After listening to all the songs on Frances's single let it out we finally decided to pick the song Set sail for our music video as we both had the biggest connection towards the lyrics of the song and the meaning behind it.
Frances-Set Sail
They say love is an island
Beautiful at a distance
Some are trying to find it
Some are trying to find a way out
You've been on both sides
Of these rough waters
Somehow you survived
But you came out on your own
And you still need someone
Will you set sail
Will you set sail tonight
Till we see land
Never look back or behind
I don't know if we'll get lost at sea
Or we'll end up where we're supposed to be
Are you brave enough to swim against the tide?
Love leaves you stranded
But that's the way we want it
Safe in our own refuge
No one else will ever reach it
Will you be that someone
Will you set sail
Will you set sail tonight
Till we see land
Never look back or behind
I don't know if we'll get lost at sea
Or we'll end up where we're supposed to be
Are you brave enough to swim against the tide?
Any breaking wave can lead you home
Or turn you upside down and leave you here
With no one here to hurt you
But no one there to save you
Will you risk it all?
Will you set sail
Will you set sail tonight
Till we see land
Never look back or behind
I don't know if we'll get lost at sea
Or we'll end up where we're supposed to be
Are you brave enough to swim against the tide?
(Click to expand)
Exploration of synaesthesia
When listening to the song and reading the lyrics many times I think the overall message of the song which the artist is trying to get across is about how difficult love can be such as finding it, coping with it, and letting go. From the repetition of the rhetorical question 'are you brave enough to swim against the tide?' suggests that the song is aimed at the other person in the relationship asking if their brave enough to cope through the challenging unpredictable moments of being in love.
However It seems she is prepared to move with the relationship as she says 'never look back or behind'.
My favourite thing about the song is the link of the relationship to the ocean as they both have very similar aspects of how unpredictable they are and how quickly things may change between the two.
To me the words set sail mean:
A relationship moving on/ setting free
Fighting through the rough patch of a relationship to get to the other side
To ensure we meet our target audience my partner and I made a focus group. By creating a focus group it allowed us to gather feedback on the positives and negatives of the media products in which we have been researching.
Advantages of focus groups
The main advantages of focus groups are:
they are useful to obtain detailed information about personal and group feelings, perceptions and opinions
they can save time and money compared to individual interviews
they can provide a broader range of information
they offer the opportunity to seek clarification
they provide useful material e.g quotes for public relations publication and presentations
Disadvantages of focus groups
The main disadvantages of focus groups are:
there can be disagreements and irrelevant discussion which distract from the main focus
they can be hard to control and manage
they can to tricky to analyse
they can be difficult to encourage a range of people to participate
some participants may find a focus group situation intimidating or off-putting; participants may feel under pressure to agree with the dominant view
as they are self-selecting, they may not be representative of non-users.
When putting together our focus group, our goal was to come up with a representative sample of our target audience. In order to do this, we began by pinpointing our target audience and creating a profile of a typical member.
Audience Profile
Age: 13-20
Gender: Female
Registrar General’s Social Scale: C2
Selby’s Psychographic Cluster: Drop-outs: who shun commitments of any kind
Description
A typical member of our target audience would be a teenage girl aged 13-20. The teenage girl would most likely to be going through her school years with the emotions of heartache and confusion in which she enjoys listening to calm relatable music in her spare time.
Focus Group
Using this audience profile as our basis, we compiled a group of six people who - to greater and lesser extents - share similarities with our 'typical' target audience member. We will continue to use the exact same focus group throughout our coursework and evaluations.
Sophie Frances Cooke (born 27 June 1993), better known as Frances, is a singer-songwriter originally from Newbury, Berkshire, England.
In August 2014 she was the featured artist for the track "Fire May Save You" for the French music labelKitsuné.The single was released as part of an EP which contained remixes of the same track.In July 2015 she released the EP "Grow" forCommunion Records.In October 2015 she released the EP "Let it Out". In November 2015 she was shortlisted for the 2016 BRIT Awards: Critics' Choice Award. In December 2015 she was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2016.
