music video classification

1. One Direction “what makes you
beautiful”

2. What type of music video is this?
This music video is a performance music video, as well as
narrative elements. Evidence that this is a performance is
outlined by the continues performance of different actions
such as playing football and running around, but more evident
by the fact that there is the use of continuous long takes of
the wide shot of the band singing, and more notably the close
up of the lead singer singing to the camera. In addition, it is
also a narrative, due to the fact that this video follows the
journey of the band trough the day on the beach and meeting
girls that they are singing the song about who they seems to
be attracted to and this is shown in the form of a story,
outlined when they meet up with the girls and spend the day
wish them and finish video at the end of the day outlined by
the low-key lighting at the end.

3. This is an illustration
This can be seen by the fact that, the action
always fit the lyrics.
“the way you flick your hair get me so
overwhelmed”
“If only you can see what I can
what I can see” – POV shot
“Baby you light up my world like
nobody else” – small light
bouncing of camera

4. Cinematography
Establishing shot to show a beach at sunrise. We learn that this will be the main
location for the majority of the video. We then get a fast paced cut to a close up on a
hand tapping along to the beat of the song whilst the beach fades away. Then we are
shown a long crane shot of the band, One Direction, throwing stones into the sea by a
parked VW camper van. Then we are given a tracking ariel shot of the cliff side, still
establishing the location of the video. The band is then shown through a long shot
walking along the beach in which we saw at the beginning of the video. We then begin
to get medium close ups of band members singing the lyrics. This allows us as the
audience to understand who is singing and become to acknowledge who is who. We
are then shown tracking shots of the camper van driving along the cliff side that
indicates the band are going to the beach. These shots are also extreme long shots,
still establishing the location. Throughout the video we continue to get these shots of
the car. We also continue to get the medium close ups of the band members singing
the lyrics. Another shot we get is medium long shots of the band members ‘dancing’
on the beach whilst singing. This is very conventional of a pop music video. All shots
are fast paced to stick to the tempo and beat of the song. We also see a medium long
shot of a girl, flicking her hair, which links and is in time to the lyrics. Not only are we
shown shots of the van, but we also see tracking long shots of a VW beetle with girls
in. We presume they are also going to the same beach. Later on we begin to get low
angle long shots of the band on a balcony. This could indicate some power. We also
get panning shots and low angle shot whilst they are walking on the beach singing. In
the middle of the video we are shown a low angle panning shot of both cars parked
side by side and the people in them have met. The low angle on all of them indicates
they are now all on the same level of power.

5. Mise-en-scene
The main location for this video is on a sandy beach
with a beach hut. This is a very conventional
location for pop videos as it’s seen as glamorous,
relaxing and indicates summer holidays. For the
majority of the video, we see the band in this
location and in the water. This might attract the
target audience of teenage girls, as this is the
demographic that follow the band the most.
Another location of the video is on a road on the
cliff side in which we see the band and their
girlfriends driving down. We understand they are
both heading to the same place as they are
travelling down the same road and in the same
direction. The location is quite summery and
relaxing, which would attract their target audience
as it can be seen as romantic.

6. Costume - The band is dressed in fashionable
spring/summer clothes, which are suitable for the
theme and location of the video. They are all also
dressed similarly such as close colours and similar
shoes which are very typical for a pop boy band,
as this would create a sign of togetherness, and
enhance the image of the band. The girls are also
dressed in a fashionable style; they are wearing
shorts, hats and sandals, which the fans can relate
to easily as they are simple yet fashionable items.
They are also wearing their bikinis. At the end of
the video, everyone is wearing jumpers, which
shows that the day is ending as the characters are
getting cold.

7. Props - The main props in the video would be
the VW camper van, which is bright orange,
which sticks to the summer, beach theme. The
cars can also represent freedom for the teens.
Other props include a football, acoustic guitar
and deck chairs/stalls, which indicate that they
would be going to the beach. The guitar is used
for singing around the campfire at the end of
the video, which is a big cliché and quite
conventional. The girls also have straw beach
bags, hats and sunglasses. This indicates they’ll
be going to the beach. There are also sparklers
and a campfire towards the end, which fade
behind other scenes, which could represent a
‘spark’ between relationships.

8. Lighting - the majority of the lighting in
this video is natural sunlight as the main
location is on a beach, introducing the
idea of normality, connecting with the
fans by portraying this message. However,
in this part of the video the camera and
characters are placed so that the sun
shines directly into the camera to give a
glare. This makes a more romantic
setting. Towards the end of the video, the
setting becomes dark and soft lighting is
used so we can see what is happening.
We also get light from the campfire and
the sparklers, adding to the idea of
romance.

9. #1
• Establishing shot, this
sets the scene, sets the
location that this will be
based on a beach. The
use of the bird flying
shows freedom and
purity of love, which this
song is about.

10. #2
• Long high shot,
introducing the band,
further emphasis of
the location.
Emptiness shows the
freedom and
rebelliousness of
teenagers, which is
related to one
direction fanbase.

11. #3
• The use of continuous
close ups on Harry shows
that he is important, the
lead singer of the group.
Typical in pop group.

12. #4
• This mid-long shot
shows the boys in a
VW van and the girls
in a VW smaller
vehicle, even though
there is the same
number of them,
represents gender
unequally.

13. #5
• “that’s what makes you
beautiful, that’s what
makes you beautiful”
This two shot they are
relating to the audience
by almost speaking to
then, which would get
fans intrigued and
made to feel special

14. #6
• This use of the two shot
shows the intensity of
the song as he is singing
to her, adding to the
romance, the high-key
natural light portrays
her as almost an angle
as it is beaming of her.

15. #7
• This long shot shows
the boys only,
without the girls,
connoting the
message that love
doesn't’t last forever.