Music Video Analysis 1- Jake

Genre: Alternative Rock (blending Punk, Funk and traditional Rock)

Type of Video: This video is performance based and it used by the band to show that they are relaxed, fun and can mock themselves.

Concept: The video is "inspired by the one -minute sculptures of Erwin Wurm". This artistic concept is being analysed because the video, despite some clear computerised effects(the camera travelling up the big yellow tube), would be easy (and cheap) to make and would work well with music from the rock genre.

The video features all four band members performing abstract actions. This disjunctured theme seems to have no purpose but to advertise the band who provide an attractive performance and seem to have a relaxed view of music. The director, Mark Romanek, used a colour scheme which revolved around bright colour, in particular orange (the backwash in the performance sequences), and lighting which provided a clean-cut atmosphere which integrates perfectly with the videos theme. The random acts that the band undertake have no clear purpose but because of the entertainment that they provide repeatability is created. Classic rock music rebellion is created in the video in a variety of ways. The guitarist, John Frusciante, has long unkempt hair and while playing guitar throws his body around the stage. Moreover the band is being unconventional because they are doing things that most people would not for example wearing a tent, standing in a bin and running down a deserted corridor with huge lights on your back which would be considered post-modern as they are breaking the rules of society e.g. standing in a bin. This video is also post-modern because the text has no set meaning. The music video plays with an idea and puts it to the music of red hot chili peppers- it is not designed to have a huge political or social impact.

Goodwin and his key features of music videos.

Genre Characteristics: Rebellion motifs stem from the Punk side of the genre. Therefore the bass player (Flea) and guitarist (Fruscante) do a lot of head banging and, while they play, throw themselves around the stage. Anthony Keidis highlights the bands alternative rock roots by dancing in an unconventional fashion which includes weird jumps and arm movements. Rebellion is also shown by Fruscante's long hair and the fact that the band seem to constantly go topless and show their tattoos which could be seen as modern rebellion motifs.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals: although the visuals have nothing to do with the song every five to ten seconds the director will cut to Anthony Keidis lipsinking.

Relationship between music and visuals:

Close-ups and artist motifs: There are a large number of close-ups of Anthony Keidis which show that he is the frontman of the band. He is topless throughout the video (other band members are too but less frequently and noticeably). This is a rebellion motif that the band created when they started to appear on stage naked.

Notion of looking: Because of the weird things that Anthony Keidis does we are draw into watching him. This is also because in many shots he knowingly takes up much of the camera shot, particularly in shots when he is alone. In these instances he leans in towards the camera and creates a CU or ECU. This makes the audience look at the lead singer. Yet there are no shots of Keidis looking at himself which states that Rock is not meant to be appearance but musically lead.

Intertextual references: Clearly there is an artistic reference to "the one- minute sculptures of Erwin Wurm".

Other important points to note.

• The "Meat" of the music video (shots of the singer and band) usually seems to occur during the chorus.
• The "Speed" of the music video has to correspond with the actual song.
• The music video cuts with the "Beat" of the song
• The stage in the video reinforces the band's authenticity