Ed Sheeran Comparison
- 1. Comparing Music Videos from Ed Sheeran: One: music video Released May 2nd. The video is set in the empty wembley stadium, shot in black and white and only consists of Ed Sheeran performing the song by himself with lighting. The performance piece not having a storyline alongside. Bloodstream: music video released march 2015. The music video following this now elderly 80s rockstar going mad in his own mansion, following him through his breakdown, suggested that he commits suicide at the end of the music video and drowns himself. Both the music videos are directed by Emil Nava, he has directed all of Ed sheeran’s music videos. Even though both videos have the same director, they re completely different styles.
- 2. Camera Angles: vERY EARLY ON IN THE MUSIC VIDEO, A WIDE SHOT OF HIS MANSION ESTABLISHES HIS WEALTHY POSITION AS WELL AS THE MAN ON THE ROOF, ISOLATES THE AUDIENCE FROM HIM; CREATING DISTANCE BETWEE AUDIENCE AND CHARACTER. Bloodstream: The use of a tilt shot is used on the roof of the house helps reinforce his slow decrease of normality. The male appears staggering along the roof, drink in his hand and the tilt shot implies he’s drunk but also emphasises his loss of normality, this life is unreliable and sees to be driving him insane. The tilt angle disorientating like in ‘the third man.’ also, the panning camera movement, following this guy around, but aren’t on the same level to him. The audience don’t fully understand what he’s going through and can’t fully sympathise with his position. Instead his fame has removed a lot of his substance as a person, ruining him for the future, trying to escape what fame has led him to. The worm’s eye view shot looks up through the fire at the man, lighting from the ambient fire, Giving him this villainous glow from the flames, This low-angled worm’s-eye shot reinforces his power as he throws a guitar into the flames, his material possessions are obviously things that are no longer valued by him. Another rather low-angled camera shot is used; once again reflecting his powerful position.
- 3. Camera Angles: The use of Third Screening, Ed placed on the right third of the screen. Leaving this large space on the left. An intertextual reference to the shower scene in Psycho, one: The Wide Shot establishes the grand and large space which the music video is set in. Establishing how alone Ed is as he performs the song. Getting a scale sense of the massive wembley arena, and how unusual it is to see it empty. The viewer in this section is very distanced from the performer, this is somewhat reflected in the lyrics as he sings The use of Medium close-ups camera shots directs the audience’s attention onto the featured performer. They act a contrast to the wide and long-shots which establish the large The music video has intertextual references to others like Muse and Michael Jackson, these famous acts associated with the music video reflecting Ed’s career success. creating minimal mise-en-scene to focus on the subject and action, ed’s vulnerability in the emotional song like Marion crane’s vulnerability to her killer. about how alone he feels: “And all my friends have gone to find, another place to let their hearts collide.” size of Wembley Stadium. I think the viewer can be overwhelmed by the stadium, the close-ups creating that closeness to the performer again.
- 4. Characters: one: Bloodstream: As the rockstar rides round from under the banisters on horse-back, wearing a dressing gown. The choice of not having a character as such, but it being a performance-based concept. Referring to Goodwin’s Theory of it being a performance piece. I think the acoustic raw-sounding song is complimentary to the very simplistic and minimal video. There’s the contrast of his costume with the suit in comparison to the dressing-gown. The juxtapositions of the outfits reflect his breakdown. The violent and frankly misogynistic characteristics of the man seem to create a persona which the audience may not favour. I think that these images are a good summary of the whole video; his breakdown reflected in his outfit, hunched over on the horse and lying on the floor, his positioning reflecting his slow deterioration and hopelessness, Like he’s given up. The horse usually a symbol of royalty and power, the ironic use of the horse allows his lifestyle to be such a contrast to his emotional state. As a viewer, I fell there’s a mixed amount of emotions you feel towards him. Partly, sympathy for the man, his life obviously falling apart around him. Although, he doesn’t help himself; his violent nature leading to him being this alcoholic using his power negatively in the way he treats women.
