2. 7 features of music videos
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in metal videos,
dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images.
(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual
reflects that of the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and
the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).
5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages,
etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work (a visual style).
7. There are often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc).
3. The Weeknd’s real name is Abel Tesfaye, but was inspired to create the stage name The Weeknd after one weekend “he left
and never came home”. ‘Starboy’ is The Weeknd’s third studio album which was released on 25th November 2016. The
album was released after five singles ‘Starboy’, ‘I Feel It Coming’, ‘Party Monster’, ‘Reminder’ and ‘Rockin’’.
‘Starboy’ features ’Daft Punk’ who are a French electronic music duo who have also worked with The Weeknd on his song ‘I
Feel It Coming’. ‘XO’ was formed by The Weeknd in 2012 as a record label under Universal Music Group and distributed
through Republic Records.
The music video starts with The
Weeknd suffocating another, older
version of himself with dreadlocks. This
was done to show that he didn't want to
be know as the singer with dreadlocks,
so he shows that side to him ending at
the start of the album meaning the
‘Starboy’ album is a new or different
version of The Weeknd. The video then
follows the darker side to The Weeknd
as he trashes the house and destroys
awards for himself.
4. Typical R&B videos will show the
artists with lots of possessions
such as a big house, expensive
cars, money and often with lots of
females around them. However, in
the ‘Starboy’ video it is just The
Weeknd, with no one else,
however he is shown with a big
house and expensive cars and lots
of awards to show off his
achievements. Another song from
the ‘Starboy’ album is ‘False
Alarm’, which has a much more
alternative R&B video with more
violence. Themes like violence,
women and showing off
possessions are usually seen in
Rap videos or Hip Hop, as an
aspiration. The music video for
‘False Alarm’ is based on a
hostage and money. This video is
similar to ‘Starboy’ and it focuses
on him throughout the video in first
person perspective, which is
revealed to be The Weeknd at the
end of the video. Both the videos
are of R&B genre, however, this
can be shown differently, either
through a violent video or a video
The music genre of ‘Starboy’
is Pop and R&B, this may
have influenced The
Weeknd’s music video for
‘Starboy’ to be darker or
more alternative, rather than
aspirational. The video
focuses on The Weeknd
rather than any extra people,
there is a painting shown of
’Daft Punk’ to show who else
was an influence to the
song. The house used is
very modern and empty to
show wealth and a luxury
lifestyle which a number of
R&B singers have and show
through their videos. The
house also has framed
awards which The Weeknd
has previously won which he
then smashes with a huge
neon cross. This is related to
the new or darker side to
The Weeknd and destroying
the older version of himself.
He also wears a cross
necklace in the video as an
identity rather than his
‘Starboy’ video
5. This video is not narrative which means the video doesn’t show what is said in the lyrics. However, the video does have some links to the lyrics as well as being
disjunctive and showing more of a aspiration or lifestyle. the visuals can show something different to the lyrics to build more of a story and to show more to the artist
rather than narrating the music video with the lyrics.
The lyrics do however represent the setting and aspects of the video as
certain points. At 1.18 into the video the lyrics are “House so empty, need
a centrepiece” and the visuals show the painting of ‘Daft Punk’ which is not
related to the lyrics. However a few seconds before this the visuals show the
house which is very modern and empty, which may be read as a link to the
lyrics which follow. At 1.43 into the video we see The Weeknd with the neon
cross which is the new symbol of ’Starboy’ and the metaphor it may
represent. The visuals show him dragging it along the floor past his framed
awards as the lyrics are “Look what you've done!”; which may be interpreted
that the cross is a symbol of the ‘new’ version of The Weeknd and that
something bad may happen, or that it is someone else's fault, maybe his older
self. We don’t actually hear the lyrics ‘Starboy’ until 1.48 into the video, and
the visuals shown are The Weeknd smashing awards and trophies he had
previously won. This may represent that the ‘Starboy’ is more alternative and
an ‘alter ego’ or another version to himself. Then later in the song at 2.51,
they lyric is again ‘Starboy’ and the visuals show him throwing a lighter into
his wardrobe with all his old clothes whilst dressed in black and wearing his
signature cross necklace. This could again be inferred as an ’alter ego’ or
metaphor for a new beginning of The Weeknd. At 3.21 we see The Weeknd
walking past a number of new and expensive cars, with the lyrics “We don't
pray for love, we just pray for cars”. This may portray his lifestyle, or the
lifestyle he aspires to have as he isn’t bothered about anything or anyone else
other than materialistic things, like cars.
