Blog #5 - A look @ Music Videos

Q1. Initial reaction: What are your immediate thoughts and observations when you view the music video?      
         Right in the beginning of the music video, they displayed a quote: "You know that feeling before you go to sleep? Well that's how I'm feeling right now." spoken by their friend Anthony Doobay. When I read the title, 'Sleep', at first i didnt know how the passing of their friend would actually relate to this song. My first initial thought about this music video was that it was a tribute/dedication song to their friend. But as the video went along, I realized the concept of the video changed a bit because of the locations they filmed it at and what they were saying to their audience. 'Pretty cool video.

Q2. Analysis and interpretation: Describe the Principles of Media Arts as they appear in the music video. Why do you think the musician, musical group, or director created this music video? What themes are promoted in this video? Are they aligned with Gospel Values, or do they counter them?
         I think this musical pair created this music video because they not only wanted to pay respect to their friend, but to also say that when we dream, think about where you really want to go. I think the way this music group portrayed this song in the video was good; considering that their focus was on 'dreams' and not on the death of their friend. The location of where they shot the music video, I thought wasn't really relevant to the meaning of the song, but it did relate with some of the lines in the song and it did give the video a nice surrounding and atmosphere to the artist(s). The video was filmed inside Ryerson University, and in some locations in downtown Toronto as well. I think they chose these locations just to promote where they're from and who they are. I personally do not think that the themes set in the video are either aligned with Gospel values nor do they counter them. Though they show that sometimes they fool around and don't pay attention in class, it's because the only thing that's set on their mind is their 'big dream' and what they want to achieve. But what they're really saying is: stop dreaming, and wake up. Know what's real.

Q3. Consideration of cultural context: What events may have influenced the musician, musical group, and director to create this music video?
        Well from the start of this video, they displayed a quote by one of their friends who had passed away. I think the affect of their friend's incident influenced them to create a song/music video about what their friend had said. "You know that feeling before you go to sleep? Well that's how I'm feeling right now." They used the concept of sleep in their friend's case, and kind of changed it to tell other people to go for what you want; and reach for it.

Q4. Expression of aesthetic judgment: How does the cinematography, acting and performance, choreography, storyline, special effects, lyrics, and musicality work together in the music video? How do the visuals affect your admiration or disdain for the song?
        I would say that the visuals of this video are appropriate for the song. It may not have a full relation to the meaning of what the song interprets but I think the storyline was good as it followed the lines of the song. The choreography, acting and performance were set to fit and make the artist feel the way they should perform it and I also think that things in the video like the lighting, the time of day, and props they used were relevant to the artists themselves. Paper airplanes were the main prop used and promoted in this music video because of the music duo's name, "The Airplane Boys".

Q5. Ongoing reflection: How has your chosen music video influenced your reception of the song?
       I think my chosen music video has influenced my reception of the song because in the end, I realized that a music video is made to promote a song and show how the artist(s) wants to show it. The Airplane Boys kept true to how they perform and in the video, they just wanted to do what they usually do. In relation to the song, the cinematography did benefit the concept of the song; but what I really thought that the song itself was a project made, in respect for their friend. In turn, the music video was made just how the director/ & artists wanted it, which is what I respect the artist for - for doing what they want and being themselves, and not how others think or want it.