Music video analyse 1

Dua Lipa is an English singer, songwriter and model. Her singing career began at
age 14, when she began covering songs by artists such as P!nk and Nelly
Furtado on YouTube. In 2015, she was signed with Warner Music Group, and
released her first single soon after. In January 2017, she won the EBBA Public
Choice Award and followed with a self-titled debut studio album released in June
2017. In addition to releasing a album and winning awards, she has been
featured on Sean Paul’s single ‘No Lie’ and Martin Garrix ‘Scared to be lonely’.
Lipa has proclaimed her music style as being ‘dark pop’ including aspects of
rock, pop, electronic and house to represent her style, personalities and self
beliefs on gender, politics and the world.
DUA LIPA

Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g.
stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for
boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
Lighting
In the video for ‘Be the One’, the lighting contrasts between natural lighting, studio lighting and Uv lighting
from coloured lights to create pink, blue and green hues over the scene giving an 90s inspired appearance.
Each aspect of the video is meant to represent the context on the song and Dua Lipas style in the video
therefore when it is extremely bright it complements the songs beat as it reaches it peak, then when
shadows are casted and the lighting goes slightly cooler its adding ambience to the lows the song is
representing the songs underlined darker vocal tone and theme. From the beginning sequence of the music
video, an obscene bright lighting is used deliberately to accentuate the extreme white walls reflecting natural
light in the room the specific scene was shot in-because the fact each scene has a different primary colour
featured acting as a central eye attraction for the consumers watching Lipa’s video it provides a visual
representation of style of music and conforms to the dark indie- pop genre.
Performance
The video follows the narrative performance genre typically used in music videos featuring music and artists
like Dua Lipa due to the fact they favour the idea of allowing their songs to tell a story and have a deeper
meaning rather than just a tune played on someone's phone, computer or other media outlet therefore this
video focused on the narrative aspect as appose to any other type of video. Throughout the video close up
shots of the face being the sole purpose of the scene as Lipa lip syncs to the words giving dramatic impact
and give the audience satisfaction whilst watching as it felt as though a montage of different stories, locations
and appearances were being combined to recreate a live action storyboard represent the artists personality
and make it look like a short story style. This type of video is a style that conforms to the indie pop genre
because it subconsciously encourage the idea of this video having a combination of music styles in one,
especially Taylor Swift, Florence and the machine and indie artists like The 1975 and HAIM meaning that
people who are not aware of Dua Lipa will find themselves noticing traits of their favourite artists in her
therefore watch other videos to fulfil their self set expectation of this artists music style. The fact we see Dua
Lipa dancing and embracing each moment she is involved in in the video promote the fact she is a normal
person with a unique care- free female persona many will be inspired by encouraging them to support her.

Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
(e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine
for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
Editing
The editing of this video is set in typical music video style for the indie pop gene due to the fast pace
editing used continuously throughout to compel a visual interpretation of its focus- Dua Lipa herself and
follow the movement of the song. By doing this, the video is giving the audience the ability to connect
with the music and feel as though we as the views need to source out other music and videos made by
the artist in order because we like the videos representation of the music it is promoting therefore
subconsciously making us feel obliged to watch the video again for more visual pleasure. The video is
deliberately editing to appear like a montage of fast cut shots that transition as though they are a one
shot that change location, looks and styles, meaning that it looks like a tape of repeat that increase in
pace as the higher tempos are reached and as the beat drops the style of the editing becomes more
modern and futuristic to reflect on Lipa’s style. During the chorus the editing becomes more modernised
as several colour shifts are adding to create the effect of body moving in shape and time which added
an ambient effect to the whole video because it suits the style of the song and the lyrics made.
Camera
The camera shots used are basic and expectant of the video style because the main focus throughout
is the female artist and the surroundings because they are iconic settings in London and add effect to
the video. The main shots are close up shots to show the individual look of the artist as she lip syncing
lyrics to the song and makes facial expressions for the sake of adding some personality to otherwise
simplistic shots of white and black rooms, relating to Goodwin’s theory that tone and atmosphere relate
to an artists reflection of themselves. Long shots and one pan shot is used to show the exclusive
location whilst having an old fashion filter placed over the film to create an authentic and ‘home made’
as though it has been filmed on a hand held camera.

