Chris Cunningham

Works by Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham is a British director who primarily works on music videos for other artists, here I will be focusing on two of his music videos:

• ·         Madonna ‘Frozen’- 1998
• ·         Aphex Twin ‘Come to Daddy’- 1997

Frozen- This video features a surreal and mystical theme, there is a use of grey and black imagery such as Madonnas dress and the location is that of a grey and stormy beach, there are surreal moments in the video such as the shot where black liquid moves towards Madonnas hands, almost in reverse, the use of crows gives the video a gothic theme, the use of editing makes the video seem out of the ordinary with the three Madonna’s dancing together.

Come to daddy- this video is almost almost like a horror film, the use of camera effects make the video seem blurry and distorted, the director uses a grey filter to make the video seem dull, they still follow the 'out of the ordinary' theme with the kids with the strange distorted faces, there is a violent theme as the kids go around attacking people, there is a distorted face in the video that keeps on appearing on screen saying "I want to eat your soul" this makes the viewer feel unsettled, the use of an old woman being attacked makes the viewer feel sad for her, the creature in the end has a disfigured and bony figure, a large mouth and screams at the old woman this gives the video a horror theme.

The two music videos, while different, still seem like they are made by the same director, both use similar, dark, colours, both have a surreal theme with editing techniques and special effects. Despite the contrast between the videos, tame/extreme, they both have similar themes and effects to give off the impression that they are in the same genre of music videos, this could've been the directors intentions as he might want to be well known for making dark and surreal music videos.

Main Music Video Research part 4

http://a2-chchs-james-donovan-media-17-18.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/eminem-rap-god.html