

Initially, the video started off in a black and white filter which was suitable for the tragic song type. It was hard to see the artists face, which added to the stylistic quality which could suggest how he was hiding his emotions before expressing himself through the song. Large close ups where used at the beginning, as James performed to the camera making it look interesting and almost secretive, as he reveals his thoughts. Quick cuts used as the pace of the song speeds up, making the visuals match the sound. Switches into colour, leaving behind the black and white filter and this is fitting with the song lyrics.

Narrative:

The story behind this video seems quite basic. He is alone in a warehouse playing his guitar singing about the person he loves. However, the video is unusual, in the way we never see who he is singing about and he stays in the same location throughout. This could then suggest the potential problems with the relationship, for example it could depict how he is more focused and career driven. Alternatively, the video may suggest that he is in fact lost without his partner and trying to find himself again. The use of colour in the editing may reinforce this point, of being lost (when it’s black and white) before finding himself (when it transitions into colour)

Conventional/Unconventional:

Aspects of both within the music video:

Conventional –

Performance from the artist to the camera throughout

Band appearing backing up the singer

Unconventional –

Just the artist and band in the video

Stays in the same location

What Works:

The use of editing, using black and white – can see the singer’s progression and the development of the story by this effect. By just having the artist in the music video, it is precise and focused, whilst breaking the audience’s expectations of not using actors to act out the lyrics.