Music Video Analysis

Late of the Pier- Heart Beat

"Heartbeat" was released in 2008 by the critically acclaimed band "Late Of The Pier". The Nottingham based band are often depicted as "electro rockers", and their genre definition ranges from indie rock to new rave.
The song alone is extremely upbeat with a majority of the song being played in the major key and both the video and song seem to celebrate being young and having fun which is displayed through the party/dream like images seen through the mise en scene and through the gestures and expressions of the actors.

The sets in the duration of the video are often in colour and fun (set in space/fantasy lands) which have an extremely dream like feel to it. To the audience this could be a very nostalgic image which they will be able to relate with their youth and this image is glorified throughout the video .There are many themes which run throughout the video which are fun, dreams, but also have an element of horror.As titled the song continually repeats the words " a heartbeat, a flicker, a line" and is the crux to the meaning of the whole song and video. However the phrase is ambiguous and can be interpreted in many ways.Some of these lyrics could be interpreted as a heart-rate monitor referring to the fine line between life and death. However more predominately the interpretation of the song refers to drug taking and the high this gives them. This idea is clearly reflected in the video and there is a clear correlation between the lyrics and video through the use of dream like sequences (unreality) and the acting of the main singer. This is created in a variety of ways ranging from the angle of shots, camera movement and setting. The transition between scenes in the dream like sequence are particularly effective in this video using the walls as a means of visual cutting. Unlike continuity editing the video uses uncontinuity editing where we are deliberately drawn to notice the editing. This is achieved by panning across to a new shot following and tilting down with the character as he falls and encourages multiple viewing of the video.

Despite the "dream like quality" which is prominent throughout this video there is also the conflicting idea of nightmares which also feature throughout the video. This can in particular be applied to the very opening of the sequence.In the opening long shot we are presented with a dark, desolate, ominous setting while the actors dig into a hole during the instrumental intro of the music. The use of low key lighting here is used effectively to create an air of mystery yet is also a threatening atmosphere which creates suspense and interest.
This sets a dark underlying tone to the whole video as it immediately discomforts the audience making them feel uneasy. The dark foreboding setting could also relate to the idea of "being in a dark place" when you are taking drugs and reflecting a bad state of mind.

Throughout the video there is a lot of intertextual references to other films which is also targeted at the audience to make them feel as if this video can relate to their own life. At the very start of the video in a particulary dark, forbidding scene we are presented with an old plastic doll. Not only is this image something we again associate with our childhood but it also reminded me very strongly of the film "Child's play" featuring the doll Chucky.

There is something very sinister about the use of dolls in horror movies as children are usually a symbol of purity and innocence so therefore this representation is extremely controversial. The use of the doll in "heartbeat" creates a disturbing atmosphere in the early parts of the video and is a foreboding warning of danger and could be interpreted as the actor in the story line's "loss of innocence". However, this is not the only example of intertexual reference within the video.
Also in the video there also appears to be an "Alice in Wonderland"
reference in one of the scenes which again relates to the story in the video.

In child psychology, experts believe in the concept of imaginary friends as seen in the tale of "Alice in Wonderland" can be based on someone your child already knows, a storybook character or even a soft toy with human-like features. Or they can come purely from your child’s imagination". More studies reveal that imaginary friends help children cope with changes and escape reality for a while. This is a theme entirely relevant to "heartbeat" as the song is about escaping reality and being free like a child to escape the horror of reality. This is particularly pertinent to the video as many who take drugs attempt to escape their problems and reality and could be seen as a use of symbolism.

The video is very relatable to the target audience (indie). The indie scene is notorious for its association with drug taking and is shown as something many of them may have experienced themselves. The target audience is also attracted through the use on the mise en scene. The costume of the characters are very "scene" and "indie" with most of the actors dressed in skinny jeans, plain tops with long scruffy hair. This allows for the band to become figures to look up to my their fans and reflects their carefree attitude as a band.

It is debatable that this music glorifies the use of drug taking and despite the number of "trippy" random scenes it all seems cool and fun to the audience. However at the end we do see the down side and repercussions of their actions as the camera sharply pans around the room creating a disjointed feeling of confusion and pain which appears to spiral with the music. The heads of the actors then blow up one by one which could be seen as a warning of "loosing your mind/head" when taking drugs.