One Republic- Counting stars

Narrative Lyrics:• the lyrics tell a story of a drug addict trying to overcome his addiction by attending a self

help meeting as he previously ruined his relationship with his loved one therefore driving them away. This can be conveyed within the lyrics for example ‘in my face is flashing signs’ this eludes to the symptoms of drug abuse. Also ‘I couldn’t lie, couldn’t lie everything that kills me makes me feel alive’ this shows that he knows the drugs are ruining him which link to the video as he is at a help meeting which suggests he wants to get better.

Video:• The video shows the band itself performing the song in a dimly lit basement surrounded

by lights which can represent the ‘stars’ repeated throughout in the song, above where they are performing there is a meeting going on for drug abusers trying to recover, they are seen dancing and letting go and eventually they break the ceiling and one of the actors falls through therefore joining the band in the basement at the end of the song, where they then meet and look up/down at each other. Also during this a crocodile appears several times crawling along the floor, this represents the danger of slipping back into drug usage as the crocodile is always there.

Intertextuality

• Reference to the bible- Mathew 7:7 ‘seek it out and ye shall find’

At this point we see this scene which suggests he has seeked out a solution to solve his drug problem which is going to the drug group

Iconography/ voyeurism

• Dark• Meaningful songs• Natural

• Not very voyeuristic, however we are watching a meeting which can be seen as personal.

Camera usage

• The use of a steadicam creates a sense disorientation- a common state in which drug users find themselves.

• This is evoked by consistent movement, fast pans and irregularity of angles.

Camera

• Even though the main singer is not acting in the drug he is seen about 65% of the time along with the band however he is the main focus and is shown from all different angles. Often someone is always facing away from the camera which suggests running away from problems.

editing

• Fast paced after opening throughout.• First 5 seconds don’t have a cut which is

setting a gloomy mood as we can focus on the scene and setting.

• The hole in the floor was also edited.

Lip sync

• The main singer is most often singing when we see him in the video, however the people upstairs in the video aren't singing but are dancing supposedly to their music.

Star image

• The whole band is performing in the video however they do not represent characters in the drug story they are narrating the song. The story is happening above them in a different scene, however they do cross at the end when the guy falls through the ceiling and finishes In eyecontact between the two scenes.

Mise en Scene• CostumeThe band wears black, lit with bright lights above. The above people are formal/casual wearing different colours.• LightingIs quite dark around the band however has flickering lights which match with the ‘stars’ lyrics• ActingA bit dramatic and over enthused.The crocodile shows the danger • Make upAll quite bare faces which highlights the reality of the song and the natural problem.• Props Bathtub/ raindrop shows cleansing of sins/ drugs.• SettingsAlmost two controversial settings between the band and the service and we don’t realise they are on top of each other until the end.

Illustrate/Amplify

• It goes along with the song however can be seen as a bit dramatic with the dancing (the worm) and the falling through the ceiling.