A Further Look into Music Videos - Similar Aesthetics

Take On Me - Weezer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7RwDnZI7Tw

The music video for Weezer's cover of "Take on Me" is a good example of using intertextual references to create meaning for an audience. The use of video cameras and other props, as well as the use of filming locations, gives audiences the impression that this was set in the past, further providing a nostalgic feeling. Despite the cover of this song being released in 2019, the way the music video tells us this was set in the mid-1980s.

This music video follows a young Rivers Cuomo (lead singer of Weezer) performing a cover of aha!'s "Take on Me". It is accompanied by the iconic transition to comic book rotoscoping that is mimicked in this music video. This young Rivers accompanies his bandmates in playing inside the house (as loud as they want) whilst simultaneously recording a music video on an old camcorder. 

This video encompasses a lot of aspects I strive to use in my music video. The different camera shots, including medium close-up, medium-long shots, and tilted frames. The use of switching between different camera types as well as the environment that they're playing in is aesthetic and adheres to the narrative I want to use, as it would appeal to my aspirer audience. The nostalgic feeling of the video paired with the shot types being very personal and close, as if we're actually watching the band play allows us to feel a closer connection to the band.

Tally Hall - Good Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGQZItOMz6k

Tally Hall's "Good Day" music video uses clever video editing showcasing masses of different screens including TV, laptop and video game consoles displaying the music video. Throughout the video, the channels are changed with different infomercials, television shows and adverts that include all of the band members in some way. Intertextual references to cartoons, films and television shows all appear on the different screens. Being a more comedic video, Tally Hall still managed to appeal to a very wide audience with this video.

Audiences of the time would easily recognise different settings that most people in the early 2000's would have visited. A staple setting of Tv's appearing in break rooms, living rooms, bowling alleys and even cinemas, as well as hand held consoles. A stable shot perfectly lines up every screen together with very minimal change allowing a consisitent video to be played. Tom Waits, pro wrestlers, fitness instructors, Bob Ross, the Brady Bunch, the 80s show Cops, This Old House, Girls Gone Wild, Baywatch, Saved By The Bell, are some of easter eggs included in the video.

To make this video even more impressive, the video was simply cut and pasted together perfectly in time with very minimal use of editing equipment. For a music video that was released in 2010, from a band who would be considered indie, this is very impressive. It definetly fits the aesthetic of madness and wacky, much like The Beatles - who largely inspired Tally Hall's music.

Eighth Wonder - Lemon Demon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyzQ-ZFSQic

Lemon Demon's Eighth wonder tells the folklore story of a small talking mongoose named Gef. The album "Spirit Phone" that it originates from has an overarching theme of paranormal events. This video was released in 2009, 7 years before the album was releasaed. The video is imitates stop motion, displaying cards with written lyrics on them. The camera advances to the beat of the music, and the entire video takes place in a dimly lit woodscape

Despite the music video being strange, the camera angle positions audiences to feel as though they are crawling through the woods, looking for this creature. The producer, filmographer and songwriter; Neil Cicierega has often been known for outlandish film projects, so this video definetly stays on brand for him. The main aspect i wish to incorporate is the use of transition and angle to fit specific beats. There are times within the song where the tempo will slow or speed up, but images or video will perfectly sync with the song. The reveal of the mongoose and snake statue is shown in this way, heightneing audiences reaction.