Charli xcx music video 'boom clap' analysis

1. MUSIC VIDEO
ANALYSIS
CHARLI XCX

2. CHARLI XCX MUSIC
VIDEO- BOOM CLAP
This music videos opening shot is an establishing
shot which is traditionally used right at the
beginning of music videos as well as other things
such as films and TV shows. The purpose of this
is so that the scene is set for audiences the
purpose of the audience, so that we have some
idea of the setting and environment that the artist
is in. In this screen shot that I have taken towards
the very start of the music video the lighting is
very low key which perhaps indicates the time of
day in which this was being taken. As throughout
the music video scenes switch from being really
low key to becoming high key as we have both
some shots from the evening as well as the
afternoon.
After the establishing shot at the start it then moves
on to a medium long shot of the music artist with
different types of motion graphic layers placed over
the top. Still in the background and foreground we
are able to see the different types of scenery in
Amsterdam that we audiences would be very familiar
with such as the river canal and the bicycles placed
just over the bridge.
In relation to what she is wearing it is unique to her as
she is known for her unique style of wearing bright
pink and odd patterned clothing as well as bold red
lipstick that she has worn in several occasions. In this
image Charli being the main attraction is in focus
were as everything behind her is not, although we are
still able to make out what is there, including the

3. CHARLI XCX MUSIC
VIDEO- BOOM CLAP
As we already know this music video was filmed in
Amsterdam which is well known for its bicycles and
in this long shot we can see the artist is surrounded
by them. Again in this shot Charli is the one who is in
focus as well as some of the bicycles along the
back(toward where she is standing) and then the
bicycles closer to the camera are out of focus which
doesn't’t matter as we as an audience can obviously
make out what they are. In this image I really like the
use of colour in this image as they are are mainly
unsaturated greys and blacks although in contrast
you have the really bright red, greens and yellows
that lift the mood of the image. They have used this
technique throughout which I really like and may
decide to incorporate when in comes to producing
my own music video.
Just like some music videos this one is tied in as part
of synergy as it was partly produced in order to help
promote the award winning teens choice film ‘The
fault in our stars’ which was produced last year by
author John Green after such a huge success of his
book targeted at teenagers between the ages 13-19.
This screenshot on the right is one of the many
flashes in this music video and takes place towards
the start of the music video although the sections of
the film that we see are the most rememrable and
happy moments that the audiences would recognise
from the film to help remind audiences of the
narrative. This film is a powerful film about two

4. CHARLI XCX MUSIC
VIDEO- BOOM CLAP
This is a clear close up of the artists face and of
her singing along calmly to here lyrics. In this
shot Charli appears to be powerful and
independent because of the low angle shot as
well as the fact that she has no surrounding
except from the trees that are in this shot out of
focus. This emphasizes the fact that she is in
independent as know one else is around- in fact
there is know one else to be seen throughout
the entire of the music video which makes the
setting look very spacious. Her hair and makeup
is maintained throughout this music video as
her individual and unique style which could be
described as both modern but vintage.
Here is a back shot of Charli walking at a slow
pace, which work well with the timing of music as
at this point he haven't yet got to the courses
where the music then becomes a lot more fast
pace, just like in most other music videos. In her
performance we can see that she is very calm and
happy in the environment that she is in all she
visits key attracts in the film that she is helping
promote. In this music video we can see many
ways in which it is attracting is target audience,
through the representation of both Amsterdam,
the film and the artist herself as all are closely
linked together in relation to what teenagers of

5. CHARLI XCX MUSIC
VIDEO- BOOM CLAP
This shot was presumably taken later on in the day
due to the colour of the sky and the low key
lighting. This shot is a extreme long shot and we
are able to see artist Charli among loads of there
items that she is surrounded by. I like this image
in the music video as it is kayotic much like the
story behind the song and lyrics which is why
Goodwin's theory applies to this specific music
video along with many others. At this point in the
music video she chorus has just finished. I like
how throughout this music video some sections of
the lyrics match to key events that happen in the
film. For example, the line that goes ‘dress me up
in gold’ then flashes to the point in the movie
when she is going out for a meal and has been
given a new dress to where for the evening.
Just like in music videos scene alternate from one to
the other. In this screenshot (more then half way
through the music video) we are introduced again
to the scene were she is in front of the river and
dancing. The graphic on top of the image
emphasize the songs emotions as it is about young
love and sacrifice. In this image the lyrics and title
of the song ‘Boom clap’ are over the image as well
in timing with when Charli sings those words. I like
how vibrant and colourful the setting is in this
image that match the happy and joyful imagery in
the songs chorus. When it comes to creating my

6. CHARLI XCX MUSIC
VIDEO- BOOM CLAPAs we can see in this screen shot there is a lot of
different bits and pieces going on that editors have
layered over the top of the image for effect. The
different coloured lights and shapes make it look more
visually exciting as it is night and the image itself can
be quite dull in terms of what is in it. The different
shades of pink and yellows connote happiness, youth
and freedom what is exactly how Charli wants to be
represented. In this music video and the closely linked
film you have a strong contrast as in the film despite
the main characters having cancer they are just grateful
that they have each other, as they bring each other
happiness so by having the low key- miserable kind of
- lighting in the background but the bright and joyful
disco theme lighting over all that, could be a metaphor
for the story and narrative behind it all.
At this point we are coming to an end of the music
video and we have the darkened out fading image (that
we again are familiar with from previously) to represent
that the song is coming to an end as she walks down
the path and into the distance.
In conclusion analysing this music video has help give
me some ideas of my own when it comes to thinking
about how I want to be representing my artist and when
it comes to thinking about my target audiences and
how I’m going to get it to appeal to them. By looking
closely at this video has made me realise how important
the narrative is in relation to the music video and has
shown me how maybe the things that I will include in