Music Video Analysis: BTS (Narrative)
This is a continuation of my Artist Focus for BTS. I decided to analyse their Narrative videos also as we have decided to create a Narrative music video for our final piece. As we want to tell a story, I have decided to look further into BTS' Narrative videos, since they effectively send out a message and follow a continuous plot.
Run
This video is effective as it uses juxtaposition to represent the differences in people. Scenes of a party and the members having fun are contrasted with others of them fighting or running away. This concept is significant as it helps to suggest the idea that people can put on a front and act in a certain way, yet in reality they feel the opposite. Close up shots are used to show expression and emotion within the members' faces.
Each member is positioned centrally only when they are in the shot on their own, suggesting ideas of them feeling isolated and alone. Their positioning helps to remind us of that there is nothing around them, which can be seen by the audience in the two outside thirds of the shot.
The Mise en Scene of this video is also effective: despite the numerous costume changes, the artists themselves wear typically casual and fashionable clothing, which helps the audience to remember that the characters the members play are very similar to them. They lead seemingly normal lives and could be anyone the audience may encounter. There is nothing "special" about them, therefore their costume is casual and doesn't necessarily make them stand out. This is a key role in making the video effective, as it means the audience may feel they can relate to the members.
Slow motion editing is used in parts of the video to create something visually entertaining. Though some may argue that the slow motion could be representative of the existence of time and being "lost in the moment", it adds something new and unique to the narrative. There are also transitions used throughout the video to show references to the past which parallel the present, for example the two characters who were running from the police for doing graffiti matched the games they played at the party.
Blood, Sweat and Tears (Japanese Edition)
This music video uses visual effects and lighting to create meaning behind the Narrative. It focuses on the idea of intoxication and the effects of it. Bright lighting and vibrant colourings (added in the Editing) work to present this to the audience and how it can feel overwhelming and almost painful to the eye. Furthermore, rotating shots are used to make the audience feel a similar way to the characters; it arguably adds a sense of interest to the video and interaction. The audience are given a sense of the mind of the characters, which makes the video more understandable and enticing.
The use of Arial shots creates the sense of feeling small and far away. It sends out the message of how the characters are feeling in the story.
A number of Close Up shots are used to show expressions and reactions, which helps to keep the audience in understanding of what the story is making the characters feel.
It can be said that the costume plays little of a role in this video, with Editing having power over everything else. Despite this, it can be said that the casual yet fashionable style clothing the characters are wearing reflects the idea that they are just normal people that may give the audience a sense of relativity.
The use of Editing adds creativity and entertainment to the video. It attempts to get a surprised and intrigued reaction from its viewers and also represents something different to other Narrative videos. Most videos that tell a story are very plainly edited and don't overpower the story or the shots used to create it, however this video effectively creates the story and figuratively makes it more understandable for the audience.
I Need U
This music video is a prequel to that of "Run". It incorporates Performance with Narrative to help express the story even further. The use of performance helps to keep the audience interested in the lyrics and what message they are portraying. The use of camera plays a big role in the effectiveness of this music video, especially Close-Up shots.
These are used to present expressions and how they change throughout the duration of the video.
The lighting changes with each character's individual scenes; some are more High-Key and harsh to present ideas of intoxication and the effects it has on an individual.
Others are Low-Key and suggest mystery and darkness. The situation the characters are in is dark and this is presented to the audience through the lighting: it helps to keep them understanding and aware of how the characters are feeling. The use of Mise En Scene is used as effectively as in "Run", with the casual clothing of the characters creating a sense of realism and relatability for the audience and to remind them of the characters' innocence. It helps to make the situations the characters are in more tragic, as the clothing could suggest how it could happen to anyone.
