2. CONCEPT
The video starts with various establishing shots of a mysterious forest, however, as
soon as the video starts, shots of a harsh industry, rusty metal and the protagonist in
rooms cluttered with tools. These shots are here to represent lies and mistakes
covered up, until the protagonist finally acknowledges the mistake, represented by
the shot of flowers decaying/burning. For the chorus, a dark mysterious figure
singing in a shadowy room. The second verse follows the protagonist on a journey
through the mysterious forest. The journeyis less of a physical journey and more of a
mental journey, with the forest representing the protagonists’ growth as he tries to
right his error. The chorus is again sung by the figure in the dark room, but it is
brighter this time, revealing him to be the protagonist. The final verse shows the
protagonist finishing his journey, finding a bright and surreal part of the forest,
symbolising forgiveness. He uses newlyfound powers to right the wrong by
undecaying/burning the flowers in the first few lines of the final chorus, but the rest of
the final chorus shows the room again. However it is now bathed in bright light, and
after finishing the chorus, the protagonist is free and leaves the room.
3. Narrative
The narrative of the video will be linear, showing the journey of the protagonist.
However, the journeyis more abstract and symbolic, being more of an emotional
journey. Lip-sync is mainly reserved for the chorus, but it will be used in some verses,
linking the two scenes together. The narrative will outweigh the performance in terms
of screen time.
The video will seem like a dream sequence, with surreal visuals, extreme angles and
unnatural colouration, however, it will not be explicitly stated. There will be a use of
ellipsis throughout the entire video, as it will focus on only the main events of the
narrative.
In Todorov’s theory, the video takes place over the recognition of disruption,
overcoming of disruption and new equilibrium period. In Barthes's theory, it uses the
symbolic code, as everyaction, location and prop in the video is symbolic of an
emotion or scenario. An example would be the burning flower representing mistakes
done in the past ruining some kind of relationship. The images of rust and cramped
areas represent the protagonist feeling trapped and depressed, while forest
represents the emotional journey to admitting mistakes. The room the chorus takes
place also represents the protagonist feeling trapped, until he leaves and is free at the
end of the song. The flower being repaired is symbolic of the relationship being
repaired after the protagonist admits his mistakes.
4. LOCATION, COSTUME, PROPS
Locations:
Cramped, dark, dusty room- represent the main character trapped by emotions
Dark room (studio)- Represents entrapment, but later begins to mean freedomas the
lighting changes
Forest (damp, twilight)- represents an emotional journey, juxtaposes the dark rooms,
but fits the cramped feel of the video.
Brick wall (where the flower will be burned)- used as a backdrop to the flower burning
clips
A location with rusted metal- used for cutaways at the the start of the song to
represent a decaying relationship.
Costume:
Dark/black casual clothes (shoes, jeans, coat)- this will represent the negativitythe
main character is feeling, while also portraying him as an everyman type character,
making the video relatable.
5. LIGHTING AND COLOUR
The lighting will be dark and moody in the first half. Colours from black and brown as
well as the dark colours of a natural forest. Black is used to show depression and
entrapment by emotions. The video transitions to bright whites in the latter half of the
video to represent freedomand renewal. The lighting will start off low-key in the
studio and become high-key over time. Most of the video, however, will be natural
lighting as it will give the video a less professional, and therefore more indie. The
binary opposite black and white colours links to Levi-Strauss’s theory of opposites
6. CAMERA AND EDITING TECHNIQUES
The video will use slowly moving shots and camera movements in time with the
music to keep up the flow of the video. Fades to and from black are used to give a
negative feeling to the video, but this is opposed by a fade to white at the end.
Medium shots and far shots will be used to create a distance to the protagonist, but
as the video progresses, the shots become closer and closer. This represents the
protagonist repairing his relationship. An overlayof light will be used to show the
protagonist using his powers to unburn the flower, which will be achieved by
reversing the footage. Filters, such as film grain, bad TV, colour filters and saturation
will be used to add meaning to shots and give a surreal feel to the video. Jump cuts
provide the main editing technique of the video, sometimes in time with the music to
create a thought beat. Canted angles are used to show the emotional distress of the
main character. Some footage may be sped up or slowed down for effect.
