Bohemian
Rhapsody is a rock song by the band Queen. The majority of the music video
shows the band playing on stage, giving the impression it is live. The other
parts are filmed on a black background where a large amount of lighting is used
to create different effects, such as silhouette.
The shot that is used most in this video is a medium shot.
This shot is mainly used to show different members of the band and help give
meaning to different aspects of the video.
The main focus of the majority of medium shots is the band’s lead singer
and front man, Freddie Mercury. The director has used medium shots to capture
his costume and performance, which is determined by his expressions and body
language. These factors are all purposely shot, in order to create this star
image of the singer, showing him as an entertainer. Other medium shots show
different members of the band, such as the lead guitarist Brian May. These
shots have been used to capture him with his guitar, which emphasises on the
fact that this is a music video and also puts emphasis on the fact that the
video has been filmed on stage as a live music video.
The next shot that is used a lot is a medium close up shot.
This is mainly used on the silhouette scenes, where the band is shown as a
whole. However throughout the intro, although this is the main shot, the shot
is also made up of a close up of Freddie Mercury’s face. This completes the
shot and has once again been used to show the lead singer and create this star
image, whilst at the same time showing the entire band together.
The first close up we see is of the band’s main singer,
Freddie Mercury, throughout the intro. More shots of the lead singer are
carried on throughout the whole video. This is especially used, when showing
the singer at his piano and is used to show the singers facial expressions,
capturing the performance and effort he puts into his singing.
Different shots are used throughout the video but there are
some shots which are very effective. These are very basic shots but have a lot
of meanings. The first type of shot being an extreme close up. Extreme close
ups are used when showing the music side of the video. Shots like Brian May’s
guitar or Freddie Mercury’s hands playing the keys on the piano are shown
through extreme close ups. I believe these shots have been used in an attempt
to focus the audience’s attention. Medium shots usually show the main focus,
then a bit of the background, giving the audience a chance to take in the whole
composition of the shot. Whereas the extreme close up shots ensure all of the
audience’s attention is focused on the actual footage. This once again puts
emphasis on the fact that this video is a live music video. Another shot is a
low angle shot. This has been used to look up at the band, once again creating
a star image of the band members, conveying how their music has power and
influence. This is extremely relevant to the video as this music video was seen
as the first music video. This video could be played on any show, such as Top
of The Pops, where the band didn’t have to appear. Although music before had
videos this was the first of many to actually have a specific designed and
directed video.
