Media Coursework

1. Ben Howard- ‘Keep Your Head Up’
There is not an obvious narrative to the video, it is thematic and artistic, and the main
focus is selling the song, not selling him. Each shot is abstract; almost every shot
could potentially be a painting. There are no
shots that are wasted, unlike film trailers.
There is a motif of nature throughout the video,
as well as the reoccurring theme of bubbles.
Connotations of bubbles link to; transience,
unstable, vulnerability, childhood etc. The lyrics
of the song reflect the bubbles; they float very
delicately, like the mind floats from thought to
thought, exploring the different mindsets
throughout.
The aesthetic shot of dawn is fresh, positive
and extremely symbolic to the video. It evokes
a sense of ‘a new start’, happiness and
excitement ahead. The contrast of colours used
to determine the start of a new day compared to the
darker colours used for shade underneath the trees
etc. suggest the increase in his positivity, a new
lease of life, full of ideas and happiness. This then
links in to the video, when he has the idea to create
the slide running through the woods, into the forest,
linking in with the motif of childhood from the
bubbles, slides evoking the idea of being at a
playground.

2. Again the shots of the fields reinforce the idea of nature. The nature also links with
this idea od childhood, as stereotypically kids love being outdoors, running around,
not fussed about materialistic objects but they just love being out having fun, making
their own fun. He is wearing no shoes in the video; again showing him being at one
with nature. The video is not about having expensive objects and living a ‘luxury’ life
but it is about focusing on what matters, living for the moment and enjoying life to the
full; making the most of what you have. There are very few shots on his face at the
start of the video, because the main purpose of the video is to have an impact on the
viewer, selling the song itself, rather than selling the idea and him.
The yellow colours, behind the tree as he walks under it imply mystery and fantasy;
just like a little kid would when they play with their friends. The emphasis of the
bubble reflects the vulnerability of him as he is acting like a child would.
The shots of him show his clothes as average, portraying him stereotypically as the
‘average’ person. They don’t evoke glamour; they are plain and simple, yet effective
for the purpose of the video.
The sun and water whilst he paddles his feet reflects the surroundings and
conventions of being at the beach, again continuing this idea of a small child being
overwhelmed, playing at the beach in the sea.
There are no significant extreme props of a high cost, again enforcing the idea that
the video is purely to sell the song not him. Although the only props that are used are
natural from the woods in which the video is being
filmed, this evokes a lost cost budget for the video.
The props are mainly rustic, e.g. the logs etc.
There is a great deal of ‘blurry’ unfocused shots
being used through the video. These could be used
for various reasons, implications of his ‘unclear mind’
being set free as the shots start to focus again; thus
linking with the title of the
song “keep your head up”.
The lack of personal shots
of him disconnect the
viewer, making the viewer
become the audience, forcing the viewer to listen to the
music rather than just watching it.
The idea is to sell the music and not him.
Water is symbolic for two reasons in this video; it has a
calming peaceful effect, as well as something to be seen
as fun and exciting. The shot of the ripples in the water evoke a stress free zone,
just like the shots of him and his friends making the waterslide. Just like kids they
create the slide, however this time water is used to exemplify their creativity and how
they are making the most of everything they have.
Now, as the viewer, from the variety of shots and speed of editing we can see an
obvious change of moods. There are frequent close-up shots of their facial
expressions now being used. This is to exaggerate their happiness and mood
change, focusing on the result of their adrenaline rush.
The tracking shot of the slide as they go down it forces our eye to follow and
experience all of the emotions they are feeling at once.
There are lots tracking shots being used towards the
end as we follow him through the woods to their
triumph making the slide. The slide could be used as a
metaphor; the journey from the top of the slide to the
bottom, as well as the emotional journey of his
positivity.