6. The first 45 seconds of the video are very dramatic and use
short cuts with frequent editing to show the older version of
The Weeknd being suffocated. This is an introduction to the
video before the song starts. The music isn’t from the song and
has a piano or organ sound to add an eerie effect. After 20
seconds the music stops and the camera cuts to the table with
The Weeknd sitting at either end, the music also cuts to a
special effects sound which is very similar to how the start of
‘The hills’ starts, which is an older song by The Weeknd. This
sound is played every few cuts whilst he is being strangled
before cutting to black when the song starts. The whole of the
video uses low lighting and blue hues to create a darker
setting. This also makes it appear to be night time, rather than
the day when natural lighting could be used. The artificial blue
lights make the house look dark but lamps and other regular
lights are also used to create a more regular setting and to
make it look like a home. The neon red cross stands out with
the blue, which could represent anger in a calm environment.
During the chorus the beat sounds like smashing or hitting
something which is when the lyrics are “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-
ha-ha-ha” and the visuals show The Weeknd starting to smash
the awards. This amplifies the music as the visuals are
showing an the awards being smashed which sounds just like
the music beat. This is then shown later in the video again
when he is smashing the chandelier and more awards. The
beat continues throughout the song however the end of the
video shows The Weeknd driving smoothly where the beat is
no longer showing the smashing but is now contradicting with
the visuals.
7. The Weeknd often uses close ups
in this video and virtually all his
other music videos. This is done
to create a relationship between
the audience and himself, which
will make him appear more
approachable. Close ups have
been used in his other music
videos to ensure the audience
keep a relationship with him
which will increase the number of
fans he has. In other music
videos he has used mirrors to
create interesting effects when
filming, however in ‘Starboy’ most
effects are created with the lights
and the neon cross. In this video
mirrors and elaborate camera
angles haven’t been used,
although they have been used in
his other videos. However, The
Weeknd has developed a certain
style which he emphasises in his
music videos and performances.
He wears all black clothing,
including boots or trainers, jeans,
t-shirt and leather or bomber
jacket. This makes him stand out
for keeping a consistent style
throughout his videos and tours.
The Weeknd also founded his own
record label called ‘XO’ in 2012 which
is owned by Universal Music Group
and distributed through Republic
Records. He references ‘XO’ through
his songs and videos as well as
merchandise. Although there are no
lyrical references to ‘XO’ in ‘Starboy’,
there is in the song ‘Reminder’. ‘XO’
is a smaller motif which The Weeknd
carries through his songs and career.
One motif which is greatly shown
through The Weeknd’s work is the
signature cross. This is a symbol he
has carried with him through a
number of music videos. It is
especially noticeable in ‘Starboy’ as
he wears a cross necklace and there
is the neon cross he uses to destroy
his awards. This visual has been in a
number of his music videos such as
‘Reminder’, ‘False Alarm’, ‘Part
Monster’, ‘I Feel It Coming’ and older
videos such as ‘The Hills’. This motif
is sometimes discrete and hidden,
such as on a necklace, and other
times it is part of the video, like in
‘Starboy’. The Panther has also been
featured in a small video by The
Weeknd which is 12 minuets long
The Weeknd has also been known for wearing his own merchandise in
videos or performances. The clothing usually features ’The Weeknd’,
‘Starboy’ or his record label ‘XO’. This will encourage sales of his
merchandise as fans will see him wearing the clothes in music videos and
buy it for themselves. He doesn't wear any merchandise in the music
video for ‘Starboy’ but he does in other videos such as ‘Reminder’; where
he also has his friends and musicians wearing his merchandise.
‘Starboy’ video
‘Reminder’ video
8. The notion of looking has been used
in this video. There is direct eye
contact between The Weeknd and
the camera regularly throughout the
video, which will make the audience
and fans feel involved and
connected to the artist. The eye
contact is not continuous throughout
the video due to other visuals and
the story of video, however, the
looking is done purposely for
specific points in the video. The
R&B genre means that eye contact
is expects with the camera, but also
the image of there not being a
camera present is expected. This
means that the audience can
sometimes feel like they are part of
the video, rather than just fans.
There are no females or other
people in this video so there is no
poor treatment of women or using
them as objects or just something to
put there.
