2. Disturbed – Sound of Silence
The Music video sound of silence by Disturbed is in the rock
genre of music and originates from the original song by Simon
and Garfunkel. The recreation by disturbed changes the pace of
the song greatly.
The music video itself is a mixture as in the music video we can
see both performance and although confusing, some narrative.
The music video relies heavily on editing to get its message
across to the viewers . Some parts of the music video show the
main performer David Draiman singing to the camera. While in
other shots we can see a small story that fits with the narrative
that the song produces.
For most of the video special effects are used however in some
scenes real locations are used however the intense editing can
obscure them.
3. Locations List
• Mountain
• Forest
• River
• Studio
In the music video most of the
scenes are shot in a studio
these all mostly contain the
lead singer as he sings into the
camera. The studio was also
most likely edited as we can
see simple yet effective editing
in the background. For the
other locations we can see
places related to earth. In the
first location we see a
mountain with some rocks.
After this it changes to a dense
forest and finally ends with a
river. These locations are
simple but effective and in
comparison to other music
video which tend to film in
cities these are more peaceful
which could relate to the
meaning of the song.
4. Location – Mountain
• The mountain and rocky areas take
up the first part of the music video
showing the first band member
walking over the rocks(1) and
heading towards a forest area the
land goes from rocks to a more
grassy area and could be
representing the transition of the
narrative in the music video. The
band members most likely chose
this location as it is very barren and
is almost like everything in the
location is dead. This links to silence
a the location is barren and very
quiet.
(1)
5. • The scene cuts and we then see the same
band member at another angle this time
walking into a forest(1). The scene then
cuts again to another angle of the forest
as we can see the same band member
walking into the dense forest(2). The
forest location is once again different to
most music video which are filmed in an
urban area. This also contradicts other
rock bands who normally film in
warehouses or cities. This was most likely
done for dramatic effect and to fit in with
the theme of the song.
• At the start of the song we can see that
the surrounding area is very dead and
barren. As seen before we can see that
the rocky location can be linked to
something cold quiet and dead. In this
shot we can see once again the location is
very barren and dead possibly linking to
the silence. However as the scenes move
on we can see the barren areas and dead
trees start to become more alive possibly
linking that the and has found something
of importance.
Location – Forest
(1)
(2)
6. • The river is used in the music video
mainly for the narrative part of the
music video. This is also a very
interesting choice as not many music
videos choose this location. In the
music video we can see that as the
narrative progresses along with the
lyrics the band members can see
people on the other side of the video.
With them later crossing to join them.
While the river is real special effects
are also used in this scene to make it
more dramatic.
• The shot of the river once again
reinforces the idea of isolation as we
can see in the images the two types of
people are separated by the river
reinforcing the idea of silence. This
once gain links to the song as we see a
lot of people by themselves looking
towards the other side.
Location – River
7. Location - Studio
• The studio is used in a lot of the music video and
can be seen when the main singer David
Draiman is singing to the camera. Using the
studio has allowed them to create effects later
on with editing. The studio is a very cheap place
to film and many other rock bands also film in
this location as it can be used for expressing
many feeling to the viewer. Doing this has also
placed a lot of focus on David making him the
most important person in the shot. This also
helps to show the emotions on his face very
well(1). It can also be used to show objects such
as a piano, guitar and drums. In one shot we see
a variety of instruments (2)at the very beginning
of the music video. This also places more
emphasis that it is a rock band.
• We can see in the studio that only the band
member can be seen and no instruments. This is
to keep focus on the band member and have
more focus on him rather than the instruments.
This focus allows the viewers to see the band
member and focus on his emotions and singing
giving the scenes more power.
(1)
(1)
(2)
8. Costume List
In the music video it is very clear that the members of the band are all wearing similar clothing. This can
be seen in the screenshots provided. The clothes that are worn are all very similar and are very simple
as well. These include a black shirt and jeans however the clothes actual colour is unknown due to the
black and white filter over the music video. The clothes also consists of boots and piercings for some of
the band members. The use of dark clothes also help show that this music video is in the rock genre as
rock bands tend to wear darker clothing As well as piercings. Piercings has links to the genre of rock as
well and is relatable for the fans of the genre. These allow the viewers to feel more connected as the
idea of piercings plays a very important part in the genre of rock.
