Ellie Zambikedies

1. Analysis of Student Work
By Sarah Page

2. Daughter – Youth
• Looking through music videos, the music video created by Ellie Zambikidies,
caught my eye. I really enjoyed the ways in which it was edited, the
symbolic meanings of the props and the narrative structure. It was evident
that the music video was planned efficiently, and each shot was clearly shot
using a range of different camera movements and locations.
• The music video was also well executed – it looked neat, and followed the
beat and lyrics of the song.

3. The Video and Song
• The song itself is about the end to a disastrous relationship, causing harm, and how the singer envy's
anyone whom is in a settled, happy and harmonised relationship. One of the conventions of sound and
music video is to relate the sound to the music video, which is successfully completed. The girl and a
boy acts out a love scene and it is made very clear that love is the main subject of the music video. The
mask is symbolic to the protagonists reluctance to open up to anyone else now she has been damaged
by her previous love.
• The toxicity of the relationship is heightened by the use of alcohol, and the featured colour red, which
is prompted numerous times in the music video. The use of black and white evokes a colourless world
without her partner, and the use of red shows two dimensions to love – the lust which is soon followed
by the dangers.

4. Editing
• Ellie was extremely creative and playful whilst experimenting with different techniques of editing.
The types of editing Ellie used were a time lapse, fast forward, reverse, and slow motion.
• I feel that not many music videos actually reach out the conventions and use the different
techniques of editing like Ellie has. Ellie has explored her resources and rebelled from the codes and
conventions, which in my opinion has worked to produce an original and effective music video which
puts across a dark message about love.
• I feel that the use of the reversed music video at the end contributes to the climatic ending,
unfolding the story, showing the memories and experiences that the protagonist went through.
• I really enjoyed the time lapse – which has less of an underlying meaning however is visually
appealing, and satisfying to watch. I feel that this adds to the whole red, black and white aesthetic of
the music video, and could symbolically show the protagonist opening up about her past just how
the box is opening.

5. Camera
• There are a range of diverse shots in the music video, visualising the protagonist from
many different perspectives. There are close ups of the face, long shots, extreme close
ups, also pans, and tilts to view scenery.
• One of my favourite close ups was the close up of the protagonist with the mask – she
has a dim, blank expression on her face, which shows the aftermath of the brutal
relationship.
• Each part of the story, eg. The relationship, is kept concealed, but only released by a
series of close ups. This is a playful technique which leaves the audience engaged with
the music video, and kept questioning. The audiences is not provided with too much of
a backstory, just a brief outline of what events occurred.
• The camera depth of field repetitively changes – there are numerous focus pulls. The
camera does not focus on one subject for too long. This is interesting however a useful
technique as it keeps the music video moving, with a fast pace to keep the audience
engaged. It also coats the music video in glumness.

6. Mise-en-scene
• There are a range of props which evokes a glum tone.
• One prop is the door, with the paint peeling off, on a Wendy house. The door is red, which is
symbolic to the two dimensional effects of love. Some more red props are the red dress, and
the small box.
• The main prop however is the mask. The mask is symbolic to reflect how the girl is how
putting her barriers up now she is damaged by love (well this is how I interpreted it). The mask
is burgundy, and gold. It looks delicate, just like the girl is in the music video.
• Also, the lighter is an important prop. The lighter flickering on and off is symbolic for love and
how love can die in the matter of time. This reflects love as destructive.
• The lyrics are conveyed on paper. For example, the first shot is a piece of paper, with the
writing ‘Youth’. I find this quite a nice introduction to the music video, showing the name of
the song.

7. What can I learn from this video?
• I feel that the main features that jump out in my eyes is the
creative use of editing and mise en scene to portray the narrative.
The music video is creative in the way that the props are symbolic
to the story line, and the lyrics.
• I also really like the way that the music video is also visually
appealing. The use of colours and editing give the video a glum
aesthetic but is also pretty. The actor doesn’t really act, however
she moves and is positioned in locations that tell more of a story
than her herself.
• Therefore, overall this has encouraged me to follow my risky
narrative structure although it will be difficult to make look
professional.