Chosen Music Video Director (Task 11 & 12): Lawrence

HardyBy Brittany Matlock

Hardy’s work

Hardy has worked with bands such as You Me At Six, Young Guns, Tonight Is Goodbye, who all belong to the emo and alternative rock genres.

You Me At Six – If I Were In Your Shoes

‘If I Were In Your Shoes’ features a live performance featuring the whole band in plain white studio (so as not to distract from the performance). Special effects include circling the band, fast-forwarding effects, and features close-ups of the singer Josh Franceschi and of the two guitarists performing, as well as overhead shots of the singer and guitarists performing. These various effects prevent the video from becoming dull. Although the studio is completely white, the fast-forwarding effect and circling of the band adds some frantic energy, whilst the over-head shots create an alternative view to traditional close-ups.

Young Guns – In The Night

‘In The Night’ was filmed in a dark tunnel with strong artificial lighting during the night as reference to the title, and to represent the emo/alternative genre. It also features a live performance and close-ups of the singer and a guitarist’s body art whilst he is playing, traditional of this genre. Special effects include blending screens of the singer’s face for surreal, abstract, and sometimes disturbing effect.

Tonight Is Goodbye - Brain

‘Brain’ is another video by Hardy that features a live performance in a plain studio. There are many references to lyrics in the song, such as ‘tick tock time away’ being represented by a ticking clock, and a rewinding effect to represent the lyric ‘I want to rewind to the start’. The guitarist and singer’s shoe laces are moved around using stop motion, another special effect to add an unusual perspective to this video. Colour is added to the video with paint, possibly to decorate the white studio, or to represent the band’s colourful and energetic music.

Task 12: Influence

Hardy’s work with live performance has interested me, and I would like to include it within my video. The performances can show a band’s unique approach to shows, and can add original flavour to any video. The fast-forwarding special effect that is featured within ‘If I Were In Your Shoes’ is an effect I would like to include, as it can add frantic energy to any shots.