Don't worry about me - Frances (performance video)
Say it again - Frances (performance video)
Frances covers a variety of genres including pop, indie and soul.
Indie pop signifies - confidence, passion, talent, perseverance, courage, will and strength
Why Frances?
From the beginning my partner and I decided we wanted to choose a female singer who doesn't have a massive fan base so that the song we choose for our music video won't be as well known as others from the same genre. Finding the artist wasn't difficult at all. As I already listen to similar artists France's name came suggested on online streaming sites such as YouTube and Spotify.
When giving her songs a listen we both instantly fell in love with the tone of her voice and how unique it is.
To create a music video to a song which is not your own you need to either get permission from the artist, composers, lyricists and music publishers. The reason is because it will be seen as breaking the copyright rules and is known as plagiarism as you do not have or own any rights over the music.
Frances is under the record label Communion.
Communion Music is an independent music company, made up of Communion Records, Communion Presents, and Communion Publishing. It has offices in London and Brooklyn, NY. In its capacity as a label, promoter and publisher it currently works with a wide range of artists including Catfish and the Bottlemen, Ben Howard, James Bay, George Ezra, Bear's Den, Nathaniel Ratefliff and the Night Sweats, Daughter and Highly Suspect. http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/
On the 15th September 2016 I contacted Helen from Communion records seeking her permission to use the song Set Sail by Frances. In the formal email I mentioned my age, studies and where I came from as I found out from research Frances also grew up in Berskire.
"Hi,
My name is Danielle. I'm a 17 year student who is currently studying Media studies at Newlands Girls School in Berkshire. For my A2 media project I have to create a music video promo which I am seeking permission from you to do so.
The Artist under your Label who I'd like to use is Frances with the chosen song of 'Set Sail'.
Frances is one of my favourite singers and I'd be so grateful for your approval of the song for my project as its for an educational purpose. The final product will be put onto YouTube under our school's account, Newlandsmediastudies. It will also benefit other students with their studies for future inspiration when creating a music video.
I have the best intentions to promote your music!"
Thank you for your time
Danielle Whitelaw
As we didn't get a reply we decided to contact the singer directly through her twitter account.
"Hi,My name
is Danielle. I'm a 17 year student who is currently studying Media studies at
Newlands Girls School in Berkshire. For my A2 media project I have to create a
music video promo which I am seeking permission from you to do so.
I
would like to use your song Set Sail.
You are one of my favourite singers and I'd be so grateful for your approval of the song for my project as its for an educational purpose. The final product will be put onto YouTube under our school's account, Newlandsmediastudies. It will also benefit other students with their studies for future inspiration when creating a music video.
I have the best intentions to promote your music!"
What is a record label? (Wikipedia) A record label or record company is a brand or trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Often, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing, promotion, and enforcement of copyright for sound recordings and music videos; conducts talent scouting and development of new artists ("artists and repertoire" or "A&R"); and maintains contracts with recording artists and their managers. The term "record label" derives from the circular label in the center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer's name, along with other information.
Within the mainstream music industry, recording artists have traditionally been reliant upon record labels to broaden their consumer base, market their albums, and be both promoted and heard on music streaming services, radio, and television. Record labels provide publicists, who assist performers in gaining positive media coverage, and arrange for their merchandise to be available via stores and other media outlets.
However an increasing number of artists have sought to avoid costs and gain new audiences via the Internet, often with the help of videos. Combined with the decline in album sales and rapid growth in free content available online, this has changed the way industry works dramatically since the beginning of the 21st century. It has caused record labels to seek new sources of profit, in particular via "360" deals (see below under "new label strategies").
Record companies and music publishers that are not under the control of the big three are generally considered to be independent (indie), even if they are large corporations with complex structures. The term indie label is sometimes used to refer to only those independent labels that adhere to independent criteria of corporate structure and size, and some consider an indie label to be almost any label that releases non-mainstream music, regardless of its corporate structure.
