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Soul Video Analysis

Sam Smith - Lay Me Down

  • Including earth, wind and fire in a music video can be a good technique because they are all natural and it makes the audience connect more with the music video and therefore the emotion in the lyrics of the song. This music video includes a lot of candles which gives a mysterious and deep emotional feeling. I will be using this technique in my music video creation in order to connect with the audience

  • Camera movement around the artist in a circular motion with a close up shot keeps the artist in the centre of the frame, focussing the audiences attention on him and his emotions that are shared through his facial expressions. The song choice for our music video creation has very emotional lyrics, similar to this song; therefore I think that this use of cinematography would benefit what my group and I create.

  • The short depth of field burs out the characters in the background, making the artist the focal point. This makes the audience focus on him and his emotions. Using different depths of field could be useful in my music video creation when there are a lot of distractions in the background 

  • The narrative is in reverse order which ensures the audience connect with the artist and his emotions initially but then develops to give a background to why those particular emotions were being felt. It is uplifting for the audience which is anchored with the change of tempo in the music. It also prevents the music video from being very sad and emotional; I may use this technique if the narrative that my group and I decide on is too emotional so that it can be uplifted and overcome by seeing happier memories

Adele - Someone Like You

  • Post-production editing on this music video has resulted in black and white throughout. This demonstrates deep emotion as black connotes death and sadness and the audience are immediately connecting with this. I think that this adds a lot more depth to the song, however I think it limits what can be done with the narrative as it is so dark and emotional so the focus should rightfully be on the artist, therefore I won't use this technique as inspiration

  • The artist doesn't often look directly at the camera and is looking down towards the floor for a lot of the music video which suggests distress and upset - this could influence my group's creation as it is a very simple technique but is very effective in showing emotion. However, when she does look directly into the camera it is when the words get more meaningful and as if she is talking to the person that she wrote the song about - this makes the words seem as if they are sung with more purpose and allows her to connect with the audience. I will use this as influence for my music video as a connection with the audience is very important 

  • The built up location of London is contradicted by seeing no movement in the background and having no other characters in the music video which suggests the artist is alone. This suggestion is anchored by the lyrics which are about splitting up from a relationship. This is something that has influenced me because it is only subtle but it strongly works with the lyrics suggesting lonliness. I don't believe that all messages must be obvious and that the subtle ones usually are most effective

Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

  • This artist is the only woman in the room and is dressed in full make up and a low cut top to look appealing to both the men as well as the audience. It draws the audience's attention to her but I do not think I would use apperance as a way to get the audeince's attention, instead I would use camera angles/shots

  • The location of a graveyard is very spooky, it is made even more so by the black and white theme running throughout the music video as well as slow motion shots. It leaves a mysterious feeling with the audience especially as they are unknowing of what is in the small box in the back of the hersse. I will use this as inspiration as it leaves the audience guessing and wanting to find out more all the way through the music video - keeping them engaged

  • The narrative is an alternative way of interpretting the lyrics - I like this as it is not boring and it more enjoyable to watch. I will be wanting to think of a narrative for my chosen song which is not simple and ordinary

Michael Jackson - You Are Alone

  • Royalty is the key concept that is shown in this music video - it is shown by the orange and red colours as well as low angle shots looking up at Jackson as well as centre framing. This is showing me how certain colours, framing and cinematography can give a powerful message without any lyrics suggesting it. I will bare this in mind when I come to making my music video

  • In the performance he is alone in each location, making him the focus, however, when it is the narrative side he is partnered by a female. This will be influencial for my music video to ensure that the artist is the main focus when singing however it does not matter as much when the narrative is shown

  • Greenscreens have been used to create the background when the artist is singing. My group and I could use a green sceen to make the locations seem more desired by the audience/to link in more with the lyrics

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