Music videos demonstrate genre
characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in
metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band,
aspiration in Hip Hop).
Styling/appearance
Dua Lipa’s overall style is tomboy glam due to her everyday look being a
combination of joggers, crop tops and trainers with statement jewellery and
statement colours to reflect her youth and care free attitude. Her style choice
links to the fact she doesn’t like the idea of fashion having a gender
restriction therefore she wearing a variety of different items that change daily
showing she is up to date and relevant in the world of style and appearance.
This is why she has become an Instagram fashion as her style is so
dependent on each day adding interest to her and giving her the opportunity
to promote her music and believes. The video features a primary colour pallet
of monochromes, pinks, blues and reds in a variety of outfit choices. In
several shots, Lipa wears a black crop top with a sheer mesh top over the top
to reveal slight cleavage and flesh which conforms to Laura Mulvey’s theory
of the male gaze being a key concept in media outlets like music videos and
magazines and by Lipa having slight skin showings naturally attracts the
audiences eyes to her body without having intention. The bright colours
featured in Dua’s fur jacket, sunglasses, trousers and t-shirts allow the
audience to understand that although she is the only individual in the video
she is deliberately the main attention therefore the colour scheme is out
there, loud and suitable for the songs genre and lyrics. Her make up remains
minimalistic with full eyebrows, neutral toned eyes and glossy lips to match
the feminine side of her style but complement the bold outfits she is seen
wearing which conforms to the dark pop music that the video is promoting.

There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.
The lyrics are represented with images. (either
illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
‘When you’re looking at the sun, at the sun’- Lipa is seen looking directly at the sun as the light hits her blue tinted sunglasses to
accentuate the fact the sunlight is lighting the shot.
‘You’re not fooling anyone’- Lipa shakes her head repeatedly as she lip syncs this particular line. The lighting is dark with only her
face illuminating the scene to imply that the line has a personal and significant meaning to her and the song therefore the message
should be recognised easily through a close up shot.
‘All the lights go out’- As this line is sung, the lighting becomes darker and casts a blue hue over the scene for a split second
replicating the idea of a light switch being flicking causing a darker visual for the eye adding to the deeper idea behind the song.
Because the set is otherwise monochrome throughout with a bright white wall to add authenticity to the location and give more to
look at the fact the high key lighting suddenly goes gloomy and the editing cuts to a new location making the theme more evident
linking to the song as the beat drops and the chorus approaches.
‘I won’t let you down’- The use of the 1st person singular personal pronoun ‘I’ adds to the acceptance she has for her mistake and
the hope that she can prevent the same mistake being made again for the sake of herself and the future of the situation the song is
based upon. She uses her hurt to make a hand gesture that means ‘no’ to give a visual implicate that she isn't going to.
‘I’m going to be the one’- Singing the title of the song- which is common in every music video as it shows the source of the song
and signifies that at the point in which the title is being sung is the songs chorus which typically is the peak of the songs beat and
every lyric revolves around the meaning. Lipa points to herself and then the scene to personal the song by consciously involving the
view by vertically interacting with them and making it clear the song relates to her in a big way. A mid shot is used to show Lipa’s
body movement and gestures as she also touches her face and neck to conform to the idea that the male gaze appears in all
videos as she is drawing attention to her body, lips and facial features.
“I was wrong, I was wrong”- A close up of Lipa staring into the unseen distance is used as the song is played non-dietetically over
the top of the scene- this can be perceived as her reflecting on what she is saying to show guilt and self thought, triggering an
emotional opinion on the video and song.

