The Script- If You Could See Me Now: Analysis
- 1. The Script- If You Could See Me Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGlkwKA-t_4
- 2. About them • Consists of three members: oDanny O’Donoghue (vocals and piano) oMark Sheehan (vocals and guitar) oGlen Power (vocals and drums • They are from Ireland, and are currently promoting their fourth album “No Sound Without Silence” • Their genre can be defined as mainly pop and indie with some acoustic elements.
- 3. This instantly breaks the stereotype for The Script. They are deemed by most to be a ‘family friendly’ band, and can be listened to by all ages. The ‘Parental Advisory’ context warning therefore makes an instant impact on the viewer. In my opinion the video is not explicit at all, and looking at the lyrics, there is only one line that contains a swear word- not as explicit as other artists in the industry. Therefore I believe that this was mainly used for effect, rather than an actual warning. It does not fade onto the screen, it just appears- the lack of effect used displays their urgency for the audience to see this message. Staying on for five seconds, it then fades away- easing the audience into the music video. No music is playing at this point-further highlighting its importance.
- 4. Andrew Goodwin’s comment on relationship between music and visuals is displayed here. The close up shot of the back of a piano, showing how it works when you press the keys interlinks every part of the video (music, lyrics, and the visuals). The song shows a vulnerable side to the singers as it is about bereavement, and just like the piano, their inner working is exposed. The filter used here highlights how white and pure the piano keys are, and draws even more attention to the fact that they are playing in time with the soundtrack- introducing it as a performance video. As the camera lingers on the piano, it shakes and moves slightly up- almost as if it was filmed using a handheld camera.
- 5. The camera pans down one of the singers, starting at the shoulders and stopping at his hands where he is twisting his cross necklace. Immediately the audience notices that this shot is in black and white- a filter used for dramatic effect, and is usually used to emphasise emotion. The cross around his necklace is a symbol used in Christianity- implying that there will be some element of faith or inner strength mentioned in the video. He is wearing a white t-shirt, and has a white background behind him: connoting purity and innocence. It also makes his necklaces stand out, therefore making him appear to be less important in this shot.
- 6. There is a huge contrast between the use of colour; straight after all three members are shown in their own shot, there is a shot in colour- whether it be a wide shot of a city or town from the point of view of a passenger, or returning to the piano sequence. All of the colour shots connote busyness and that life is still progressing- even through moments of tragedy. It is also trying to offer a happier perspective on something- a blue filter is used here, a colour usually associated with happiness and bliss. None of them instantly look directly into the camera- they always look down, and then into the camera; almost as if they can’t face what they are singing about, that it has such an effect on them.
- 7. Just before the singing starts, there is a light three beats for two seconds, and during that time they fit four differing shots in. The first two are in colour, and the final two are in black and white. This can be used to indicate the hyperbole in the song: it starts mellow, the tempo increases, and it slows down towards the end. Just like the previous shots, the ones of the band are in black and white- further reinforcing the expectation that this will be an emotional video. The first black and white one is a close up shot- you can clearly see emotion through how he doesn’t look at the camera. The second black and white shot is a medium shot, where you can also see his instrument- he is beating the drums just as it does in the soundtrack, further adding to the assumption that it is a performance video.
- 8. The blue lighting at the concert is further continuity from the previous colour shots. This is a wide one, and it is showing the band from the point of view of a concert attendee: a fan. The black silhouette of spectators frames the bottom of the shot- almost as if the band are framed and moulded by them: further increasing the connection between fans and the band. It also further reinforces that it is a performance video. This shot contains the band, and it is the first time we see them in colour- almost as if they are only happy when they are performing for their fans.
- 9. Throughout this video, this is the most obvious and relate the link between the lyrics and the visuals. You can literally see his tattoo on his arm, and through him stroking it, the viewer is able to gauge some of his emotion-like he is checking his armour is still there. Again, it is in black and white- further adding to the emotion. The accompanying shots further add to this emotive sequence, and the use of angle shots show that no matter what way they approach this, it is emotional. The black and white Tattooed on my arm is a charm to disarm all the harm Gotta keep myself calm but the truth is you're gone
- 10. The times the shots are in colour, are when they are interacting and performing with fans; therefore throughout the emotional parts previously, the only happiness displayed is that is connoted through the use of this colour. The second mid shot of fans is blurred, almost as if the band are unable to comprehend how many people are supporting them, and that it is simply a dream. They are paying homage to their fans-without which they would not be successful, and living their dream.
- 11. This eye level shot gives the viewer the impression that they are sitting alongside Danny through an emotional part of the song. We know it is emotional through the use of the black and white effect, and how that is combined with the lyrics. Through the use of lighting from the window in the background, a silhouette is created- making the shot more dramatic and further highlighting his emotion.
- 12. This low angle shot is giving the viewer a ‘sneak peek’ backstage at the concert of The Script walking to the stage ready to perform. Unlike the usual use of this shot, it is only for a brief second, and they stay relatively the same size, not increasing by much. It is not used for egotistical purposes, simply to show their lack of arrogance about their obvious success: overconfidence is not part of their message as a band, so if they broke this usual expectation it would be a shock to the audience.
- 13. The whole message of the song ‘If You Could See Me Now’ is rounded up and closed in the final seconds of the video. All of it is in colour, and a variety of shots are used to show their success. The low angle shot of the main singer admiring the success of the band gives the viewer the impression that he is looking out to the audience in awe of his success, and relief that the troubles undergone has all paid off. The closing shot is an extreme wide high angle shot- showing how many people they are performing to.