Analysis of original song video

As I'm sure you're all aware by now, our group will be recreating Alex Clare's Too Close video. The song starts off with soft beats to which the images are edited; the beats and the images of two kendo performers preparing for battle portray intensity. In our video, we will use the similar method by showing close up and far shots of the artist without properly revealing their face straightaway. This will ensure a slow intense build up which is intended to engage the viewer and keep them anticipating as to who this mystery man may be.

In the original video, there are only two separate locations (and hence, two base tracks) and cross editing is used to show the events in both places. I really admire the powerful image of the two men fighting. As part of the mise en scene, they are dressed identically, the only slight difference being the red and navy/black colours in their attire. These scenes are very crucial in constructing the meaning of the song; I think the two fighters represent the main character's conscience fighting with each other and contemplating whether he should stay or go, as portrayed by lyrics:
Which way is right, which way is wrong,
How do I say that I need to move on?
You know we're heading separate ways.
     
The character is in a complicated situation with his love interest and is wanting to leave her. The main meaning of the phrase 'too close' in the context of this song is that he feels too close to be in love with her, as in, they are too close as friends perhaps and they know each other too well. The original music video builds up a climax through the kendo scenes and eventually one of the fighters lose, which means the main character has made his decision. We are looking to achieve a similar result; the video will build up through Green's increasing pace of walking (and then eventually running) in the base track and the other symbolic images in the video and lead to a climax.   

Overall, the lyrics have very deep meaning and tell a story on their own. We will make our video completely different. Our main base track is a old fashioned cobbled street, which I have specifically selected to suit the needs of our video and to create a moody atmosphere. The two verses of the song will mainly show the performer's journey through this street, with use of different angles and edits such as slow motion.

I have noticed in Alex Clare's original video how during the fast paced choruses (as opposed to the slow verses) there is more action and faster editing. During our chorus, the artist Marcus Green will be performing at lively colourful locations. This will create an emotive contrast against the gloomy and depressing mood of the street.

The artist Alex Clare is represented to be quite intellectual by his look and is well dressed and groomed. Marcus Green will be sporting similar attire to present himself in the same way. Also, Alex Clare is quite distinct due to his beard, this makes him appear sophisticated and goes well with his alternative genre of music . Marcus Green's appearance is also very distinct and stands out because of his Mohawk hairstyle.

As the verses in the song are quite slow, there are images or flashes during the 'gaps' which act as fillers. In the original video, this is achieved through the cross editing between the two scenes. This is something we will implement in our own video by having close up flashes of the couple holding hands.

However, over the course of the video, the hands will slowly drift apart, constructing meaning with the song that he must let go and that the romance is dead. I think the use of slow motion editing will be effective during these images because the music during the gaps is quite slow and will portray the deeper meaning behind the song.