A2 Music Video Rankings 2012-2013

A2 Music Video Rankings 

2012-2013

1st: 13E4 - If You Wanna

It had a great narrative and was a really fun video. There was a lot of good close up shots and the performers singing looks authentic and not mimed. The first shot of the singers face have illuminated was really interesting, but in some of the shots after that he isn't focused on the camera and glances at something behind it which is distracting for an audience. The costumes, props and make up were great for all of the 'time settings' and the locations were used well.

2nd: 13E6 - Go In, Go Hard

I liked the camera movement in this video, especially when the performers are on the roof top. The location is great because you can tell that the artist is from the UK and the background shows the skyline with buildings that look typically british. The narrative is clear and interesting, and it also links to the lyrics which emphasises their meaning. The camera is handheld and rarely stationary which makes it a really interesting video.

3rd: 13E7 - Pretty Little Angel

This had a good range of close ups (e.g. lips, half face etc) that make it feel intimate and voyeuristic. The black & white and the 'negative' effect matches the mood of the song, which is dark and seedy and sensual. The flashing effect created by editing was a great idea because it was done to the beat and it feels almost like strobe lighting in a club. At some points the close up goes on for too long and starts to get boring especially at the repeat of the chorus, but overall it was a really good music video.

4th: 13E5 - Foundations

The lip syncing was really accurate and in time, the singer gave a great performance and make-up was used well. There were a lot of good close ups as well as good camera angles like the high angle while they're on the bed and the over-the-shoulder shot of him flirting with the bartender. I think the camera stayed too stationary through the whole video and they could have moved it around a bit more. Other than that the narrative was clear and represented the lyrics really well.

5th: 13A3 - Nine2Five

I liked the start with the jump cuts towards the camera and I like how they were in time with the beat. Lots of different locations were used and the close up shots were good, with the singer moving to the camera rather than the other way around. Costume was used and the background fit with the performer (the graffiti wall). I liked how the performer really interacted with the camera, by moving closer to it and throwing things over the lens. However, at some points you can tell that he is miming the words, and when the instruments are shown they dont look like they are being played in time with the music at all.

6th: 13A2 - Life Happens

The first shot of the singer's mouth at the beginning is really good and gets people's attention. Then there are a few really good shots after that where she is obscured by the light in the mirror and a shot of her back through a window that were cool because of the hidden element. Another thing I thought was engaging was when she holds the camera while walking, because it feels playful and fun which matches the mood of the song but also it feels like the performer is making a connection to the audience. If costume was used to emphasise the feel of the song I think it would have been a huge improvement. There was a really nice concept edit of the boat floating on water that was compelling. To improve it I think in some places the performance felt a bit half hearted when it should have been really lively, and she has an instrument so I think there could have been a few close ups for that.

7th: 13A1 - Sparks Fly

There was a good use of camera movement when the singer is being circled, and some of the transitions like the use of dissolve adds to the sentimental feel of the song. One of the shots of the guy has a foggy, faded kind of effect that makes it clear that its a flashback. However the shaped transitions like the diamond are distracting and would look better in a fun pop video rather than this. There aren't a lot of close ups which a video like this, with a slow and sad song usually needs because there isn't enough intimacy except for the shot of the singer crying. I also noticed that there was some reused footage which made me feel a bit bored.