Editing Styles of Alternative Rock
Editing is the second most important aspect of constructing a music video after filming, this is due to the fact that editing uses the clips filmed and then binds them all together, allowing for a well-structured and smooth video to be created. Specifically for music videos, editing creates and defines the genre of the music by being tailored to styles that can specifically relate to that genre. In the case of alternative rock, specific editing styles included turning the brightness down in order to create that dull and dark scenery. Furthermore signature editing techniques used within the majority of alternative rock videos include fade transitions between shots and cut shots to black screens.
Analysis of Alternative Rock Editing Styles
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Everlong starts off by picturing an American suburb in black and white with two men hopping over a bush towards a house, the camera then zooms and tracks into and around the house until it reaches the couple inside .As the guitars come in the man switches into a dream from reality, with the black and white effect fading into a saturated haze. By editing the music video to incorporate these specific colour effects it really fits the alternative rock style as that dark sense is portrayed immediately within the video. Furthermore the video has been edited with the use of water running between the transitions switching between dreams and realities of both characters to further enhance the spooky feelings set between the nightmares demonstrated within the music video. This suits the alternative rock style of editing as most alternative rock videos typically generate a mysterious effect. Additionally the pace of the cuts have been edited depending on the characters situation during the song, for example when the characters are in a moment of panic, the pace of cuts speeds up during the song. The lighting within the video also creates effect through the way in which it varies, for example when switching from dream to reality the lighting becomes darker, adding a sinister effect towards the viewer as they know something bad is going to happen.
Oasis - Morning Glory
A landscape view featuring oversaturated lighting starts off Morning Glory, the alternative rock genre is instantly felt through the first few shots of this music video as the camera zooms from the pitch black room into the letterbox revealing light. Linking to that sense of mystery often associated with alternative rock music. Additionally the variance between different realities within the music video are differed by lighting, that being the band in the flat being set in a saturated haze of orange tint covered in shadow, whilst flat residents outside are pictured in a lighter blue effect. This portrays the alternative rock genre due to the fact that the colour difference represents rebellion through the use of a stimulating colour (orange), against a depressing one (blue). Demonstrated by the loud music being played by the band which purposefully annoys the neighbours. Furthermore the cut transitions used at the start follow with the tempo of the drums within the song, allowing momentum to be built in the song.
Nirvana - Heart Shaped Box
The music video begins showing an aerial view of a patient from a hospital bed, the background is enclosed with curtains that darken the atmosphere and additionally a single ray of light is shining in. This creates a mysterious effect, giving the dark feeling towards the vibe of the video. The setting for the rest of the video shows red skies over poppy fields with a cross in the background, following that dark genre in which matches the alternative rock style. The video varies between scenes mimicking religion, the costumes are all quite relevant as the patient on the cross is dressed as Jesus with the child wearing priest robes also. The editing has included flash cuts during that scene in which the chorus comes in to keep up with the momentum of the song. Furthermore this also links to the speed of the music which also becomes a lot quicker as the chorus comes in. In relation towards the colours used within the video, a mixture of dull colours are used, this gives the audience the impression that the video is quite dark through the use of dark red and purple colours.