As seen in the music video we can see that the band members all
wear the same clothing this consist of dark shirts, pants most likely
jeans with boots. All the band members may wear the same clothes
in order to show that these are the band members and to separate
them from the minor characters that appear at the end of the music
video. The dark clothing also helps with the darker tone of the music
video
9. Lighting
• This music video is dark throughout the lighting and the editing have both
been done in a way where most of the scenes appear very dark and have a
grunge tone to them. This helps to make the song feel more emotional
and also fits with the codes and conventions of rock music videos. Most
music video tend not to have a lot of colour and will only have a few
colours. In this music video there are no colours due to the black and
white filter that is placed over the footage in order to make it look more
intense and emotional. In the music video the lack of colour in the video
helps to make the music more emotional as it has a dark sad tone which
makes the video more tense. The lack of lighting also helps to show that
the music video is a sad one and has a darker tone than others. Darkness
links to silence in various ways many people for example link silence to
night time which is dark. There is many other reasons for this as people
can associate things with colours. Black normally being linked to more
darker things like silence and death. For example in this music video the
viewers would not be affected as much if the colour scheme was bright
and colourful as people tend to associate silence with darker colours.
10. Props
Through the music video we can see a variety of props used by the band. In
the video we can see that the band member all carry their own signature
instrument with them throughout the video. Some other props include song
sheets that are seen towards the end of the music video. At the beginning of
the music video we can also see a collection of instruments related to rock
and the song overall. The significance of props being buried or out of reach is
very significant as it creates the feeling of something that we cannot reach.
The drum in the tree is significant as it shows that the band members has to
work to achieve the instrument. The song sheets being buried is also
significant as it shows that people “voices” or song sheets are being buried
and not being heard due to this. These props play a big part in emphasising
the songs message.
11. The band members carrying
their instruments is very
important as it shows their
role in the band as well as
show the viewers that they
are a band member the use
of drums and guitars is also
very common in many rock
music videos. Using the
instruments at the beginning
also show the viewers what
was used in the music video.
The instruments are mainly
used due to them having a
connection to rock music as
a whole and helps to
reinforce that this is a rock
song.
12. The music video also has other
props one of these is music
sheets which can be seen in the
hands of various people towards
the end of the song. This is used
to link to the songs lyrics(People
have songs and voices but cannot
share them). This helps to further
the music video and reinforce the
lyrics of the song. This is also
showing us a traditional music
paper which could be considered
older and can be related to
making older music pieces. Dirt
on the pages is significant as I
discussed before song sheets are
being buried and not being heard
due to this This links to the
message of the song how people
cannot be heard and this is
emphasised by the “song sheets”
or people voices are buried and
cannot be heard.
13. Body language
• Throughout the music video everyone is standing and acting in a very
casual way. This can be seen with the band members as they are walking
through different areas. We can see that one walks very casually by simply
striding and taking big steps as he walks(1).This could shows a battle
against something possibly mental or physical however the big strides
suggest that he is struggling. This can be seen again with other band
members. The lead singer however is seen standing very straight and
facing the camera as he sings the song his body language shows power
and strength as this could also link to how he is helping people in the
song(2). Towards the end of the music video we also see people standing
as they all look very formal and stand tall and straight(3).This ending could
represent some form of victory for the band members as they have
reached their final destination and have found the people they are looking
for.
(1) (2) (3)
14. Codes and conventions
• One of the codes and conventions of rock is clearly used in the music video this is the dark
clothing and shoes. This is one thing that most rock music video include and it is the same in
this music video. It is clear to see that the members are all wearing the same dark clothing
and shoes. This helps the music video as it would stand out greatly if they were wearing
bright clothing. The dark clothing helps the message of the music video and fits with the
them of the song. It also matches the codes and conventions of the genre.
• Another codes and convention that can be seen is the lack of colour in the music video. As
discussed before the lack of colour and overall dark tone of the music video helps to set the theme
of the song and fits with the codes and conventions of the genre. Darkness is a big part of the genre
as the music video would not have as much emphasis if the music video was bright and colourful.
This would contrast the lyrics to the song and would ruin it. Dark colours is also a big part of the
rock genre and the song uses this in order to stick within the codes and conventions.
15. CGI
(was it successful)
• Special effects and CGI were used in the music video the
main one being the Black and white filter along with the
overall editing style of the music video. While all scenes are
recorded in a location it is clear to tell that sometimes the
sky or background has been replaced with a different one.
The best example of this is when the lead singer is seen
singing(1). The background is clearly special effects or some
form of green screen. The background is sky so it looks like
he is in the air. The editing is done well however it is clear
to see that it is edited due to the background choice that is
used. The choice of the editing fits well with the tone of the
song.
(1)
