Amateur Vs Professional

A level interpretation of The Killers - Mr Brightside



The Killers- Mr Brightside

Here I've got two versions of a music video. The first is an amateur version and the second is the professional version. If we look at the first few shots in the opening scenes there are numerous things to consider. The first thing that catches my eye is the camera quality that lacks in the amateur version. The colour of the camera lens appears grey and quite out of focus. Whereas, the professional version comes across as being very clear and colourful. The amount in the frame is also something that helps to compare between the two. Although the amateur version has included many artistic props such as photographs, posters and radios, the shot still appears to be quite dull and plain. Whereas when we look at the Killers own version, it is very lavish and the frame is filled with many actors and actresses dressed with what appears as very expensive clothing.
If we look at the set, in the amateur version, the young actor is simply sat in a bedroom with a lack of furniture or props. Whereas in the Killers version, they are on their own stage and surrounded by props. Already, from the opening scene we can see that the Professional version is very overpowering and extravagant.
If we look at particular things such as lighting and camera work we can see where the money has really been spent. Obviously for the amateur version, the group may not have even had a budget, and this can be seen with the shakey camerawork and lack of transitions. However, the group have attempted to copy a similar concept as The Killers for their video and it comes across as being quite successful and creative. The killers, inspired by Moulin Rouge, decided to go for a burlesque theme that clearly had quite a big budget and this can be seen with the neat framing and camera work. The professional version can also be seen to use particular transitions such as fades and jump cuts. Moreover, as the video progresses the professional version the editing effects are shown through firework displays and bright flashes of colour.
 Even though the amateur group has really attempted to bring out their creativity in the video, they are let down by lighting and shakey camera work. However, the video comes across as being very impressionable and impressive considering the low budget. They share a similarity with The Killers in the fact that both groups have chosen a theme and stuck to it throughout. Furthermore, both groups are choosing similar target audience groups consisting of young, indie teenagers.