Wednesday 1 September 2010

Analysis Of Pop Videos: Johnny Cash - Hurt





Cinematograhy


Their is a clear mix between shot that move and shot that are still in this video. The shots that are still are ones that were shot for this video and show Johnny Cash at the time that this video was shot. The shot were the camera moves are old clips of Johnny when he was young and in his prime as a successful country and western singer. This coupled with the music gives the video a sombre tone and makes Johnny seem a shadow of his former self. we also see pictures of his wife June Carter-Cash who passed away before this video was made and this video seen to reflect the sadness in Johnny's heart. Their are also still shots of the scenery around Johnny which are tthings like a feast and statues of jesus on the cross. This adds to the sadness and furthers the belief that Johnny is a fallen hero.


Editing

Most of the time the next shot comes just before or just after the main beat of the bar. This works very well because it gives more impact to the sombre nature of the video. The addition of old footage of Johnny in his prime as the song builds up make this video truly moving. The footage of him in his prime let us compare him now when he's old and grey to when he was at his most famous which makes this video even more sad as we can see and her the toll time and age has taken on him.


Sound

The music is one of the most powerful parts of this video. The music is what gives all the imagery meaning. Johnnys voice is not as powerful as it used to be and so he singings in a droning almost monotone style and this coupled with his clear pain filled lyrics make this performance a particularly emotional one. Also when we see him lip syncing he does it looking like he is in great emotional pain giving this video even more power and meaning.

Mise En Scene

He is still wearing his black suit which is one of his more famous attributes. In the scenes where we seem his at the time of this video all the things in the background look ages and part of out dated fashions which creates the feeling that this is a lonley old man who is reminiscing about the mistakes he has made.


The real time footage of Johnny shows him in a old house with lots of christian images around like a statue of Jesus and a feast on which Johnny poars red wine over. Also most of the clips of Johnny are black and white or bad quality showing how old they and how old he is.

2 comments:

  1. Great song! Some good attention to detail here Sam. You should make more of your knowledge of music as you do with the observation about when the shots cut which is good. Talk about key changes or the crescendo? and the quickening of the cuts.

    Notice the lighting (Cinematography or Mise en Scene) - does it seem like the sun is setting behind him as he's at the piano? What could the connotations of this be?

    Ok, also I wouldn't call Jonny Cash pop. But some good analysis never the less.

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