There is also the notion of looking at objects within the video, this includes when The Weeknd is looking at the awards
on the walls. This has been done to make the audience look without having to use a close up or extreme close up
camera angle to point out the obvious. This will help the audience to see specific details or for the production and artist
to add details or hide ‘Easter eggs’ of the artist in the video. In the music video for ‘Starboy’ the awards around the
house are from his previous work, however at the beginning of the video he hilled his older self, which could be
foreshadowing or referencing a new beginning.
The Weeknd looks at the camera at important points either to make the lyrics seem more powerful or maybe to make
the video more dramatic, as well as connecting with the audience. This has been used when the lyrics are “Look what
you've done!” and The Weeknd is making eye contact with the camera, this could be interpreted as his change is the
audience’s fault.
9. The main story of the video is that The Weeknd is beginning a new era or a
new version of himself and his music. He kills the older version of himself at
the beginning of the video and the video shows him destroying all the awards
he won. This is because the music video is the end of the older version of
The Weeknd and the star of the new version and the ‘Starboy’ ego. The song
‘Starboy’ was first released as a single and the start of the ‘Starboy’ album
movement. This then meant all his other singles from the album would follow
such as “I Feel It Coming’, ‘Party Monster’, ‘Reminder’ and ‘Rockin’’. The
‘Starboy’ album was then later released.
There is no intertextual
references to film, TV or other
music videos, other than the
following music videos from The
Weeknd. His other music videos
from the ’Starboy’ album do
reference the same motifs such
as the cross and ‘Starboy’ version
to The Weeknd. However at the
time there where little references
to his previous music videos but
not to any other artists, films or
TV.
10. The Vaccines have released three studio albums and are due to release
their fourth this year. The band members are Justin Young-lead singer,
Freddie Cowan- lead guitar, Árni Árnason- bass and Pete Robertson-
drums. However, when Robertson left the band in 2016, keyboardist Tim
Lanham and drummer Yoann Intonti were promoted to full time band
members, rather than just touring members.
Norgaard was the fifth single released from their debut album ‘What Did You
Expect From The Vaccines?’ released in 2011.
The music video for Norgaard is the band and
Amanda Norgaard having a photo shoot
together, whilst her and each band member do
bowling, roller skating, play tennis or ride a bike
around the studio. This is video represents the
Indie genre of the song as it is all set in one
place and the props are simple but effective for
a studio. Also, the lights from the photo shoot
are seen so we don’t just see a white room we
see the background and lights too.
11. Indie Pop and Indie Rock originated
from the 1970s and 80s in America
and the UK. The genre
characteristics include most videos
being made on a low budget which
gives the video and the band a
relaxed and DIY approach. This
makes the video more relaxed with
one setting, no expensive or difficult
camera work or editing. Atheistically,
Indie videos will be simple, possibly
in one setting, dark and will usually
feature the band, possibly
performing. The music video
features all members of he band
and a girl who has been added for
possibly the purpose of narrating the
story or for the effect that it may
appeal to a wider audience than if it
where just a video of the band
performing. This also means the
general attitude of Indie bands and
artists not caring and having big
egos can be explored as all
members of the band have
interaction with the girl but the
simple interactions don’t take the
band away from being Indie. This is
because they haven’t changed their
The Vaccines’ music video for
‘Norgaard’ definitely follows Indie
characteristics as the video features
the band and one extra girl. This may
be because the band wanted a simple
and fitting video which will feature
themselves, but another person for
added interest. Indie music videos may
be narrative or disjunctive which means
the band has a lot of freedom to create
a video with a story or hidden
message. Most Indie music videos will
show the band performing as this is a
simple way for the audience to connect
with the band and to be interesting for
the video. This is especially seen in
Indie bands as they often tour a lot and
are all about live music. However, this
isn’t the case for The Vaccines’ video
‘Norgaard’ as there is no performance
from the band, only lip syncing from
front man and lead guitarist and singer,
Justin Young, and drums played by
former drummer Pete Robertson. This
music video can be interpreted as
disjunctive or narrative as the video
doesn’t exactly show what is being said
in the lyrics but it does have some links
to the lyrics and the video.
12. This music video has some visuals which can be linked or can reference lyrics, however there is no direct narration of the lyrics in the ‘Norgaard’ video.
There is no band performance in this video, only lip syncing from the lead singer Justin Young and the drummer playing drums. This may be because the
band wanted a different, more relaxed and typical Indie video for ‘Norgaard’, rather than just a performance video like ‘If You Wanna’.
