Serj Tankian- Harakiri

Serj Tankian- Harakiri

This video is alternative rock however the video is a little different from what you would stereo-typically expect from a rock music video because his music video is all about making a stand and saying a message. I have chosen to continue to look at this video however because there are certain elements that make the video enjoyable to watch and interesting and educational all at the same time.

How goodwins Theory applies to this music video

because of the nature and meaning behind this music video finding a theory to apply to it is difficult however there are some elements of the video that can still be related to goodwins theory. For example There are obvious direct links between his lyrics and his visuals as he sings about 'the black birds they fall from the sky' to then show an image of a dead blackbird however he also shows the facts this one being that on new years eve 2011, 4500 black birds died. Good wins theory can also be applied because even though there isnt really a 'story' being shown theres still footage used and the video cuts from scenes of the footage to the singer and this is demand of label so the artist is represented for the audience to look at and enjoy watching.

Mise en scene: The setting where the artist is placed is an abandoned house in the middle of a desert. The fact that he is place in an abandoned house with graffiti on the walls creates an immediate recognizable scene for veiwers as this is a popular used setting for alternative rock band music videos for example the 30 Seconds To Mars video and the Linkin Park video both used abandoned warehouse r just house in general and the Linkin Park video also included graffiti on the walls. The video mainly consists of added footage to go with the facts he is singing about this is to aid visualization for the veiwers and to help them make the direct link and concentrate on what the artist is trying to say. We also see that the music video with the artist involved is all black and white until near the end of the music video. This could be him coming into the light and standing up an speaking about what he believes in and that he wants to be seen as an individual and an inspiration.

 

Camera Angles and movement: Alot of close ups are used on the artist himself this is to make him a focus point and also allows veiwers to see the extent of his emotion when he sings his song. This is also to make him look visually attractive to his audience as we can see the whole of his face. A lot of low angles are used aswell throughout the music video so we seem to be looking up to him. This also makes him look powerful and intimidating as he sings about all the problems in the world and challenges the government. There is slight camera movement in the video as rolling shots i think this is to make his lyrics and music seem more chaotic and this helps grab viewers attention more to concentrate on what he is singing about.

Editing:  The obvious editing would be all the different video clips used within the music video. He has used these clips so he can visually shows all the problems he is speaking about to make it more understandable and make his lyrics more relevant to his video. Another piece of editing is with all the birds falling down in a circular motion. This will all be computer generated but helps the audience have a main focus point of where the sun is and this also looks visually attractive in a cruel way. Has also included the facts to be written up with his clips about what he is singing about. He has also included a quote to further support the beliefs he is singing about and i think this is very powerful and useful as he is suggesting he is not the only one who thinks we needs change ' Man is fully responsible for his natures and his choices'- Jean-Paul Sartre. There is a scene where we see a bucket full of bullets and the birds falling and then a cyclone. These images are all circular and it creates an attractive visual pattern within his video and allows the viewers to focus on the center and also proves his point of how all problems are related in the smallest of ways.