Example 2

Ellie Goulding – Your Song

In the following slides I will be analysing this

music video paying close attention to

cinematography, editing, sound and mis-en-scene.

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.

Introduction of charactersThe 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.

ChorusThe 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.

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.

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.

This theory is broken down into 6 main points. They are as follows:

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals3. There is a relationship between music and visuals4. 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

Goodwin’s theory of music videos

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.

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.

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.

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.

Voyeurism/notion of lookingIn 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.

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.

End of slide show