Independent labels are often considered more artist-friendly. Though they may have less financial clout, indie labels typically offer larger artist royalty with 50% profit-share agreement, aka 50-50 deal, not uncommon.
The poster consists of a medium close up of Lana Del Reys face which makes the auidence feel like they are being directly looked at. This makes them feel like they are the targeted auidence and it is directed just at them. In the image Lana looks very serious which goes with her brand image of being unique.
The advertisment is nearly identical to the CD cover, this is done as a selling tool. It is also a convention of the role of an advert that is promoting an album/ artist, they often enlarge the album cover.
The same colour scheme as the album has been used. Pastel blue, white and red which is pleasing to the eye. These three colours also symbolise the American flag.
Billboards
Purpose of billboards;
Catch the individuals attention, provide information or promote new product.
The front panel displays a medium close up of Lana's face and body. The shot allows us to see her costume as it's taken from her waist upwards. The simplicity of the design allows us as the audience to focus on Lana's vintage style and character. star image is created through direct eye contact between her and the camera.
Inside Panel 1
We are given this continued theme through the Mise-en-Scene of vintage and classiness represented from the inside of the digipak with a spreading image across two panels. Lana continues this placid and innocent expression that could be a contradiction to the albums name "Born To Die" giving the artwork a narrative. One not being specific but giving the albums name, she could be waiting for the moment of her death to become apparent. However the image doesn't necessarily express a story about the artist, apart from a representation of her style and character.
The C.D has a white background with three roses which represents innocence and purity. As the roses are very bold and striking I think there is a strong connection to power and strength. These flowers are also to be found at funerals which links back to the album name "Born To Die".There is no title name on the C.D as it has been designed to draw attention to the flowers.
Back Panel and Side Panel
The back and side panel are very minimalistic as it only consits of two colours blue and white. The writing used is the same as the writing on the front cover so when people are to pick the C.D up they will identify it as Lana Del Rey's album by just looking at the writing. The American flag is now the apparent symbolisation as links have been made to the tracking list, National Anthem and Million dollar Man.Million dollar Man.
Lana Del Rey: Born To Die - Deconstruction of music video
Lana Del Rey
Elizabeth Woolridge Grant(born June 21, 1985),better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer, songwriter, and model. Born and raised in New York, Del Rey embarked on a music career in 2005 and first received widespread attention in 2011, when the music video for her single "Video Games" became a viral internet sensation. Del Rey received further recognition after her major-label debut Born to Die peaked at number two on the U.S. charts and was the fifth best-selling album of 2012. A remix of its single "Summertime Sadness", produced by Cedric Gervais, peaked at number six on the U.S., and the Paradise EP followed that November, garnering Del Rey her first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album. Three of the EP's tracks were featured in her short film Tropico, which premiered in December 2013.
Current Record Label
Interscope Records
Interscope Recordsis an American recording companythat is a division of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, whose parent is the Universal Music Group, a subsidiary of Vivendi S.A.
Interscope was founded in 1989 by Jimmy Lovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture with Time Warner's Atlantic Records. At the time, it differed from most record companies by giving decision-making authority to its A&R staff, and allowing artists and producers complete creative control. It had its first hit records less than a year after it was founded and achieved profitability in 1993.
In 1992, Interscope acquired the exclusive rights to market and distribute the hardcore rap label Death Row. Albums by Death Row artists including Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg were at the center of the mid-'90s gangsta rap controversy. As a result, Time Warner severed ties with Interscope by selling its 50 percent stake back to Field and Iovine for $115 million in 1995. In 1996, 50% of the label was acquired by the MCA Music Entertainment Group for a reported $200 million.