- 5. Representation: Bloodstream: The only other characters in the music video are females who are suggested prostitutes, Interested in the aged male rockstar because of his wealth and previous fame. The portrayal of these woman is a voyeuristic and rather misogynistic representation, the music video may have chosen to include this to present the deterioration of the male, placing him into a situation we’d frown upon. But the objection of the female body is something which is often included in music videos. Laura Mulvey’s theory of the ‘male gaze’ applies here, Mulvey’s idea that a lot of the production and camera crew are male, therefore the presentation of female’s on-screen is through the male eye. This can be somewhat objectifying, male’s dominating the females as their bodies are deemed to be objects, dehumanising them. Other music videos of certain genres more commonly have the objectification of woman regularly included. However, there are some female artists like Birdy, Lily Allen, Florence Welch and Orla Gartland (the artist of my production’s track) which this doesn’t apply to. The male seems to have had a very successful and positive career, until this downward spiral of violence, alcohol and drugs. In one of the roof scene, the whites of his eyes making him look zombie-like; an intertextual reference to the look of the ‘slave’ in ‘Afrika Shox’ with this drugged and zombie persona.
- 6. Narrative: Bloodstream: vERY EARLY ON IN THE VIDEO IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT THE MAN APPEARS to be going through this breakdown after or due to the fame. Wandering around his large mansion house, lots of gold and awards all signifying his previous success. His reserved and unemotional state reflects his The turning point for the music video is when the man throws his glass against one of his awards, matching the beat-drop to the audio. Both complimenting each-other. The smashing glass adds to the intensity behind the music, like Goodwin’s Theory suggested, amplifies and compliments the video. “The 80s rockstar that’s lost the plot and is mad in his house, and there’s an amazing moment where you see him basically come round the corner under the banisters.” - Emil Nava. This quote is from Emil Nava being in conversation with Ed Sheeran (video linked below presentation) Goodwin’s threory of the lyrics matching the visuals is referenced in the video, with lyrics such as: unhappiness, his material wealth and fame hasn’t made him a complete person. The narrative structure being linear throughout, but a circular narrative loops the beginning to the end. “This is how it ends. I feel the chemicals burn in my bloodstream Fading out again. I feel the chemicals burn in my bloodstream So tell me when it kicks in” “Lord, forgive me for the things I've done I was never meant to hurt no one I saw scars upon a broken-hearted lover” The lyrics creating imagery which is often matched in the music video, allowing them to compliment each-other.
- 7. Narrative: Bloodstream: narrative structure becomes circular, looping back to the beginning where you saw the male’s body submerged in his swimming pool. The choice of this narrative style creates a finality to the story presented. The ambiguous beginning almost being explained throughout the video. There are some recurring images which are repeated in the video. One of these motifs (referencing Goodwin’s theory of motifs) the low-angle of the man, the audience looking up at him, reflecting the power he once had. Also the large spacious room reflects the wealth he once had. This is established very early on, as well as this award room, Another motif which recurs multiple times is the male’s face through the flames, creating a villainous-styled shot, this character remaining distanced from the viewer. The low-angle connotes his power, the flames connoting the torture of his life, or the anger and frustration he feels at himself for creating this life. After this beat-drop, it seems to reflect the downward cycle of his career and now his personal life. My interpretation of the end scenes are that his suffering has led to his own suicide, drowning himself in his swimming pool. The viewer witnessing the end of his story.
- 8. locations: The grand-scale of the house is shown through these wide-shots; just fitting in frame reflects his wealth in almost a boasting manor as he rides the horse outside the front of the mansion. Bloodstream: Intertextual Reference link to the TV Drama show ‘Blackpool’ the very fake exterior hides the true unhappiness that comes with goals aimed at material consumerism. This 80s rocker falling into depression with alcohol and drugs I think this is one of the main shot compositions which makes the video stand-out. The 80s rocker, reduced into his dressing gown riding a horse under the banisters off this house. He looks broken and i a fragile state, hunched over on the horse. The shot is one of my favourites in the music video, his vulnerability reflected. This fame and prestige is reinforced in the wide-shot of the lounge, the gold tint to the room connotes wealth. The use of this very fancy made-up room implies his status. However, the subject is slumped back in the middle chair, completely alone. He looks so isolated in the large empty room, presenting his alienation. to escape the reality that he is suffering from his previous fame, which hasn’t made him happy, material consumerism and wealth being goals in this capitalist society.