The lyrics may not directly state what the video shows, but lyrics are linked to the video or
can be interpreted as linked. One example of this is 10 seconds into the video when the
lyrics are “Young complexion” and the video shows a young girl which may be used as part
of The Male Gaze facial expression of romantic or seductive. This theory is part of The
Male Gaze created by Laura Mulvey, and is a theory of facial expressions by Marjorie
Ferguson. At 23 seconds into the video the lyrics are “A-m-a-n-d-a norgaard” which is the
name of a Danish model who is also the subject of the song, as well as featuring in the
music video as the young girl. When this lyric is said in the song, the video shows a close
up of Amanda Norgaard looking into the camera, again looking seductive or romantic to fit
the gender stereotype that women are objects and something pretty to look at. At 34
seconds into the video the lyrics are “Tall, sharp hips, And you're all in the same work”
which shows how the band are portraying the model based only on her looks. At this point
in the video we see her on roller-skates in a studio looking into the camera, this is focusing
the audience’s attention on her figure and appearance, and again focusing on the gender
stereotype that women are only interested in appearance and how men see women; which
is part of The Male Gaze. At 40 seconds into the video the lyrics are “I want a mannequin”
and the video shows Amanda Norgaard playing tennis in the studio. This is a counter
stereotype as the lyrics are saying that the males want a pretty and simple girl, whereas
the video shows her being independent and countering the stereotype of a weak woman.
At 1.21 into the music video the lyrics are “She's only seventeen so she's probably not
ready” which shows Amanda Norgaard riding a bike around the studio and highlighting
how young she is, yet she’s still the subject of the song and the video. All these examples
show hoe the visuals are linked to the lyrics, however not obviously. This means that some
lyrics may only be related to the visuals if the audience interprets it in that manner,
otherwise it may be seen as disjunctive and unrelated to the lyrics.
13. The first shot of the video shows the band gathered around an
armchair with Amanda Norgaard in the chair as one member of the
band lights the pipe. This shot is in slow motion to contradict the pace
of the music which it very fast without a build up. Then the drums begin
and we hear the lead singer begin to sing and the visuals show the
drums with the camera moving out, this is to amplify the drums. We
then see the drums again to amplify the drums sound, this is done by
showing the audience what they can hear. The video is mostly shot or
edited into slow motion, which contradicts the beat of the music the
audience can hear. The video shows a slow, soft and light setting with
light yellow warm tones to see, but a fast harsh beat which sounds
much more Indie. There are small shots of the video which aren’t in
slow motion such as when Justin Young is singing in a close up to the
camera or when she is riding the bike. These small clips of a faster
pace help to intensify the contradiction of the slower sections. The
slower and softer effect creates the image that Amanda Norgaard is
dream-like, soft and romantic, which is also stereotyping women in
general. This compared to Young singing faster directly to the camera
could imply that he is harsher, louder and rougher, which is typically
associated with males. The video also shows a softer approach when
the camera goes out of focus when the band or Amanda Norgaard is
dancing or moving. This helps to contradict the music and the beat
behind the soft slow video. Towards the end of the video the song has
gained pace and the beat is loud, with singing, drums, and guitar, the
video shows the band lined up with lots of tennis balls falling on them
from the ceiling. This has also been slowed down, even though if at
regular pace, this would have fitted the tone and pace of the music, but
we are shown more in slow motion. The video ends with the same shot
as did began with, we are shown this when the music stops and it
continues from the shot the video opened with.
14. All the members of the band have a
close up in the video, even though it
may not be as often as Justin
Young. By using close ups, the fans
and audience will have a better
relationship as they will feel that
they know the band, and how they
act. Close ups are often of each
member of the band, although Justin
Young is the only band member in
this music video to lip sync directly
into the camera. The other band
members are only seen in close up
shots when they are with Amanda
Norgaard. This is either when they
are playing tennis, roller skating or
riding a bike. Close up shots help to
develop a relationship between the
band and the fans, however, some
Indie bands will not be as focused
on this as that isn’t their style or
image. Close ups have been used in
other of The Vaccines’ music videos,
however they mostly feature lead
singer, Justin Young as the main
character either acting or singing,.
The other band members singing
too or just a close up of their face to
interact with the audience.
The Vaccines do not link their music
ideas or features parts of their music
videos in another video. However,
this music video does start with a
clip of Amanda Norgaard sitting in
an armchair with the band
surrounding her. This shows Árni
Árnason leaning in to light the pipe,
the shot then cuts to Pete Robertson
playing the drums and then the rest
of the music video to continue. Then
at the end of the video, after we
have seen the band lined up with
tennis balls falling on them, it cuts
back to the original opening shot.
