The music video for the song Savin Me by Nickelback is an incredibly original work of art, actually managing to have an engaging story and be about something meaningful.
Construction of Reality: The video is realistic in the sense that we would react to what is happening in the video the same way that they do. If we were saved by somebody anonymous, and then we suddenly started seeing peoples life spans above their heads, we would probably be just as confused as this guy was. The main idea of the video, seeing lifespans so you can essentially save people and pass on that ability, is a very original and interesting idea to include in a music video. It may not be entirely realistic, but it is definitely something to appreciate and think about.
The songs meaning is conveyed beautifully by the music video. The reality portrayed is that if people had the power to save lives, they would, and essentially that responsibility would pass on to someone else. This reality gives people hope for the good in humanity and also emphasizes the song, which is about needing to be saved. Though the music video fits the songs meaning really well, it may only appeal to a portion of the artist's fanbase. Much of the Nickelback fanbase are the "party hard rock and roll" kinds of people, so a serious song about saving people may not necessarily appeal to that demographic. In that same sense, it may not appeal to the pop culture of today, considering it is not about things that cause immediate pleasure such as sex and drugs, but instead about a meaningful message.
Codes and Conventions: A stereotype used in this video would be shots of the band playing the song in an abandoned building type of setting so as to add dramatic effect to the song. There is also a very typical formula to the song, how it includes repetition of the chorus and a guitar solo. There aren't many typical stereotypes in this rock song, it's much more creative and meaningful than an every day rock song.
Creeds and Values: A value statement that this video is expressing is the importance of helping others when one is given the ability. If someone has the power to help or save someone, such as when the person pulled the lady away from the falling piece of metal, they should act upon it so that the person can do the same for someone else. This is also reflected in the lifestyle choices that are displayed by the characters in the video, choosing to help when given the knowledge to do so. Also the importance of paying it forward, helping after you are helped. No racial differences are shown in this video, equality is EVERYWHERE.
Commercial: This is a very effective way to sell the song. It causes people to look deeper at the meaning of the song, and specifies that it is about life and death, not simply a love interest, which viewers may assume after hearing just the song. The video makes people want to buy the video with the song (I know I did) because it adds a completely new element of creativity to the experience by adding in the story aspect. The target audience would be anyone who is attracted to deep, meaningful lyrics and a compelling story, though it does not appeal to the 'party going' fans that Nickelback tends to have. The video does fit the song very well, and even adds a new layer to the song by giving us another element of creativity to appreciate.
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