Clips that show alcoholism and depression

Clips showing alcoholism - 

Leaving Las Vegas - Lonely Teardrops

This clip largely relates to the story of our music video as the story is based on alcoholism. This is shown in ‘leaving Las Vegas’ at the beginning of the clip when he happily puts alcohol in his shopping trolley and further along the clip he goes in a depressing drunk mode. This highlights how he is hiding from his pain through the use of alcohol. This is what we want to show in our music video. In this video being drunk is also shown with the main character lying on the floor looking at his hands.

Travie McCoy: We'll Be Alright [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

 

Alcohol is shown in this music video through the use of red cups which automatically gives the viewer an idea that they drinking alcohol. This is due to red cups being commonly used in music videos that involve drinking, therefore, they are stereotypical. The scene is at a party which gives an idea that because they are teenagers, they will be drinking alcohol. It is also shown by the way they are acting as it is different to the way people usually act if they’re not drinking.

The Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit)

Alcohol is shown in this video with people holding cups of drink at a club which the viewer presumes is alcohol. Alcohol is also shown being poured into a cup. This is a simple method that is common throughout many music videos. The difference between these videos is how the clips show the effect of alcohol; as some use parties and some use destructive drunks.

Eminem - Love The Way You Lie ft. Rihanna

The use of alcohol is used a lot in this video. One way this video shows alcoholism is through the behaviour of the characters as they become aggressive (which is shown in picture 5 above.) Another way to show that alcohol is a part of this video is to show alcohol bottles even though they may not be focused. In picture 1, the man is looking into the beer bottle which suggests that he is in deep thought. In picture 2, the man is holding a bottle of beer in front of the girl which suggests he is drunk; by using the girl in the shot it indicates how the alcohol is affecting his relationship. In picture 3, there is a bottle of alcohol in between the two characters which looks empty, therefore, suggests that the two have been drinking. In picture 4, there is a bottle out of focus behind the girl. Although it is out of focus, it automatically brings attention towards the bottle as it takes up a large part of the screen.

Showing Depression -

Eminem - Not Afraid

Depression and frustration is shown in this video through the way the man is sitting. Having his head in his hand and elbows on his knees produces the idea that he is frustrated and unhappy. The desolated building he is in reflects his mood as everything is in disarray. The setting produces the idea that he is self-destructive as he is struggling with his thoughts via his actions as reflected by the destruction of the setting. The camera angle is low which makes the chairs a large focus which acts as a frame for the model. This makes the eye focus in on the important feature of the scene.

Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools (Drank)

Depression is shown in this video with the use of the scenery and lighting. The room is completely empty to represent the sense of something missing which is a common reason for depression. The lighting is dark yet not black and white which ensures the scene is dingy rather than bright. This produces a shadow on the man which puts him in darkness; this is successful as darkness is a connotation of depression.

This research into how other music videos and films portray depression and alcoholism helps us determine how we will portray it in our own video. This research allows us to see what colours and setting benefits the tone better and gives us an insight into what angles and close ups to use. This will ensure our video fits with the stereotypes in order to allow the message to be portrayed clearly. This is important as the audience need to understand the topic involved in our video in order to understand the message.