Here we see the same shot continue
and we see Amanda Norgaard
smoking the pipe. This connection
brings the whole music video back
to where it started, which related the
music video to the Indie genre as
not all Hip Hop or Pop videos
connect the music video.
15. In this music video there is Amanda Norgaard
who is the model which the song was written
about. This makes her the main character of the
video who interacts with all band members doing
various sporting activities. In the opening shot we
see two band members looking into the camera,
and the other two are looking at Amanda
Norgaard. Although we don’t see Young and
Norgaard looking at each other in the same shot,
we can see here how the two are looking at each
other as if the camera was the other person. We
see Amanda Norgaard walking over to Young
who is holding a bowling ball, and then we see a
close up of Young, which is implying he is looking
at her, before we see Amanda looking into the
camera, which is implying she is looking at
Young. We then see her doing the same but with
Árni Árnason when she is going to play tennis.
We see the band members looking at Amanda
Norgaard, however she isn’t treated as an object
and the camera focuses on more than just the
female body. However, for the majority of the
video she is treated as something for the boys to
interact with, and is maybe only there for The
Male Gaze. This is also the reason for her looking
seductive or romantic for the majority of the
video, with small clips of her laughing and not
being as serious.
16. There isn’t a story for this music video, as it is
mostly the band and Amanda bowling, roller-
skating, playing tennis or riding a bike around a
studio. This music video is disjunctive as it doesn't
tell a story, however, there is a small part of
performing in the video from the drummer and lip
syncing from the lead singer.
There is no direct reference to
films, TV or other music
videos as The Vaccines
haven’t linked their music
videos to their older videos,
and haven’t linked or
referenced any other videos.
There is however a shot of
Amanda Norgaard we see
twice in the video which could
be linked to the film ‘The
Seven Year Itch’, iconic scene
of Marilyn Monroe on a
subway grate with the wind
blowing her skirt up. This
could be referenced in the
Norgaard music video with
Amanda Norgaard’s skirt
being blown up too.
Marilyn Monroe in ‘The Seven
Year Itch’.
17. Lorde became famous in 2013 for her first single ‘Royals’, which won Song of the
Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2014 Grammy Awards. Her first
studio album ‘Pure Heroine’ was released in September 2013 and her second
studio album ‘Melodrama’ was released on 16th June 2017 after taking a three
year hiatus.
‘Perfect Places’ was the second album from her second album after ‘Green
Light’.
‘Perfect Places’ is set in various
locations with Lorde trying to find
the perfect place. The video
features Lorde alone in different
settings such as at sea, in a
rainforest, by a fire and on a
beach. This video represents the
Indie genre as it shows Lorde lip
syncing in the video with basic
props and serious settings with
little pop influences on the
production.
18. Indie pop genre characteristics
may include a low budget
production, emotional close up
shots to show the artists
expression, performance or lip-
syncing, locations and props
fitting to the setting and can be
narrative or disjunctive. In the
music video ‘Perfect Places’ by
Lorde the production was not
low budget, this is because the
video contained a variety of
settings and locations, which
would be hard to achieve on a
low budget. Having a low
budget doesn’t make the music
video Indie, and as this song is
part of the Indie pop genre, it
will have pop influences like
dance and a larger budget and
production. Close up emotive
shots help to show the audience
the feelings and emotions of the
lyrics or video directly to the
audience. This will also help the
audience and artist to connect
and is a way the audience can
see a personal side to the artist.
A number of locations have been used
in this video, which is unlike some Indie
videos which only have one setting.
However, this can be linked to the
budget and larger production as this
makes it possible to film on an island or
remote area with multiple
environments, or the ability to fly to a
number of different locations around
the world. There are over 10 different
settings in this music video. Most Indie
music videos will feature a band or
artist performing, this is seen here with
Lorde lip syncing in the video, although
it is not a performance video, there are
aspects of performing which relates
back to the Indie genre. Props can be
limited in Indie videos as it may take
attention away from the artist. This can
be seen in Hip Hop or R&B videos
where the focus of the video may be on
possessions and an aspirations. Indie
videos can be performance, disjunctive
or narrative. This video has
performance aspects, as well as a
narrative due to the settings of different
‘perfect’ places and the lyrics relating to
perfect places.
19. There isn’t really a relationship between
lyrics and visuals in this music video. This
may be because to some the music video
may be disjunctive and to others narrative.