'Born to die'
'Born To Die'
My oh me, my
Feet don't fail me now
Take me to your finish line
Oh my heart it breaks every step that I take
But I'm hoping that the gates, they'll tell me that you're mine
Walking through the city streets
Is it by mistake or design
I feel so alone on a Friday night
Can you make me feel like home if I tell you you're mine
Don't make me sad, don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough I don't know why
Keep making me laugh,
Lets go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime
Come take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane,
So choose your last words, this is the last time
Cause you and I, we were born to die
Lost but now I am found
I can…
Synopsis
"Born To Die" by Lana del Rey is about the wild romance, true love, heartache, loss and growing up, underpinned by the opening line that set's the scene as her having already lost; journeying the road to recovery and reminiscing on the journey her and her lover traveled together and that she desperately wants to turn back time. We can tell her relationship is toxic as her facial expressions look dull and lifeless throughout . As she sings the words "born to die" I think it means that she wants to live each day like its her last, in other words doesn't care what isn't good for her.
Plot summary (Wikipedia)
The video begins with Del Rey seen standing topless in the arms of a tattooed man, played by model Bradley Soileau, with the American flag as a backdrop. This is actually an animated version of the single cover art. The scene is followed by the singer leaving her home and joining her boyfriend for a long car trip. As they enter the car, they start to smoke marijuana together and make out before leaving. While on the road, the relationship of the couple is revealed to be unstable, as Del Rey is forced to kiss her boyfriend while expressing sadness. The trip intercuts with scenes of the couple staying at a luxurious hotel, where they are seen lying on a bed together with the boyfriend ominously holding Del Rey's throat at one point. As Del Rey makes her way out the hotel, the scene cuts back to an apparent car accident, with the singer's bloodied corpse being carried by her lover as a huge fire burns behind them. Also, the video intercuts scenes shot at the Palace of Fontainebleau, showing Del Rey sitting on a throne with tigers
Timeline
00:00-00:12: The video opens with a mid shot of two naked people hugging. Her restricted body posture suggests the entrapment of the relationship. The American flag in the background also sets location and informs us of nationality.
00:13-00:45: The next shot transitions from a tilt down into a close up zoom of the girls face (Lana). Everything in the room creates and in forces Lana's power from the two tigers guarding her at her throne to the grand high ceilings of the open church plan. At 00:35 Lana puts her hand over her heart, her body language implies to occurrence of recent heart break.
00:46-01:10: The relationship of the two is revealed through a mid shot. The shot is flashback of Lana running towards her boyfriend looking happy in love. We know it's a flashback as colour grading has been applied as a filter.
01:11-01:56: As Lana sings the words "Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough I don't know why" The camera transitions from a zoom to a close up. The focal point of the shot is Lana's eyes. When she begins to sing her eyes roll to the left in a awkward manor suggesting the ignorance of other peoples views on the relationship. The next shot has a link to the eye roll as we see an over the shoulder of the two kissing and smoking. The shot also foreshadows danger as a red filter has been added to the guys hand gesture of a gun pointing towards her head.
01:57-02:40: The high angle shot of Lana in a bed full of flowers makes her look weak and powerless. As she sings the words “Lost but now I am found” the video transitions within seconds to a fade in fade out of her boyfriend lying next to her, however she cannot see him, or has chosen to ignore him. After a few fillers the video goes back to the shot of them in bed together, but this time her boyfriends hands are wrapped around her neck. At 02:16 another death threat message is shown as he slices his neck with his fingers looking directly at her.
02:41-04:11: A different setting has now been located trough a mid-shot. The mid shot transitions to a close up of us looking at the driver of the car through the front wind screen. His facial expressions suggests he's planning something evil as he has a smirk on his face. As Lana says the words “Born to Die” her fingers trace over her neck when her boyfriend then decides to take his hands off the wheel and violently kiss her. The cars bright white headlights and slow moving architecture shots of the church walls symbolise heaven and peace. Meaning she has died.
04:11-04:46: To confirm her death we see her boyfriend holding her dead body. As the mid shot zooms out we also see the car on fire. The video is drawn to a close as we are re introduced to the opening.
To get a precise and good understanding of the video and its concept I re-watched it many times.
