This document provides a shot-by-shot analysis of the music video for Sabrina Carpenter's song "Why". Key shots and scenes are described in detail, with explanations of how they relate to the song's narrative and themes of relationships, clarity, and going through cycles. Lighting, camera angles, and Carpenter's consistent dark clothing are used to convey ideas of romance, distance between characters, and her artistic brand. The video appears to tell a circular narrative that either depicts the artist imagining her relationship's future or shows the characters starting over again in their relationship.

1. Why
By Sabrina Carpenter

2. This video starts with the
sound of a café, the
beginning is also a
scripted conversation
between the singer and
an actor
0:30
1:46
1:50
1:53
2:02
1:41
In this clip she is seen walking
around with photographs
hanging up. This links to later
clips of her taking photos. Similar
clips and themes of photography
are seen throughout the video
This relates to the previous clip
as it shows her taking the photos
that are hanging up, this acts like
a flashback
A medium long shot is used here to show
the distance between the characters
despite the fact that they are sat next to
each other. This is also shown by the fact
that they are facing away from each
other, showing that they don’t feel close
even when they are together.
A close up shot of a record player is used
to show how their love keeps going
round and they end up with the same
problem every time.
This is a tracking shot of the artist
walking, there is clear brand identity
throughout this video with her wearing
dark clothes in every scene which is
displayed here. This relates to her as an
artist because she is often wearing dark
colours in a her videos such as in
‘Thumbs’.

3. 2:35
3:34
3:34
The lighting in this scene is low and lit by
just candles and city lights through the
windows. This is to connote ideas of
romance between the two in their
relationship. Showing that the narrative is
coming back to the start – where the two
characters got along.
This close up shot of the photos references
the scenes where the artist was scene taking
photos and when she was walking through
the photos. However, this time the photos
are clear and close up so you can see that
they are of him. This connotes the ideas of
clarity and that they are figured out their
relationship
This medium shot is almost identical to
the first scene showing a circular
narrative. This could have multiple
connotations including that either the
whole sequence of the music video was in
her head thinking about what her future
would be like with him. Or it could
connote the idea that they are starting
over in their relationship in order to fix it.