Task 2.1: Research into existing products (Narrative & Performance - Johnny Cash)

Narrative & Performance (Johnny Cash)

At the beginning of the video when the music is playing, after each bar, the picture changes showing different statues/ornaments around his house. The ornaments are quite biblical and religious figures which reflects on his personality and lets the viewer know a little bit about him through the way he thinks and acts. 

The next thing that you see is a close up of Johnny Cash himself playing the guitar and then it goes into a scene in America with the American flag. The director and producer has done this to give the audience a bit of background knowledge into the life of Johnny Cash as he was very famous in America in his time. The colours of the video are fairly dark apart from the brighter shades of yellow which could symbolise the sun shining on him. Furthermore, this would reflect on how he was a massive star back in his time and is still portrayed as being a star. 

Next, this transitions into a shot of a sign saying "House Of Cash Museum - closed to public". From this shot we can see that the star had an amazing career and was extremely well known so that they even made a museum dedicated to him however, we also know that it is in the present tense due to the fact that it is now closed. Throughout the video, there are black and white clips from when Johnny Cash was younger and in his prime. The black and white indicates that the video is old due to the fact that this video is in colour.  

Later on in the video, there is a close up of Cash's face followed by a wide shot of a picture hanging on a wall in his house. The picture is of a woman who we assume is his mother and she is no longer around. After this, there is a another wide shot which shows a room with some Johnny Cash memorabilia in it. From this setting, we can gather that this was taken at the museum which was dedicated to him but is now closed. The room looks like it was once full but is now bare with broken merchandise. Due to the merchandise being broken, this shows that the museum has been shut for quite a while so he is nowhere near as famous as he used to be. 

There are several close up shots of food which is laid out on a large table. From all of the religious connotations so far in the video, this looks as if it could be symbolism for 'the last supper' which Jesus has before he was crucified. We have only ever seen Johnny Cash present in his house which could mean that he feels isolated and lonely so whoever the big banquette of food is for is a mystery to the audience. 

Towards the end of the video there are several religious connotations such as a low shot of the cross and a montage of images of Jesus and nails being hammered - Jesus being nailed to the cross. These convey Johnny Cash's religious background and how he follows religion. 





















































The lyrics are as follows; 

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real

The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

[Chorus]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end

And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liars chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair

Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

[Chorus]

And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I will keep myself
I would find a way