Losing My Religion by R.E.M is a very well known pop/rock song. The music video is a narrative video, however, it also has the lead singer (Michael Stipe) lip syncing the lyrics. From the title 'losing my religion' it is already expected that the music video will have religious imagery or religious references.
Camera shots.
A variety of different camera shots are used throughout the music video. A long shot is used at the start of the video to show the setting of the video and the singer - who is presented as being the leader of the band and the most important member. An extreme close up is used to show someone massaging the singers shoulders. This connotes that the he is stressed or worried about something. Therefore, this makes the viewers want to know why. The most likely reason for this could be that he loves someone, who does love him back. This would suit the lyrics in the song. For example - "the lengths that I will go to, the distance in your eyes..." This could mean that he goes to extreme lengths to try and impress his lover, however, she is distant and does not feel the same way for him. There also shots of the singer standing with white wings behind him. This also connotes religion, as they make him seem like an Angel.
Camera shots.
A variety of different camera shots are used throughout the music video. A long shot is used at the start of the video to show the setting of the video and the singer - who is presented as being the leader of the band and the most important member. An extreme close up is used to show someone massaging the singers shoulders. This connotes that the he is stressed or worried about something. Therefore, this makes the viewers want to know why. The most likely reason for this could be that he loves someone, who does love him back. This would suit the lyrics in the song. For example - "the lengths that I will go to, the distance in your eyes..." This could mean that he goes to extreme lengths to try and impress his lover, however, she is distant and does not feel the same way for him. There also shots of the singer standing with white wings behind him. This also connotes religion, as they make him seem like an Angel.
Editing.
As in most music videos, the clips from 'losing my religion' are edited precisely to the beat of the music. This reinforces the rhythm of the music and it allows the viewer to feel the music as well as just hearing it. Some editing effects are used. For example, a blur is used on the close up of the singers eye. This may indicate that he is sad.
Mise en scene.
Flashes of light are used to accompany the editing of the clips at the beginning of the song. This makes it seem as though photographs are being taken as the flashing light could represent the flash on a camera. A spotlight is used throughout the video and there are close ups of the spotlight on the lyrics "that's me in the spotlight." This is effective as it fits in with the narrative and makes the music video very literal. There is religious imagery throughout the video. For example, there in an angel and angel wings. The main setting of the video is an old looking room which may also have some historical/biblical references.
As for the sound, there is no sound other that the actual song in 'losing my religion' which is typical of most music video's.
As in most music videos, the clips from 'losing my religion' are edited precisely to the beat of the music. This reinforces the rhythm of the music and it allows the viewer to feel the music as well as just hearing it. Some editing effects are used. For example, a blur is used on the close up of the singers eye. This may indicate that he is sad.
Mise en scene.
Flashes of light are used to accompany the editing of the clips at the beginning of the song. This makes it seem as though photographs are being taken as the flashing light could represent the flash on a camera. A spotlight is used throughout the video and there are close ups of the spotlight on the lyrics "that's me in the spotlight." This is effective as it fits in with the narrative and makes the music video very literal. There is religious imagery throughout the video. For example, there in an angel and angel wings. The main setting of the video is an old looking room which may also have some historical/biblical references.
As for the sound, there is no sound other that the actual song in 'losing my religion' which is typical of most music video's.
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