RM - Pitch Idea 1: Muse - Dark Shines

My idea for a music video is Muse’s “Dark Shines” which features a performance and narrative aspect.

Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon. The band consists of Mathew Bellamy (Vocalist and lead guitarist), Christopher Wolstenholme (Bassist) and Dominic Howard (Drummer).

The band have had five studio albums entitled “Showbiz” (1999), “Origin of Symmetry” (2001), “Absolution” (2003), “Black Holes and Revelations” (2006) and “The Resistance” (2009), the band are currently in the studio writing material for their next album. The band has also released two live albums entitled “Hullabaloo” and “H.A.A.R.P”. Both of these contain a live DVD performance as well as this they have also released a DVD of their Glastonbury 2004 performance called “Absolution Tour”.

“Dark Shines” is on the album “Origin of Symmetry”


The performance aspect will feature live footage that I’ve recorded of Muse performing this song at Leeds Festival, this year. This will be linked into the narrative aspect by the protagonist watching the performance on a computer screen in his room, which is full of Muse memorabilia.


As well as this part of the performance element of the music video would consist of a band performing live in a smaller location, this would allow the access to gain close-ups of the performance and wouldn’t mean the only live footage was from Leeds festival.


The narrative part of the music video will feature the protagonist thinking about a girl he likes, whom has a dark nature about her, but knows he won’t get which tortures him. This will feature of the close-ups of the girl face and himself imaging being with the girl. The dark nature of the girl is shown by shots of the protagonist watching the girl with her friends – whom when sees him points and laughs at him. This aspect could also include the girl walking off or kissing someone in a cafe with the protagonist watching her. This would allow the use of male and female gazes and cross-cutting the past, present and future.


Towards the end of the music video the focus will then turn back onto the protagonist whom gets annoyed with himself and lashes out. During this sequence the protagonist will start trashing his room and then puts his hands on his head over the table. After this the door opens and an over the shoulder of one of his parents stands looking at the mess he has just caused.

Album recording:



Performance footage taken at Leeds Festival 2011: