Analysis of a professional music video

MASSIVE ATTACK - UNFINISHED SYMPATHY




The video was directed by Baillie Walsh and produced by virgin records. it was filmed in Los Angeles, California, between S.New Hampshire and Dewey Avenue. The lead singer Shara Nelson is featured walking along the sidewalk lip syncing, unaware or uncaring of her surroundings, which includes drunks, gangs and bikers. It was one of the earliest music videos to use one continuous shot with a steadycam operated by Dan Keece.

The song and video was produced in 1991, so the target audience was those who were typical music lovers of the time. The 'Trip-Hop' style genre that Massive Attack invented became notorious during the early 90's, with this song being the most famous. The song and the video is still played on the radio and music television and is still loved by generations after because it is such a classic.

I think the point of the song was not only to draw the attention of the 90's club scene, but the lyrics actually give a powerful message and meaning of love and heartache. Some of my favorite are, 'like a soul without a mind, like a body without a heart, i'm missing every part', i find these very powerful and moving, especially along with the video because it is so real. Shara Nelson lipsyncs as she walks down the Avenue, linking back to the point that she is not phased by her surroundings, and that she cares about nothing other than her lost lover at that point. There is a certain sadness to this song, but in a way it brings people joy because there is an aspect of a powerful woman overcoming what she has to, and moving on because it is desperately needed.

I find the camerawork in this video very interesting as it is done in one continuous shot. being one of the earliest music videos to use this technique, it was an added feature of Massive Attack's breakthrough techniques and quirkyness.
The fascinationg part about this video is that it starts by focusing on a gang members hand, playing with two heavy silver balls - possibly to be used as a weapon in a fight, which make a scratching noise. Then the camera pans and zooms out to the right, facing his dog and then zooms out even further to show his gang and the street. There is a woman walking along the road which the camera then zooms towards, we then realise that this is Shara Nelson and this is who the video is based around. Throughout the course of the shot, the camera moves and jolts to give a sense of the viewer being in the street with her, listening to her and following her on her journey. The camerawork deliberately gives space on the left and right side of Shara, so that it is possible to view the background and the surroundings. The choice of outfit for Shara, which is an all black floating dress down to the floor with long sleeves is done purposely to portray her sadness and depression, and to single her out from the crowd.

The video has received critical acclaim over the years and has become prestigious in the music industry. it has been described as 'A work of art' and has been endlessly admired by the world. So much so that the British band The Verve took inspiration from the video and made their own in exactly the same style for the song 'Bittersweet Symphony' in 1997.