Rubber Johnny
Rubber Johnny is a six-minute experimental short film and music video directed by Chris Cunningham in 2005, using music composed by Aphex Twin.
Even though this isn't an official music video, it is a great piece of work. The theme is really important, and the way the visuals relate to the audience is also relevant to discuss. I believe the abiltiy to create a sense of hysteria amongst the audience shows how successful a piece of visual art is, and even though it isn't the easiest thing to watch, it is probably more interesting than a typical RnB video... ofcourse I am being biased, because I like the video and I think it represents an element of mankind which we hardly ever see being portrayed in the media- and that is people with deformities, physical disabilities. Having said that, I can understand how someone may argue "But this isn't representing people with deformities/physical disabilities in a positive way" (which is what my friend just said as we were both watching the video). I agree with her in some ways, and this is because I think it exposes this type image to a somewhat, ignorant audience who by the use of dark dramatic effect and sepia lighting, is almost forced to first be quite scared or even disgusted when confronted with "Rubber Johnny" for the first time.
Showing visually or in any other media form, images which are perceived as "different" can shock people because we are confined to the "normal" people in our media- from attractive TV hosts, to models and cute kids in christmas adverts- its ridiculous that the media seem to completely eliminate any form of disability/skin defect/wheelchair user from our music videos, films, newspapers, news programmes... the list goes on.
The truth is, the media is scared to show people like that. I dont necessarily think that all writers and TV executives or whatever are all complete idiots, but they exist in a world that is (at the moment...) ruled by the aesthetic beauty of anything and everything.
Then you get Chris Cunningham who gives us "Rubber Johnny", and we don't know what to think. We are like babies again, not able to decide what we think or feel about it. But I think it is such a interesting and brave and fun thing to do. And moreover, it toys with the audience and this is what I find most appealing. The way he constructs this represention of a type of person and makes us choose, lets us make up our own minds and gives us something to think about, like "Why have I never seen anything like this before?" or "Do people really look like that"... etc etc
In conclusion, any visual art form (like the "Rubber Johnny" music video) that can make the audience question their media intake, struggle for an opinion on it and challenge eachothers perceptions, rather than being passive lumps on a sofa infront of screen, defines the word "success" for me.
Vampire Weekend- Oxford Comma
This music video by the vampire weekend is a good example of continuity editing. I really admire the time and effort it must take to produce a video in just one shot.
I also like how they've tried to give it a narrative starting with "Chapter One", because it makes the audience feel as though they need to pay attention, maybe to try and understand it.
It's been organised very well, its not just improvised. When they get out of the car, they all know which directions to go, and they go swiftly to keep with the pace of the music. The camera is tracking, and moving slightly to keep the main performer in shot. I think the performance shots in the video is also really good because the main singer looks relax and laid back, which makes the whole video look effortless and it is watchable. There is a nice pace, whereby three camera/journalist people kind of rush into shot then fall out of the shot. This makes the whole shot flow well and makes the progression of the events seem natural.
There is the element of randomness again as this Indie band "Vampire Weekend", are known for having interesting and concept driven music videos, like many other music videos in this genre.
The random scene (one of them), is when the man who gives the main singer his guitar gets shot and falls down. This performance is nicely acted out, and remains in the theme of a laid-back movement which doesn't take away or destruct the tempo of the visuals.
The setting of the music video is in a field and there are some animals wondering around. This reinforces the natural reality of the setting and then the intervention of the camera crew also walking around.
There are a mixture of shots, even though the whole thing is one shot. Towards the end there is a medium shot of the singer as he makes his way to his car, but is facing the camera.
Another video which uses continuity editing effectively is
"Open your eyes" by Snow Patrol...
When you watch the video, it feels realistic, like your strapped onto the front of the car or something.
The car seems to get faster as the tempo of the song increases around 3:11 and onwards.
The car keeps driving into pigeons, and its quite cool how they fly around and over the car (none of them get hurt).. but little details like that enable the audience to believe in the video and the situation.
I think this is narrative driven because at the end you see a guy getting out of the car and meeting this girl, like he was racing to get there. I don't think it has a concept as such. But I guess it is performance based as well, because of the driver.
I like this video, its a very simple idea but is effective because of the song choice it is put with and the location it is filmed in.
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