Artist Analysis - Who Says

I really like this video. Nothing really happens, but it just shows Mayer going out with his friends and doing random activities. The idea of the song isn't about getting stoned. It's more of a libertarian statement of 'who says' I can't do what I want in my own home.
I really like the parts where he's sat at a restaurant table, and one shot he's acting as though the camera isn't there but the next he's singing into it. My first reaction was 'thats pretty cool', so I'm thinking if I can use it then my audience will have a similar reaction.
It has the short opening part (actually the longest one yet, at 46 seconds) at the beginning, and yet another bridge for him to walk along! During the start there is really quick flashes of all the locations to be shown later on. I like this idea, and it could actually work for my video.
I like how he goes to each location with his friends but then half way through he'll become invisible to them and just sing to the camera. It makes it quite personal.

Artist Analysis - Waiting on the World to Change

'Waiting on the World to Change' was the single from Continuum. The video also starts with a short clip before the song kicks in.
 

This video has Mayer walking along a bridge while singing his song. It's interesting because the song is a kind of protest song, but not really. It kind of says we need to change the word, but do it in your own time. Rather than telling us to change the world it's just suggestive.
I think this is why they didn't choose to use a theme of changing the world. Instead they chose to show a bunch of artists who spend time planning a mural and then going out and doing it. It shows people taking action, but avoids the cliched 'lets change the world' kind of theme. Instead one of the tags says WAKE UP!
I really like some of the over the shoulder shots while he's looking over the bridge. I also like the walking shots.
I also like how the camera is never still. It's constantly moving, whether it's following somebody or just has a handheld effect. This helps keep the video interesting and keep things flowing.
Did they cross the line at 2:13? Seems like he's facing the other way.

Past Student Analysis - Effects

This is a video from last year by Lew Parker. 

I love how important style is to the video. From the band's clothes to the effects applied in Final Cut, everything in the video is about looking cool.
I love the very beginning of the video where the band are faced backwards. The singer of the group is highlighted from the very first shot and is seen pulling his collar up.

From here we head straight into performance footage. This is so vital to this video. It takes up a good amount of screen time and is, perhaps sub-consciously, very expected of this genre and music videos in general. This links to one of Goodwin's theories.

The quality of this video is very professional. I'd obviously love to achieve footage of a similar standard, although I'm not sure my camera is quite that good. Different motion speeds are used over and over, whether it's fast or slow. This is a kind of motif and it used very well. It's somehow escaped being gimmicky, which means it's been used carefully and considerately.

Other effects are used on some shots, such as the one above. This lens flare effect is used on all the shots at this location. This creates a feeling of familiarity and also looks very cool, which continues the idea of everything being stylised.

Another effect used is this kind of wobbly 'faulty camera' effect. It's often applied for a very short period of time to make a boring shot more interesting.

My favourite part of the video is the end or last half, where the whole video is replayed backwards to the beginning part of turning up the collar.