This may be due to the reference in the
lyrics to ‘perfect places’ and the video is
set in a variety of locations which some
may consider perfect. However, the lyrics
and song may be considered a metaphor
for a perfect place. This may be because
some people think perfect doesn’t exist or
that the perfect place may not be an exotic
rainforest. There are some lyrics repeated
in the song such as “Send us to perfect
places” and “Let's go to perfect places”
which then may be interpreted as a
metaphor as there is no such thing as
perfect places. This heard at the end of the
song when the lyrics are “What the fuck
are perfect places anyway?”. When the
lyrics “Send us to perfect places” and
“Let’s go to perfect places” are heard they
show different locations of the ‘perfect
places’. However, at the end of the song
the lyrics as “What the fuck are perfect
places anyway?” and the visuals show
Lorde looking into the camera and singing
and the last line of the song shows her in a
dark room with one light, which she pushes
away at the very end which may infer that
she hasn’t found the ‘perfect place’.
20. The intro for the music video uses a handheld camera for a
sense of realism and to make the audience feel as if they're
really following Lorde through the rainforest. This intro also
uses ambient sounds as there is no music and the only
sounds we hear are background noises like the leaves, fire,
and the gates opening. Then when the beat starts the shot
changes to Lorde standing on the beach looking into the
camera and then a different angle is used when Lorde starts
singing. Before the chorus the music stops and starts again
as Lorde makes a sound and the beat continues. After the
first chorus the music stops again as Lorde sings the first line
of the next verse and then the music starts again. However,
this time it is softer and the visuals match this my showing
Lorde pouring a cup of tea and lying down rather than in the
rainforest or by the sea. Then we see Lorde in a dark room
with a light bulb and she pushes it away from her as the beat
of the music starts again. This is when the chorus starts
again, as this gives the chorus more impact by reducing the
beat or music altogether before it starts. This has been used
a number of times during the song and the visuals have
matched. This means that when the beat has increased the
visuals have also become faster or more in pace with the
beat. This has amplified the chorus but can contradict the
visuals if they don’t represent a fast pace or rhythm. At the
very end of the song, the last three lines are “All the nights
spent off our faces
Trying to find these perfect places
What the fuck are perfect places anyway?”. When this is
heard there is no music other than a piano, this allows
Lorde’s voice and the visuals more attention from the
audience rather than the music.
21. Close ups have been used in this
video, as they are used in most of
Lorde’s videos to connect the
audience and the artist. Close
ups show the artists emotion or
can point specific details out to
the audience if it is a close up of
an object rather than a person.
Lorde doesn’t have any motifs
and she doesn’t carry anything
from one of her videos over to
another. She also does dance in
some of her music videos,
especially ‘Green Light’ and
‘Perfect Places’. Close ups of
Lorde will allow the audience to
feel as if they know Lorde which
means they can build a
relationship so the audience and
fans feel that they know Lorde.
This why close ups are used to
show emotion, as an artist who
shows personal and emotional
aspects of their life through a
video can create more personal
or emotional videos in the future.
In the Indie genre close ups can
be used to show emotion and to
get an emotive shot, rather than
having an emotional video.
22. During ‘Perfect Places’ Lorde uses the
notion of looking with the camera to
engage eye contact and will make the
audience feel involved and as if they are in
the video with Lorde. The notion of looking
has been used throughout the video as
Lorde keeps making eye contact with the
camera, especially when she is lip syncing.
However, when Lorde is looking into the
camera her facial expression will often
keep in character of the mood of the video.
This is so the audience feel they are
involved with Lorde but she doesn’t have to
change from the character to herself for the
fans. She will keep the theme of her video
throughout, which is common in Indie
music videos as they often have an
element of performance, even if that is lip
syncing, which may not be part of the
theme but is something the artist or record
label is keen to do. Lorde’s facial
expressions are not seductive or romantic
which is sometimes seen to look more
appealing. As Lorde is the only person in
the video the audience will be looking at
her anyway, so she doesn’t need to try to
look appealing to the audience or compete
with other people for attention. This is why
she is able to keep her character of the
video an lip sync without changing her
appearance or facial expressions.
23. The main story of this
music video is Lorde
trying to find the perfect
places, however she ends
the song asking what a
perfect place is. This is
shown by Lorde visiting
lots of different locations
and settings, from dark
ones to light ones and on
land or the sea. The
music video has a little
performance from Lorde
when she is lip syncing
and narrative as she is
trying to find the perfect
places. There is no
intertextual references to
films, TV or other music
videos. This is because
Lorde doesn’t link her
music videos to one
another or to other music
videos.