There is a relationship between music and visuals.
The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of
the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
Throughout the video there is several clear indication that both the music and visual have been
impacted by tone and atmosphere. Editing is a tell sign to how a songs tone should be listen too,
meaning that more fast pace cuts between each shot give the video a more lively feel whereas more
slow pace cuts give a more emotive and meaning full look. For this the editing in very fast pace as it
transitions from location to location and style to style giving a visual idea of how this is meant to be a
more upbeat and dance along songs which fits the genre perfectly. Because the cuts appear
frequently and feature different locations, the audience are able to understand Lipa’s personality as
they are being exposed to a variety of Lipa from her being more serious and stone faced to her
laughing and interacting through body movement giving the audience the opportunity to watch how
Lipa is embracing her experience conforming to the theme of the dark pop genre as the colours and
facial expression coincide with style of music. The fact in no shots any musical related object seen
throughout confirm to the idea that although all music have musical instruments involved in the
making, and it can be heard in the song, this song like many other pop music has had digital editing
impact the song and sound, showing to the audience that she is a singer therefore are able to
respect her vocal ability as she has remained honest and genuine in her musical talents. The songs
lively, emotive and futuristic tempo can be recognised almost instantly through Dua's facial
expressions, seductive dance movements and outfit options as they prove that this song is meant to
make you dance along, sing and enjoy how is makes a person smile as the song progresses and the
mise en scene adapts with the beat. The altered focus in varied frames adds to the modernistic and
authentic as it gives a more new before its time feel by giving an original look. Dua lip syncs in
multiple shots that vary in shot range creating a visual connection with the audience as it feels
mutual respect and as if Lipa is singing to the audience. The colour schemes and location give a
visual reminder that Dua is young and feel of live yet has an emotional side that differs as the song
progresses and the tempo changes helping the audience seen how the song has a variety of
meanings; the bright pops of purple, blue and pink give a youthful, stylish and exciting visual look as
it breaks up the natural monochrome sources in the mise-en-scene, whilst give the eyes the indicate
of where to focus on whilst the neutral colours help give it a simplistic and classic look.

The demands of the record label will include the need for
lots of close ups of the artistand the artist may develop
motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).
The record labels demand in this video can be acknowledged through simple traits that compliment the
song style based on the codes and conventions set out for music videos alike, but also give the audience
to ability to visually interpret an opinion of the artist so they can decide if the sound they are listening to
and the visuals they are viewing are what is their preference. In this video the fact frequent use of shots
like close ups, mid and long allow the audience to focus on her as she plays a part in the video giving her
audience attention, helping to support the success and fan base needed to become a recognised and
appreciate artists in an industry that have artists like Dua Lipa in them because of the popularity indie pop/
dark pop has acquired in recent years. Because Dua is the singer behind the sound being played it is
important for the record label to get her name out there and encourage her to be a face that could get
publicity and media attention for talent, therefore by having her a the visual focus for the video means that
she is giving herself a unique level of power as she is being able to have a role in making her style seen
and her which has become a motif of hers as she styles herself to how she wants to be seen and what
she wants to wear giving her an edge, making her a trend setter for her. The record label clearly want to
communicate to the audience that Dua is a artist that doesn’t match any type of stereotype that relates
her to another ‘dark pop’ artists that are releasing music therefore the locations and extreme styling, and
modernist effects played over the type in post production show a difference, which in theory should help to
attract a larger more varied audience.
The motif represented in the video compares to other qualities featured in Dua Lipas other music videos;
the motif shown in the video is that Dua is the main focus of the music video with her risky yet fashion
forward outfits, bright colours and hidden messages that empower women. The outfits have become a
signature aspect for each video as they change with every video meaning no two styles are exactly the
same, however sunglasses appearance in at least one section of her music videos. By having motifs like
this conforms to the idea that she as a pop artist that takes inspiration from ‘indie’ artists because she
want to show her thoughts and feelings through her music even if it’s good, bad or controversial much like
other artists in the industry that want to make a statement visual from their music as well as though the
words they are singing.

