Textual Analysis
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This document analyzes the camera work and themes in three existing music videos to inspire the creation of the author's own music video about a breakup. Key conventions identified include alternating between happy memory flashbacks and lonely present-day shots, the protagonist reminiscing about past photos/videos, and including an argument scene. The analysis of camera angles, lighting, and emotions conveyed will inform the production of the author's original breakup-themed music video.
Textual Analysis
- 1. Textual Analysis of Existing Music Videos
- 2. Explanation… I thought it would be a good idea to take several screen shots of camera work taken from my inspirational videos (in my previous post) to illustrate the type of images I am aiming to create in my music video. Although, not all of them are specifically based on break up’s, the lyrics and the meaning of the song, has inspired me with a few ideas when it comes to creating my own.
- 3. The Script - Breakeven This is the first music video that I am going to do a textual analysis on. This music video gave me inspiration, as it is based on a break up explaining that not all relationships are plain sailing and they don’t always have a fairy-tale ending. Throughout this video, it has numerous shots that have inspired me for my take on a break up song.
- 4. I particularly like the idea of the protagonist, looking back at pictures or a video of his loved one, to show that he is reminiscing on the memories they once had. I may not use a phone to look back at the memories, due to the fact they may not be the best quality piece of technology to use. Nevertheless, it still has given me inspiration for my music video! I also like the idea of either having him filming her, or holding the phone (or whatever technological device) taking videos of themselves having a laugh and creating memories together. This point of view shot and mid shot helps the audience imagine what their relationship was like before it all went wrong.
- 5. Throughout this music video, it switches from the happy memoires of the couple, to him breaking down all alone. One of the main differences between these two shots is how when they are together the footage is in colour, whereas when he is alone, it has been edited in black and white to show how he has lost the colour and happiness of his life. This enables the audience to sympathise with the protagonist and feel his pain of the break up. This again has given inspiration, to demonstrate how the couple were once in love and had something to be happy about, but now he is left alone, he can only reminisce of the times they once shared.
- 6. This is a typical shot that you would see during a break up, either someone leaving the house after an argument or moving out due to the fact it isn’t working out anymore. I think I will try to recreate this shot somehow, as I believe it is a stereotypical shot of a break up and a convention worth sticking to. The fact he is walking off into the distance, again shows how alone and lost he is. By it being in black and white heightens the fact he has nothing left but to walk away from the situation. This again will help the audience to sympathise and connect with the character, if they have felt this emotion and pain before.
- 7. Jason Derulo - What If This is another music video which has inspirational camera shots in. Although it may not be based on a break up, it does imply that without them meeting she could have been better off. For instance, by making that one decision and action of getting the last box to move into their new house, it displays how she lost her live (or was about to as we don’t see the after shot of her getting hit from the car) and without him she still would be alive.
- 8. Although, I may not put a scene of someone getting run over at the beginning of the music video (like this one has), it has given my inspiration to put a “twist” on my creation of my break up music video. For example, the couple may have an argument, where she leaves the house and has the option to either turn back and say sorry or run away form the situation and if she chooses the second options her fate lies in her hands.
- 9. I believe this is a typical stereotype of the man trying to be the hero, by attempting to save the girl. This makes the audience heart go out for the protagonist especially when he is too late. If I ended up doing a running over scene I would definitely use this video as my inspiration.
- 10. I like the idea of the over the head shot portraying the couple having a conversation during their happy memories, as it helps the audience feel a part of their relationship. By having a photograph of the couple again shows how happy they are in each others company. I think this would be a convention for a prop and to include in mise- en-scene of my music video to help portray the difference from the happy times to the reality.
- 11. The close up of the clock stopping or going in slow motion helps create the importance of time on the relationship. In this particular music video I believe it is used to emphasise how precious time is because you have to live in the moment because you never know which day might be you're last. A mid shot of them of them messing around with food, creates a cute “lovey dovey” scene, to show the happy memories of their relationship. I believe this is a typical image you would imagine a couple in love would do and therefore I think I should stick to this convention and include a cute scene in my music video.
- 12. Lawson - When She Was Mine This is the last textual analysis I will do on the typical conventions you would expect from a complication relationship. This is one of my favourite songs and it another typical break up hybrid performance + narrative based music video. It portrays how the guy just wants to forget the memories they once had, although they are constantly running through his mind.
- 13. Here are the conventional shots you would expect from a happy relationship, where he has got his arm round her and walking hand in hand down the street. People who are or have had relationships can relate to this typical image and therefore, I should aim to stick to this convention in my music video.
- 14. Like in both “what if” and “break even”, the protagonist is looking back at images of his lover and the good times they once shared. I think this will be a must have convention to include in my music video, as all break ups or complicated relationships seem to include this type of shot.
- 15. Again like the “break even”, this video has got a scene of the couple arguing and she leaves him on his own. I believe this is another convention that I must include in my music video, as I don’t know any break up videos where they have not included an argument scene. The fact that he has his hand in his head, shows how upset he is about the situation and can’t believe what has just happened. This kind of relates to the clock scene in “what if” wishing he could turn back time. This close up helps the audience feel his pain and feel sorry for him for what has just happened.
- 16. Conclusion Now that I have analysed 3 of my inspirational videos, it has helped me understand the must have conventions included in a break up video and stimulated my mind for some ideas to include in my creation. The main things that I have taken into consideration are: • How there must be scenes that switch from the happy memories to the reality of the break up. • The protagonist should reminisce about the memories they once had, whether it is in his mind through flashbacks, by flicking through pictures or watchingvideos etc. • There should include an argument scene to display the break up and show how the aftermath has affected the protagonist.