Analysis
Overall Shots/ Camera Angles
Total Time- 04:46
Total Shots- 54
Zoom In- 7
Zoom Out- 4
Mid- 17
Low Mid- 1
Low Angle- 4
High Angle- 1
Tilt Down- 2
Long Distance- 2
Close Up- 8
Low Close Up- 1
Over the Shoulder- 5
Tilt- 1
Pan- 1
Tracking- 1
Mise-en-Scene
Setting and Location
(Behind the Scenes)
Born To Die was filmed at the Palace of Fontainebleau in France. They used a significantly higher budget than a normal music video would need as real tigers were used as props.The video was intended to be set in heaven which was represent by a Romanian Castle.
Interview about the tigers;
"I always feel uncomfortable spending anyone's money, but I really did want the tigers, just because of what they symbolize to me, and just visually, they're so striking." she laughed. "I always like the vision of a girl in a white nightgown with two majestic tigers. (In one scene), I was sitting on the throne first, and then I had to leave the room and then he tiger was filmed right by the throne, and then sliced in... Tigers and women can't be in the same room, even if the tiger is female, because of the pheromones."
Costume and Makeup
Lana’s makeup is flawless. There are no imperfections on her skin or body. The whole image of her looking flawless has been made to give the impression that she is now in heaven. What’s very striking about her makeup is her red lipstick. The meaning of red lipstick is to increase sex appeal, which her unstable relationship seems to resemble.
Her boyfriend in the video is covered from head to toe in tattoos and stretchers which gives him a badass scruffy look.
Lana has four different costume changes:
All the costume changes are white which represents purity and heaven
Naked body
White long structured dress and flower crown
White silk dress
White leather tassel jacket with shorts
Focus group
I asked members of the focus group to see what they had to say about the video:
"I like the fact this music video is different from any other music video I've ever watched. They have been very clever when creating it using two different setting and locations to identify different tenses, which makes the audience reflect negatively on the actions taken of the boyfriend towards Lana Del Rey."
"Throughout the video we can clearly see star image has been created through lighting, costume and makeup. Lana's white costume changes reflects innocence and purity and symolises heaven. I love the way the idea of heaven is also shown through the church with close ups of its architecture."
" Lana Del Rey's videos are always different however thy always have some link towards the american culture which I think is very cleaver. The only thing that I don't understand about the video is why there are two tigers guarding her as the explanation behind it is not made clear in the video."
When researching promotional posters there was none for Birdys first release, Birdy. However I did find a poster for her current album "Beautiful Lies". As a substitute for not having her promotional poster to show I am going to analyse one of her posters supporting a tour date of the album "Birdy" which I imagine to be very similar if she was to create a promotional poster in 2011.
Artist logo
Artist name
Artist right of poster
Childlike clothes with 'no makeup' makeup look and untouched hair
information of release
website for further information
Contact details
Minus a few additions made, the magazine promotional poster for the album, Birdy, uses the same Typeface as the front panel of the digipak. It is likely that this is for the purpose of artists recognition: if a person is familiar with the image on the front cover of the album, it will make it easier for them to locate it in a shop. However there are a few different things from the digipak which have been added to the poster such as contact information, an email address and a bold text which says "DEBUT ALBUM 'BIRDY' IS OUT NOW" the capital letters along side of the bigger logo font is informing us about the artist and their release date. The font has been made bigger and bolder to attract and catch peoples eyes for the artists recognition.
The most important panel of the digipak is the front panel as it is the image which will represent the artist's album and is the panel which will draw the audience to buy the album.
As this was Birdy's first release it was crucial to capture star image to boost sales of recognition, this has been done by;
Album title - The title of the album is located top left in a thin delicate font which is well suited for her genre Indie-pop as it's very subtle. The album has been named after the singers stage name 'Birdy' which has purposely been done to promote her name.
Positioning - To remind us of star image Birdy is located center of the panel. As her legs are crossed her body language suggests she is shy and uncomfortable.
Costume - Similarly to the music video 'Skinny love' Birdy is also wearing a very childlike costume which reflects her lack of control.
Hair and makeup - Her face makeup looks very natural and untouched however like in the music video 'Skinny love' her identity is hidden through her hair.