- 9. locations: For the music video, the whole production is set and performed in an empty Wembley Stadium. I think this was a very clever choice; the emotional song and minimal video wouldn’t be associated with the stadium. The arena usually holds large-scale loud concerts. This contradiction has even more of an impact with ed singing to himself in the large structure. Ed is almost swamped in the wide- shots by the size of the arena, yet the audio maintaining suggests his ability as an artist. one: Intertextual links to tori kelly and Coldplay with the included aspect of performance in the video. Linking to Michael Shore’s theory that music videos are an advertisement, this may act as promotion to the artists shows. While the majority of shots are centred upon ed’s performance, a few are of behind-the-scenes in wembley, with Ed’s voice echoing into the location. Adding variety to the shots but also reinforcing the emptiness and isolation of ed as her performs. No one else there. The viewer experiences that he’s only singing the song to them, creating a personalised and more intimate feeling to the video.
- 10. lighting: Bloodstream: I think there’s an Intertextual link in this scene of the demented rocker slumped in a chair, drinking with a gun. Referencing ‘Kill Bill Volume 2’ where The Bride goes to kill Budd, but he shoots her. The audience are positioned to dislike both men, the darkened lighting In both cases creates a villainous and tense atmosphere created by dim shadowy lighting. The ambient fire lighting created positions the audience at a low- angle, looking at the subject through the flames. Connotations with a villainous nature, possibly wanting the audience to dislike this man. Alternatively, reflecting his mental depletion, the insanity that he’s descending into engulfing him. Flames associated with hell; his own home has become hell for him, The ‘ambient’ lighting of sunlight sifting through the curtains give a slight golden-tint, reflecting his wealth. But this acts as backlighting; the male cast in the shadows, connoting his negative representation. Non-ambient Key-lighting has been used in this scene to illuminate the subject. The male drinking from the bottle, gun in his right hand. The focus of lighting showing him as well as the old, dying flowers on the left; possibly reflecting his mental decline. And the alcohol bottle on the right; referencing his alcohol problem. Lighting used to foreground props which reference and add to characteristics of the male.
- 11. lighting: one: creates a distinct opposite effect. ending with the “X” symbol refers to both the album name and album cover, therefore promoting the song through the music video; which establishes the link between the video and the song, acting as promotion. The use of lens flare is emphasised by the black and white contrast, creating the effect of simulating to the audience what it’s like to be the performer The choice of black and white creates a more defined contrast with the backlighting. As Ed performs be becomes silhouetted to the viewer. The surreal-like lighting which connotes performance in the spotlight The use of Performance lighting, from spotlights in the arena, creates connotations of live shows and these big sold-out concerts that are held in Wembley Stadium. Big Artists like ‘Take That’ performing there. Although there are these intertextual links to big names. the contrast to them that looking out on wembley stadium. a view not many people will be able to experience in their life. the use of the lighting at the end of the music video comes from two of the non-ambient spotlights, the chiaroscuro contrast between light and dark this music video presents is much more minimal, the empty arena and single-source lighting creates a simple and peaceful atmosphere compared to the crowds normally.
- 12. Audience: one: Bloodstream: Although the audience may not warm to the male character featured in the music video, I think the video does have a message amongst the narrative presented. The male has all this wealth and fame, yet isn’t happy, falling into a spiral of alcoholism and what seems to be depression. In this capitalist and consumerist society where material possession and financially driven goals are valued highly. Consumerism somewhat dictates a lot of people’s lives. I think the end of the video establishes that fame can ultimately be destructive to a human. It shows that although ‘Celebrity Status’ may seem desirable, living that life isn’t always fun. this references Stuart Hall’s Encoding / Decoding Model Theory; where what the creator encodes into the production may be different to what the audience decode. I think this music video has multiple layers of analysis depth; on first watch, they may not be reachable. The relationship created between the performer and viewer is seen to be represented by the closeness of some shots. but as well as intimacy of the performance being due to the empty location of Wembley stadium creating the impression the performer is singing directly to the viewer. This concept of performance being able to pass the feeling of closeness to the performer to the audience unconsciously, without them realising, links to the ‘hypodermic needle Theory.’ The audience being subject to the passing of information which may influence their behaviour or attitude towards performer or song.