for the evaluation purpose (coursework)

1. The video starts with the transition‘static’
that creates an old style video camera effect
to the video portraying the feel of this being
a memory recorded back via a camera, as
though the memory is being looked back
upon. The sound of the song also matches
with what is seen on screen via the crackling
noise heard for the first second of the song.
Also the use of a darkened affect placed
upon the video makes it seemingly feel as
though this is a flashback. Continuing the
message portrayed within the first shot, that
this is a recorded memory being looked back
upon. The breaking of the fourth wall also
confirms that there is a third member
filming them off screen, so the characters
are not noticing the audience. Furthermore
the mise-en-scene shown within the shot is
a back garden that creates the message that
this is personal meaningful place to the
characters (not a public place where others
go).

2. The slow editing of the first ten seconds
compels a strong message of emotions
between the characters, before the music
pace speeds up leading to a change of
atmosphere upon the song. The editing
slightly quickens up with the use of
separate time lapses to show the passing
of time between the last shot and what is
to come next. The idea of change is the
message that is gathered from this shot via
the fact that the same shots are repeated
to show how everyone has moved on
As the music begins to slow in its pace the
singing also starts with the change of shots
on the beat, from the time lapse of
different places e.g. clouds, traffic etc. The
mise-en-scene of the first shot is
dominated by the holding of a camera,
which in turn links back to what was
previously seen. The use of the camera
shows an idea of it holding precious
memories held between him and the
female.

3. Further into the verse there is the
opening of the video camera,
representing the message that he is
turning it on, to look back at messages
that were created between the couple.
The use of the environment being within
the males home creates the idea that
there are connections between this space
and the memories that the two had.
The next shot brings back the darkened
affect established within the first shot.
There is therefore a clear link between
the camera and the flashbacks shown.
The actions of the male/female create the
idea that the situation is tense between
the two and that this is a difficult point in
there relationship. The use of the same
location as the previous shots confirms
the idea that there is a clear link between
where the male opens the camera to the
flashbacks seen after that shot.

4. The same pattern is repeated within the next two shots as the male is seen alone
within a set location before there he is seen opening up the camera, and
therefore the next shot follows with the showing of a flashback. However the
second flashback shows them arguing once more, before the final flashback
challenges this view of them being in a tense situation, as the female looks back
smiling at the camera as seen in the first shot to portray the feeling that this is a
good time for the.

5. The constant use of slow editing
throughout the verse is particularly
useful in portraying the sad emotions
that are gathered from the males
responses/actions. However as the
song enters the pre-chorus the pace of
editing slowly begins to quicken as the
song builds up to the chorus.
Another factor that was used to create
a hidden meaning was the walking off
camera in all locations shown within
the first verse, as it infers the walking
away from his past as he looks to move
on from what was, and is now lost.

6. The chorus that follows increases the pace of
the editing as the signing becomes more
intense due to the message being portrayed
within the song. The use of close ups of the
singer shows the sad/annoyed emotions
running through him at this particular point
within the video. Also the factor that there is
mostly only the use of long shots upon the
girl, creates the idea that she is ‘so close yet
so far away’ from the her and she will always
be out of reach. This message is also
portrayed within the shot to the right, that
shows a close up of the hands coming
together slowly, before the shot cuts away to
the next verse, leaving the confusion as to
whether they connected.

7. As seen within the first
verse, the same
pattern is repeated
throughout the second
verse after the chorus,
this due to the
similarity within the
lyrics sung in the verse.
The locations are now
more public than some
seen within the first
verse, creating the
sense that the male is
walking to all the
locations found on the
camera to relive the
memories. The
memories are much
happier than some
from the first verse
due to the two shots
showing smiling faces.

8. As the song enters the second chorus the location
changes to a forest, playing with the title ‘lonely
hunter’ that creates the impression that he is trying
to hunt down someone, which springs the
stereotypes of chasing through forests.
The singing of the male is shown closely, as we are
able to gather the full emotions that he is feeling at
that particular stage. The use of a low angle
cinematography enables the feeling that he is now
starting to become more in control of his feelings
but this same message is then put into contrast and
then back through the use of a high angle before he
springs up out of it, giving the reference of him
trying toget over her but he keeps falling back into
the ‘trap’.

9. Further into the same chorus the
cinematography is used well to show the truth
about the female he keeps seeing. Firstly the
over the shoulder shot of him walking to
wards her shows her far away again similar to
the first verse. As he gets closer elliptical
editing takes place that show him getting
closer to her without giving the full journey.
This follows with an over the shoulder shot
from the females angle as he stand close to
her. The camera slowly begins to move around
towards the males side before showing from
his angle to her not being there. This creates
the impression that he is having visions of her
and that she is not actually there. Throughout
all the shots that include the female within
them a sight blur effect (‘Romantic’) is placed
on top to signal the message of this just being
all a blur within his mind and he isn’t thinking
straight.

10. The song moves onto a bridge that is slow within
its pace that is represented within the slow editing.
Also the use of a slow motion creates a sense of
sadness in the atmosphere during this particular
point within the video as the male slowly walks
through a dark tunnel. Furthermore the editing
cuts back and fourth from the tunnel shot to the
male stood on a beach. The mise-en-scene contrast
with what is being portrayed within the message,
due to the bright sunny beach, being a
stereotypical place of happy memories, however
within the mood of the song this place is not for
happy memories. As the tracking shot stops within
the tunnel and becomes a still long shot the video
shows him leaving the tunnel into the lightness
that becomes brighter as he leaves, creating the
cliché ‘there is light at the end of the tunnel. Back
to the beach the camera is then seen leaving his
hand before the slow motion affect shows is
staggering stages as it descends to the floor. The
editing then cuts to the change of pace within the
song by changing to a quicker time lapse as the
camera hits the floor.

11. Once the change is made the outro brings back all
locations previously seen within the video to make
sense of all the memories seen throughout. The
flashbacks are now quickly shown back to front
from when first shown creating the sense that he
was going backwards through there relationship
starting with the ending before reaching the
beginning at the beach in which he lets go of the
camera, the prop being a metaphorical reference
to the female and that has finally let go. The use
of time lapses also has an effect upon creating a
meaning that shows the all the time that has past
by since their last happy memory together.
The shot shown on the right of the male singing is
used to show the passionate feelings that he had
for her and he is letting them all out now within
the lyrics of the song ‘tried to make it back’
portraying the idea that he has tried to get her
back into his life but has now finally moved on
from her.

12. The finally sequence within the video, starts with
the slowing down of the clouds that creates the
meaning that we have now reached the present day
and that no more time has passed by. The use of
this suggest that all the memories he has been
revisiting wasn’t a one off occurrence but happened
multiple times as he hoped one day it would be her.
The ending to the song has no lyrics but instead end
with a slow rolling on of the music, that comes to a
slow halt portraying the end of this memory. The
editing cuts to and from the flashback shown at the
very beginning to that of the present day, with two
contrasting as he is happy and with the female
whereas the present day shows him alone and
looking down in a dark state of mind.
The handheld cinematography of the flashback
gives the shot a slight bit of life to the shot, in
contrast to this the stillness of the camera within
the present day shot, infers the message of all life
being taken out of him as signalled with the letting
go of the camera earlier on.