Setting - The setting of the panel looks like a wall in an old house.
When researching location I found a photo of the backdrop used from the shoot.
The minimalistic theme runs throughout newer release of Birdy's work.
Birdys typical font:
Inside panel 1
over exposed close up of Birdy
Black and white filter
Long wavy hair covering the right corner of her eye
No makeup
Setting - Outdoors against fence
Copyright information
Current Record label
The inside panel is a bit different from the front as it is apparent that she is now outdoors. The continuation of the vintage theme has been carried on through the grainy black and white filter applied to the original image. Her youth is also shown through the over exposed photo as we now see no flaws in her face.
Releasing an album should be happy moment for an artist however the expression on her doesn't show this, in fact the mystery as to why she looks miserable and upset all the time continues the enigma. Inside Panel 2
Technically speaking the C.D isn't a panel however I decided to consider it as an inside panel as it still has an image on the disc which fits with the theme of her album.
The Album consists of these elements;
Copyright information
Record label
Album title
Artist's logo
Background image
The photo on the C.D follows the vintage theme as I think the image is an extreme close up of the damaged wallpaper from one of the wall of her music videos in the album.
The C.D itself has had a number of conventional features superimposed on to it. The artists logo and the title of the album take precedence. As is customary, the logo of the artists current record label. Copyright information is visible around the perimeter of the C.D; the design of the legal information is unobtrusive, so it does no detract from the main image on the C.D.
Back Panel and Side Panel
(Back Panel)
Barcode
Background image
Track list
Record label
The design for the back panel of the digipak is very minimalistic; it could be described as 'no nonsense'. The panel has carried the extreme close up of the wallpaper from the C.D, however it is a different section of the print. The back panel includes all of the conventional features: the track list, the record labels' logos, and the barcode.
(Side Panel)
Artist logo
Album title
Record label
Side panels are typically minimalistic, consisting merely of the artists logo, the title of the album, and the record label's logo. It is important for the side panel not to be too 'busy' so that it does not obscure the key information.
Birdy: Skinny Love - Promotional video deconstruction
Birdy
Birdy also known as Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde (born 15 May 1996) is a British musician singer song writer. She won the music competition open Mic UK, at the age of 12. Her debut single a version of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love", was her breakthrough,charting all across Europe and earning platinum certification six times in Australia. Her self-titled debut album, Birdy, was released on 7 November 2011 to similar success, peaking at number 1 in Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands. Her second studio album, Fire Within, was released 23 September 2013 in the UK and the other surrounding countries. Beautiful Lies, her third studio album, was released on 25 March 2016 through Atlantic Records.
Current Record Label
Birdy is currently signed under the record label of 14th Floor Records.
14th Floor Records is a British subsidiarity record label of Warner Music UK. founded in 2002 by part owner Christian Tattersfield. The label has released albums by artists including: Biffy Clyro, Damien Rice, David Gray, Longview, Mark Joesphy, Nerina Pallot, Ray LaMontagne and The Wombats.
Current artists signed to 14th Floor Records include:
Biffy Clyro
Damien Rice
Joshua Radin
Marmaduke Duke
Birdy
You&Me
Beyond Broken
'Skinny Love'
'Skinny Love'
Come on skinny love just last the year
Pour a little salt we were never here
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer
I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Right in the moment this order's tall
I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
In the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different kind
'Cause I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines
Come on skinny love what happened here
Suckle on the hope in lite brassiere
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Sullen load is full, so slow on the split
I told…
Synopsis
I think the music video shows a girl exploring the memories of her broken relationship in an abandoned house. The way Birdy walks past the walls touching them very subtly and lightly implies that she is trying to grip onto her past. Their are lots of hidden messages in the music video which could foreshadow recent events. For example, the broken class on the floor 1:43, by her stepping over the glass suggests shes that she has moved on from her past.
