MV Research: Applying Music Video Theory To Artist 'Song' ; Arctic Monkeys - Leave Before The Lights Come On
The Arctic Monkeys video for Leave before the lights come on presents the theme of suicide in various ways, through the use of an establishing shot we see the woman in the video contemplating suicide above a rooftop whilst losing her shoe. Video theorist Kaplan identified music videos as a post-modern form of the media. This means that they subverted of disregarded the expected conventions of film-making. The Arctic Monkeys could be raising awareness for suicide in the media as at the time the video was produced (2006) awareness for suicide may not be as prolific as it nowadays. The story follows a narrative so follows theories from Diane Railton.
As the video develops we become aware that Mise-en Scene is crucial throughout the video. The womans shoe is dropped followed by a worms eye view shot to connote the distance between the man and woman who after he prevents her suicide rejects her love interest by the prop of a wedding ring which is zoomed in on by an extreme close up on the mans finger.
As the video progresses we see a juxtaposition in the relationship between the man and the woman. After he rejects her approaches by saying he is married we see various close ups on both their faces than connote anger; particularly the male who becomes increasingly more frustrated by the woman. In terms of video theory, this segment can be applied to the research of Andrew Goodwin, who suggested There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals - this is shown through either illustration of the lyrics, amplification of the meaning of the lyrics or disjuncture from the lyrics. Also he mentioned there is a relationship between the music and the visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visuals can either illustrate, amplify of show disjuncture from the tone and atmosphere of the music.
They also apply various editing techniques, such as when the woman appears regardless of the shot the contrast of the picture alters so it is grittier this could resemble the womans ambitious personality. Vernallis believes that verbal, visual and musical codes combine to create representations of race. class, gender, sexuality and performance. This knowledge alludes to the fact the arctic monkeys are presenting this woman as uneasy due to the different screen effects, this is only applied when she is with the man. The colours are yellowy and green suggesting the relationship is toxic.
It appears the video was made on a smaller budget as there are only 3 locations ( the roof,cafe and street) and three significant characters. Being produced in 2006, it was clear the Arctic Monkeys didn't have the financial backing of other artists at the time. Music videos are now made with smaller budgets (largely possible due to developments in modern technology at the stages of production and post-production) at the time of production Arctic Monkeys video supported research from Keazor and Wubenna.
Carlsson identifies that the 'artist' or 'performer' is represented in one of three ways in music videos a as "modern mythic embodiment" the arctic monkeys avoid being a commercial exhibitionist. He or she is a monger of their own body image, selling everything to be in the spotlight – selling voice, face, lifestyle, records, and so on. The group prioritise telling an interesting narrative, which in the end results in a change in attitudes as we see the woman is not suicidal but is looking for male attention to fuel her low self esteem. A withdrawal of attention shows the Arctic monkeys have a similarity in attitudes to the rest of the indie genre as their main intention is to produce good music rather than receive publicity or celebrity status.
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