Music Video Analyses

UNFINISHED SYMPATHY

The song 'unfinished sympathy' is trying to tell the audience that anyone from the streets can become successful. They portray this through their band members being featured in the video who are seen doing everyday activities on the street. Daddy G and his son are seen walking down the street, 3D is shown at the phone box and then Mushroom is seen pushing a trolley. The song lyrics mention curiosity which could reflect the curiosity that the public had about their music because the band were fairly new to the public. The band members seem down to earth because they're integrating with everyday people on the streets, making them more likeable by the public. 

The filmmaker has used a tracking shot on Shara Nelson walking through the streets, singing towards the camera as though we are in a conversation with her. This style of filming provides a more personal approach to the song, emphasising the fact that the band members are closely connected to their audience. This is also reflected in the song lyrics as they mention wanting to get close with someone and learn about them. There is a sense of desperation coming from the band members as most elements in the video are fast paced.The camera is constantly moving, as well as the people therefore nothing comes to a halt until the end of the video. Shara uses powerful facial expressions when singing the lyrics of the song, giving us the impression that the band members are passionate and serious about making music. This would appear attractive to the audience. It also creates a sense that there is a meaning to their music, making the band more admirable. Shara is represented as a desperate individual which reflects the streets that they're walking through, creating a powerful message to the audience. This is also shown through her walking supposedly towards something, as though she is wanting to get to where she wants to be in life.

The fast paced, lively instruments that play in the song link well with the lively atmosphere on the street as a lot is going on. The audience would get the pleasure of watching all the action that takes place in the video. this would keep them hooked and not bored. Fans of the artists would enjoy watching the band members feature in the video as ordinary people on the streets because it would make them feel as though they can closely relate to them. The street has been used in the video to reflect street culture. The artists are attempting to celebrate the diversity and difference of people in society.

TITANIUM

The name of the song is called 'Titanium,' which is a very strong metal that takes a lot of force and effort to penetrate. This song is using titanium as a metaphor to describe how mentally strong the boy is. The reason for using a young boy is because he looks vulnerable compared to the adults, and to raise issues on bullying, which is the reason for the school location at the beginning of the video. The lyrics are sending us a message to be strong and not let anyone bring us down. Therefore the song is generally about finding strength within yourself. 

The boy is represented as a vulnerable child, but proves to be more powerful than expected to connote the message that appearance doesn't matter. The police on the other hand are stereotypically thought of as a good part of society and having a strong position, but they are represented as the antagonists in this video and lose to the boy's powers in the end. This is a metaphor to suggest that even the most powerful forces cannot bring you down. The high pitched vocals by Sia works well with he visuals of the young boy because it reflects innocence and youth. This contrasts with Sia's and David Guetta's ages because they are both middle-aged adults.

The artists themselves have not been featured in the videos therefore they have been represented differently to most other pop stars' music videos. Considering the song is about bullying and gaining the power to overcome it, they have been represented as caring and empowering people who want to help those going through difficult times. The artists are speaking out to bullies through their song lyrics. 

Rapid editing and handheld and fast camera movement suit the tempo and the genre, where a variety of camera shots are also used to make the video interesting. The video uses modern techniques like these compared to little movement, simple shots and slower editing used in old music videos, which suits pop as it is a fresh, punchy and a popular genre. Music's main target group is young people, so a lot of energy and pace is created in music today to compliment youthful energy. Lastly, just like pop, the music builds up in the chorus to make it the most memorable part of the song.

Despite being part of a dance genre, there is no dancing in the video. Instead, the editing and movement of actors in the video fit with the rhythm and tempo. For example, when the boy is in the woods, the beat comes in when he starts running to express his heartbeat going fast as the police have found him. Near the beginning, the boy walks slowly when the music is at it's calmest. However, when the boy sees a teacher calling the police on him, he realises he is in trouble, so he starts to move fast where the music builds to match his movement and anxiety. As well as the actor's movement, editing matches the pace of the music.

Some elements of the music video reflect the 80's as there is an old police car used and the television that is featured closely resembles one that people would have been familiar with in the 1980's. The music video also has similarities to some of Steven Spielberg's films. In the 1980s Spielberg returned to the science fiction genre with his film 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'. It was the story of a young boy and the alien he befriends, who was accidentally left behind by his companions and is attempting to return home. This clearly links with the boy that is featured in David Guetta's music video, as he is seen as different by bully and also is familiar with the supernatural.