Personally I think the meaning of the song is about the the kind of love which is weak and easily broken. As the song is called skinny Love I feel that it has a slight message about being Anorexic/ Bulimic.The girl in the video may of became depressed as she cared too much for a person who cared too little towards her, and as a result she wasn't nourished enough meaning she became skinny mentally and physically.I also think the song is about a broken relationship based on the need of someones presence of a love that is no longer there. By the repetition of the title of the song 'Skinny Love' Birdy is trying to inform us on how easily love can be broken between two. Skinny could also be interpreted into meaning there is no longer the weight of a relationship.
Timeline
00:00-00:15: The video begins with a fade in mid still shot of objects associated with earth and nature. (One of the objects is of a small china angle which may foreshadow death and heaven). The shot is followed by a low angle of a piano which is being played to the beat of the song.
00:16-00:33: The identity of the person playing the piano is hidden through a series of over the shoulder shots. (The over the shoulder shots continue of the girl facing a window and walking up two flights of stairs) The identity of the character slowly starts to be reveled as the focus on the girl begins to get clearer. The last shot for this 17 second time gap is a mid of the girl sat at an angle where the side of her face has been disguised with her long thick wavy hair.
0:34:0:50: We are finally introduced to who the girl is however her face has no contact with the camera in fact the way her eyes are looking down and her change of expression gives the audience the impression that she is upset and hiding something. I also noticed that the lighting is very dark which continues enigma of location and the girl.
0:51-1:14: An over the shoulder shot reveals the mystery girls costume. The girl is wearing a long white gown/dress which is pulled in at the waist by a big bow. It has been made apparent that she is wearing a very childlike outfit suggesting her being stuck in the past. The word "past" has very strong connection to the next shot of a hanging clock which creates a clear message of passing of time.
1:15-1:42: The shot is followed by a high angle of the girl walking down a squared staircase, as it is a high angle shot it tells us that as a character she is in fact very weak and small. To the right of the stairs are two old paintings male and female which hold very similar characteristics and expressions to the girl at 00:00-00:15.
1:43-2:16: 1:43 An important clip from this time gap is of a high angle shot of broken glass. The broken glass is important as it resembles a broken relation and by the girl stepping over the glass proves she has moved on from past events.
2:17-3:33 The final shot is very interesting as we are see the same objects to the opening which draws the story to a close.
Anaylsis
Overall Shots/ Camera Angles
Total Time- 3:33
Total Shots- 44
Mid-13
Low Angle-3
High Angle-5
Over the Shoulder (behind)-8
Tracking-6
Close Up-5
Long Distance-1
Tilt-2
Pan-1
From the results of the Pie Chart the most common camera angle used was a mid shot. I think the reason for the director deciding on so many mid shots is because it allows us to have focus on the characters face but still showing setting/location.
Mise-en-Scene
Setting and Location
I was unsuccessful to finding any further information online to where Skinny Love was filmed but from my observations I came to the conclusion that there was one main location for filming, an abandoned house. The low-key dark lighting used throughout the video implies the element of mystery in which is accompanied by isolation.
Costume and Makeup
The character of the girl in the video looks very young and innocent. The long dress she is wearing which has a massive bow on the back reminds me of something your mum would force you to wear as a child.
The makeup in the video is also very minimalistic which follows her childlike personality and appearance. Throughout the first half of the video her face has been covered up by her long wavy beach curls which highlights her lack in confidence and self esteem.
Focus group
I asked members of the focus group to see what they had to say about the video:
"The video is beautifully constructed. I think it represents the feeling of being lost in love. When making this music video I reckon they had a hard time as they didn't want it to be constantly compared to the original by Bon Iver. At times I did find it hard to understand the meaning as I wasn't sure on the era."
"Birdy is one of my favorite artists in general so the fact that she is the actress in the video puts my full attention on her. I could re-watch this many times, in fact I already have and have no regrets about it! Its such an emotional song that is very relatableat moments. I think the innocence of the character allows us the sympathies her going through a hard time."
"I love the way Birdy has incorporated her favorite instrument of piano into the video as it compliments her voice perfectly! I think the use of natural lighting hitting against the dark colours and shadows puts the finishing touches to the video.
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