Music video analysis #1 - Closer
Act: Nine Inch Nails
Track: Closer
Year: 1994
Director: Mark Romanek+
Trent Reznor
Genre: Industrial/
Electronic
Main audience:
Similarly to most industrial songs and videos the target demographic for this
video and song is for mature audiences above and in-between the ages of 18-30.
This is due to the dark nature of the lyrics and visuals, a prime example of this would be when the lyrics "I want to f*** you like an animal" are sung.
...
...
...
Relationship between the visuals and lyrics:
When incorporating Goodwin’s theory of lyrical classification, this
video hosts a wide range of illustrative, and amplifying lyrical visual
classification. This is due to the themes of, Sex, Religion, Authority and
Animalism that run through this video in direct relation to the lyrics. A prime example of this would be when Reznor sings "I want to feel you from the inside", he is also seen to caress his own face in a sensual way. However
Goodwin’s 6 point breakdown of a music video is not so applicable with
only two points applying to this video. These points are “intertextual
references” and “tone and atmosphere of the visuals reflects the music”. In addition to this there is a large amount of star treatment on Reznor throughout this production (reinforcing Archer's theory of star treatment) and many shots of his sadomasochist and 'kinky' proclivities.
 |
| Jack Nicholson intertextual reference. |
This notion would reinforce Vernaillis’s idea
that the music video is created with the song in mind due to the fact the video
is quite shocking, which seems to align and synergize with the industrial genre
due to its more underground nature.
One of the key, striking concepts in this video
involves a naked but bald woman who is only identified as a woman judging by
her bosom, and nothing else. This idea of a non-sexualised woman relates to Judith
Butler’s theory of a variable construction of gender beyond traditional
binary constructions. This also reinforces Butler’s statement that “Gender is
culturally formed”. More of these concepts includes a mechanically operated
heart, a butchered carcass, a little girl, a circus performer, a man in a Victorian
style suit, and a board of old judgmental men (Evidenced by their glances of
distaste in the events they watch).
 |
| "Gender is culturally formed"- Judith Butler. |
It is clear to see a convention of this genre would be
the direct mode of address to the audience and flipping many conventions on
their head. A prime example of this would be the gender reversal of Trent
Reznor with close ups of him being subservient and ball-gaged with hints
towards sexual fetish (Masochism) as well as the bald woman figure. This
notion of masochism is later seen again when Reznor is seemingly naked and
strapped to the roof with long gloves and a mask to cover his eyes.
This is
shown to effectively break down conventions of gender exclusivity and
contrast to Levi-Strauss’s theory of gender binaries.
We notice that the pace is relatively quick and speeds
up more and more towards the end only to be cut short dramatically with a shot
of Reznor playing a mounted synthesiser.
There is a large presence of mechanical (industrial) paraphernalia, as seen with a metal spinning contraption with a pigs head mounted upon it. This is aligned with the industrial genre due to the direct connection. As well as a sub-culture
of the macabre (Examples of this can be found with the baby’s skeleton and crucified
monkey on the cross.)
 |
| Mechanical contraption in relation to the industrial genre. |
Grimy and seedy locations are an integral convention
of industrial and some electronic productions. This is evidenced by the disused
science lab, and filth laden spectator rooms. In terms of costume and lighting, highly out of the ordinary costume has been used throughout the video which is indicative of the Gothic sub-culture that surrounds industrial electronic music. These Gothic clothes consist of leather and dark apparel. In addition to these this video hosts a number of other costumes including that of a Victorian suit, a little girls dress, a businessman's suit and no clothing at all!
The notion of discomfort and exhibitionism is a key element to this video as seen with the board of old men, as they watch the protagonist struggle. The idea of unpleasantness and dark themes are pertinent conventions of industrial electronic in this respect.
 |
| Gothic costume |
Towards the start of the video there is a very interesting shot involving a human heart being powered by mechanical wires. The heart beats in timing with the beat of the song, this is clearly reinforces Archer's theory of 'seeing the sounds' (Synaethesia) in a music video.
Influences to consider:
- Low key lighting?
- Star treatment?
- Dark imagery (shock value?)?
 |
| An example of Archer's theory of Synaethesia |
- Low key lighting?
- Star treatment?
- Dark imagery (shock value?)?
Shorter post titles: Industrial EG1...
ReplyDeleteAudience - recurrent issue where you state 18+. He's always appealed to a wider, younger audience; shock value + of course ease of access through digitisation - are YouTube blocks effective?!
Good to see Butler/theory - but also because of black background, and invisible sub-headings + lack of tagging, this is likely to go unnoticed. Butler v binary would be a useful topic to explore with your vid, with TR's vulnerability/emotive v more typical aggression/unemotive (deadpan).
Does faster pace link to track itself? (Vernallis...)
Indeed...as you note swearing, good opportunity to get into (KNOWLEDGE/RESEARCH: INDUSTRY) issues of censorship, distribution, digitisation - something you need to address given artist and track choices! Then feeds into Eval Q as well...
ReplyDelete