CONTEXT OF PRACTICE 1 – VIDEO REVIEWING

For our first Context in Practice seminar we started by watching at two videos, the first being advertisement for a tire company and the second a music video. Below is my intake on what the two videos where both saying in my opinion and also how they compare and contrast to each other to be able to get an idea of the message both of the videos are giving out.

Tony Kaye: Tested for the Unexpected, 1993
After watching the short advertisement created by Tony Kaye for Dunlop tires the viewer may experience confusion; as to begin with the advertisement could be depicted as a music or art video. This is due to the bright contrasting colours used and the sequence of video clips that have been selected. The colours used are very warm and soothing, making the entire video very welcoming. Accompanying the video is a strange, psychedelic mix of sounds that have been combined together which makes the atmosphere of the piece a little bit creepier but again makes the video more appealing and also makes the viewer wonder about the video more. Altogether the video could have the potential of being around for years as the video is of a high quality and even though it has not been created using new technology and methods it is still a modern looking video; like the ones still created nowadays.  


Anton Corbijn: Atmosphere, 1988 (The Joy Division)
On the other hand the second video is quite the opposite of the first one. Unlike the first video this one is quite bland. Whilst watching this video it gauges mixed opinions as at first it is unusual to watch as it is unclear at what is going on. After the first few scenes we begin to understand that the black and white figures are trying to be involved with each other but there are things that keep getting in the way; these things which are not shown at all. This could also be depicted as a unity of races and different classes as they are almost trying to get along together but society won’t let them. The rest of the quality of the video is very poor and it is unclear as to whether this is intentional or not due to the act the video was made in the 1980’s. The quality of it as a whole is very bitty and grainy in places making the black and white more effective and aged.

This video differs greatly from the first one looked at in many ways. Firstly the mood created in the first one was slightly more upbeat; using a more psychedelic approach whereas the second is more calming and has a slightly more sinister feel to it as the lighting is very dark and mysterious. Again the colours differ as the second one uses an olden black and white grainy effect and the first uses bright colours to attract the viewer’s attention straight away; making it the more appealing of the two videos.