There is frequent reference to notion of looking (screens
within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly
voyeuristic treatment of the female body
The notion of looking into the camera is featured various times during the video through a series of
close up shots of Dua creating eye contact. The eye contact featured in the video changes as the
pace and lyrical impact does, giving the audience the impression that both they and Dua have an
connection to the song and its meaning. From the strong sequences of eye contact being perceived
on both sides, it can help the audience to acknowledge and appreciate the songs and the videos
surroundings because it creates the motion that you as a viewer as watching first hand and almost
experiencing what Lipa is when she was creating the visual content, helping to create a likability
and fandom for her musical talent and appearance as it makes become recognised within the first
30 seconds that this video is a performance. Because the camera is constantly featured on Dua
Lipa in various shots revealing her body as well as face, it causes an instant link to the idea of the
male gaze, created by Mulvey, as Lipa is styled in risqué pieces that conform to her individual style
but also mean that through shots like a slow motion of mid tracking shot that surrounding areas of
her body, causes the eyes to divert instantly to those feminine parts of her body- which is a clever
marketing technique as it causes a wider audience than it may have attracted otherwise. The fact
several colours are featured on and around Dua for a majority of the video is another factor that
may impact the idea of the male gaze as the pops of colours featured divert the eyes to focus on
that as it is being accentuated by the monochrome background and bright lighting- her colour
scheme differs at different peaks of the songs for example the colour black is featured in the a lot as
the majority colour or a strong feature in her fashion signifying strength, death and power whereas
the pink worn represents her femininity, passion and beauty.

The artists may develop motifs or iconography that recur
across their work (a visual style)
There are some consistent motifs that are featured that Dua Lipa has featured in each of her music
videos from simple colour schemes, styling option, fonts and locations. Each of the videos brought out to
promote Lipas new single has a performance aspect to it, through the expressive sequence of dance
and stories that are played out in movements so that the audience recognise how she expresses herself
and becomes a common trait- in the video for ‘Blow your mind (mwah)’ Lipa and a group of girls are
seen taking part in a peaceful protest that becomes a series of synchronised dance routine that matched
the genre of music and persona of Dua as a artist and person, showing that she is fun and care free but
able to speak her mind, in her video for ‘Be the one’ she is telling the story of being in love yet, with the
dance and expressive moment shown again to conform with the music and in ‘Hotter than hell’ she is
again engaging in a dance routine that matches the songs beat and tempo, the fact the dancing can be
recognised instantly is a visual styling. Another aspect of iconography seen in Dua Lipa’s video is how
her fashion has such a huge impact because it becomes the first visual indication into how Lipa presents
herself as individual therefore reflecting the style of her music and style of the video- Lipa dress sense in
the video has a clear link as she features a monochrome number like a leather jacket with bright layers
of clothing and accessories to signify her care free attitude, confidence to experiment with colours and
styles that would be considered ‘out there’ or futuristic, and ability to make such extreme colours work
making her a style icon as well as a artist, adding to her motif as she allows her fashion to become a
main aspect for the videos. At the start of every video, a screen featuring the artist name, Dua Lipa, in
the font she has used in all her album arts making it a signature of her as a singer alongside her actual
signature which is used on the singles she releases in through collaboration. The fact she uses the exact
same opening sequence that features an array of pastel colours and deep purples, matching her dark
pop style of music, which create a visual idea of her music having a utopian sound through the
harmonies and impressive vocal range that allows her to bring a new style of music to a repetitive music
industry. Another indication about her motif being almost angelic is the fact that a close up shot of her
arm revealing an obviously placed tattoo simply stating the word ‘angel’ is shown in every video-
especially in her video for ‘Thinkin’ bout you’ which has a editing sequence that shows every aspect of
her body, another recurring feature across Dua Lipa’s work.

Music video analyse 1

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Music video analyse 1