Dirty Harry- The Gorrilaz

Music Video analysis

Gorillaz music videos all have a common factor, the use of cartoon. Electronic shaman can be applied to this video as the use of digital effects creates a new narrative and simulated experience. The band do not actually feature in the video, however from previous videos the band members have acquired cartoon versions of themselves.

The band Gorillaz created an alternate universe for there virtual band to perform and explore their music in. They are one of the most successful virtual bands of all time.

Although there is a narrative to the story disjuncture is evident as there is no relation between the lyrics and what we are shown on screen.

The establishing shot pans across a dessert . The simple colours creates the barren setting of the narrative video. The long shot allows the audience to view the imaginary land of the Gorillaz .

Following the story of a search party we see a militant styled truck roaming the dessert. The slight duct angle of the camera shows the unconventional, original style and plot of the story. The long shot allows the audience to see the scenario of the flair and the truck move across the screen.

The divide created within the frame between the children and the Gorilla highlights the slightly frightful man and the stereotypical children. The kids are made to seem inferior to the Gorilla due to the high angle of the shot, the audience looks down upon them. Similarly the brighter colours of the children's clothing do not belong in the surroundings , whereas the Gorilla seems at home and in his own habitat.

Due to previous videos we know that this particular Gorilla is the leading member of the band. He is slightly odd looking, but stereotypical to the rough, rock Indi look . The dog tagged paired with the helmet and gun warn the audience he is a character to be wary of. This is re-emphasised in the slight distortion of the leaking sun at the top right of the medium shot

The incorporation of actual 3D real images brings aspects of the normal and contorts them into this virtual world. The barren landscape of the long shot shows the crashed plane, hinting at the stranded situation the kids and Gorrila find themselves in. Again the neutral colours of the landscape create the contrast between the clear vast sky which relates to other Gorillaz music videos.

The extreme close up of the keyboard and hand is conventional to Gorillaz. Normally a instrument is featured to remind the audience that although the video is visually strong its all about the music. The contrast of colours between the slightly grimy keyboard and the blue sky imply the abandonment of the characters and there desertion.

Within the last section of the video we see an actual person. However the camera moves around in jerky motions and this particular shot the camera is upside down. This demonstrates the invasion of the human into the virtual. It could also hint towards the mixed genre of music that Gorrilaz create it is undefined and ambiguous.

A comedic edge is added to this shot. In the foreground we see a dancing lizard wearing a hat whilst the truck is on the search for lost children. The contrast in colours between the natural and the man made is a theme highlighted within many Gorillaz music videos. The weird scenario that the audience is presented with reflects the ambiguous, strange narrative of the music video.

EditingFor the most part the editing is fairly constant and in time with the music. The shot will zoom up and progressively track backwards to expand on the scene. In parts the up tempo of the music influences the editing to pick up and be played with. For instance as the truck drives other the hill and scratched record type sound enters the mix and cause multiple shots to be layered over the top of each other to make the truck look distorted and jumpy.

A variety of shots are used in order to create the narrative of the story and the presentation of the scenario to the audience.

Long shots help to establish the barren location of the dessert and predicament the characters find themselves in.

Camera

More over close ups introduce us to the characters and the contrast between the Gorillaz and the children. We are also able to determine the expression and reaction of the characters in the music video.

Extreme close ups shows the audience imagery that is specific to the band. For instance an element of instrument is normally shown within their video. In Dirty Harrys case the piano is the focus.