2. In the following slides I
will be analysing this
music video paying close
attention to
cinematography, editing,
sound and mis-en-scene.
3. The opening of the video
Unlike the previous video I analysed,
this example does not have a set
narrative, or storyline.
The opening section sets the scene for
the rest of the video. First a close-up of
Ellie’s face to establish the artist, and
then a shot fallen leaves, followed by a
shot Doc Marten boots and one of a
train ticket. These three last shots
suggest that the video is set in the
Autumn season of the year, in a
countryside location, and the train
ticket suggests that the video follows
an adventure or trip of some sort.
4. Introduction of characters
The following section of the
video concentrates on
introducing the characters in the
video. This section features
multiple close-ups of Ellie to
establish her as the artist, but
however introduces three new
characters; a female friend, a
male friend and a feline friend.
The sequence finishes with three
of the main characters walking
into the countryside, suggesting
an adventure of some sort.
The shot to the left shows the
location of where the action is
taking place; Hereford, an
traditional English county town
in Herefordshire, where Ellie was
born.
5. Chorus
The first chorus of the
video features many
close ups of Ellie, as
well as studio shots of
herself and a piano,
allowing her further
establishment as the
artist.
Other shots include
shots of Ellie exploring
a forest-river
environment, furthering
the idea of adventure
theme resonating in the
video.
6. Development
The development of the second
verse towards the bridge of the
music video shows multiple
close-up shots of Ellie, even
further establishing her as the
lead artist. Further along there is
a shot of an old-fashioned
camera , presenting to the
audience the sort of authentic
camera shots that are taken to
give the music video an
independent and alternative feel.
The later part of this section
reveals Ellie returning back to a
town – her hometown – and
presents several establishing
shots, and closes with a close up
of Ellie in the new location,
looking away from camera, to
present to the audience her
feelings about the situation.
7. Ending
The ending of the video
emphasises the main themes
of adventure and friendship
with extended use of quick
editing between shots, as
well as particular shots to
include each character.
The final section of the video
concerntrates mainly on a lot
of close ups of Ellie, to
further establish her as the
lead artist.
8. Goodwin’s theory of music videos
This theory is broken down into 6 main
points. They are as follows:
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals
4. The record label will have demands to include close-ups
of the artist, meaning the artist may develop motifs
across their work
5. There is frequently reference to the notion of looking
and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body
6. There is often intertextual reference
9. Music videos demonstrate genre
characteristics
This particular music video represents and
demonstrates its genre in a variety of ways.
One main way in which it achieves this is by
the use of costume design and the type of
fashion and clothes the characters are
wearing; e.g. Doc Marten boots suggest that
the wearer may listen to alternative music.
Another way in which the genre is achieved is
by the use of the shots of the train ticket and
authentic camera (right). Both shots acquire a
‘vintage’ feel to them, aiding the
representation alternative genre.
10. Relationship between lyrics and visuals
The music video
reflects the simplicity
of the lyrics and how
‘free’ the characters
are presented. For
example the line ‘I
don’t have much
money’ is reflected in
the action of taking
train, as someone with
a lot of money would
favour private over
public transport.
11. Relationship between music and visuals
The editing of the
music video consists
of mainly fast shot
changes, and is
accompanied with
the relatively up-
paced piano chords
of the music. This
up-beat yet calm
tone reflects the
sense of adventure
explored in the
video.
12. Close ups of the artist and
development of motifs
This video in particular
frequently uses close ups of
Ellie’s face, often in different
lighting conditions, to create
a sense of versatility of her as
an artist; she is not always
shot in the same way. In the
same respect Ellie is not
always looking directly into
the camera, yet sometimes is,
and this furthers this versatile
sense.
13. Voyeurism/notion of looking
In this video the notion
of looking is often linked
to the inner feelings of
the characters and how
the may react to certain
events. In the examples
given (left) Ellie is often
seen looking away from
the action which is
happening, into the
distance, a desire for
adventure, which links in
with the themes of the
video.
14. Intertextual reference
The track from the
video ‘Your Song’ was
originally written and
performed by singer-
songwriter Elton John,
however Ellie covered
the track for her
special edition CD of
her first EP, ‘Bright
Lights’. The song was
also used in British
parternship John
Lewis’ 2010 Christmas
advertising campaign.
