Music videos lesson 2- 24/02/21

 Key terminology

Cross cutting: An editing technique most often used to establish action occurring at the same time.

Close Up: A camera shot that tightly frames a person or object often to allow us to see in great detail.

Tracking shot: A shot where the camera follows backward, forward or moves alongside the object being recorded.

Low angle: A shot from a camera angel positioned anywhere below the eye line, pointing upwards, often to make the object seem more imposing. 

Rule of thirds: A type of composition in which an image is divided evenly into three, both horizontally and vertically, and the subject of the image is placed at the intersection of those dividing lines to attract our gaze.

Dissolve: A gradual transition from one image to another.

Juxtaposition: Two things being seen or placed closed together with contrasting effect.

Fade: When the scene gradually turns to one colour (often black or white) to signal the end of a scene.

Jump cut: A piece of footage being removed in order to render the effect of jumping forwards in time.

Graphic Match: A cut from one shot to another where the composition of the two shots are matched.

Action Match: When the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action (e,g. grabbing a door handle, then a shot of the door opening)

Connotations: An idea or feeling which makes you think or feel something in addition to its literal meaning.

Emeli Sande- Heaven

Location

Natural world vs urban life. The video contains shots of the natural world including a field and flowers and then contrasts with shots of city life including cars and shops. This contrast suggests that we live multiple lives within society- one that is natural and one that is more constructed for approval by society. 

Intended star image

• A serious artist with a social message
• Independent 
• Strong 
• Down to earth 
• Unique

How scenes in the music video are used to construct her star image

Scene: Emeli stood in the street singing the chorus

Camera shot/ angle: Performance shot of Emeli singing the chorus in the street. The camera is close up on her face to show her passionately singing the lyrics. The camera pans up from her hands as her hands are shown to look like they are praying- creating a religious reference.

Editing: The editing is fast as we first are shown Emeli performing in the street and then it cuts to her hands and pans up to her face. This shows the fast world we live in and how things change quickly- adding to the message in the song.

Mise-en-scene: The setting is outside as she is stood in the street next to a tree, which allows the natural and urban worlds to be mixed. Emeli is wearing all black which suggests that her appearance isn't the focus and instead the lyrics of the song should be taken seriously. 

Star image: This helps to create her star image as it shows that she is very passionate about singing and wants to be taken seriously for it- which is important due to this being her first single debut. 

Scene: Emeli stood outside looking up to the sky singing with other shots of people's faces being shown.

Camera shot/ angle: The camera is at a low angel when we see Emeli looking up to the sky. This is to allow for her lyrics and message to appear powerful. There is then a range of shot types as we see other people: a close up of a man, followed by a high angel shot of a lady walking down stairs, a wide angle of a homeless man, and a close up of a woman. These range of angels and shot types are to reflect all the different people in society who are still affected by the same message portrayed in the song: that there is a challenge between good and evil.

Editing: Cross cutting is used to show a range of people in a range of locations. It allows for juxtapositions to be created.

Mise-en-scene: Emeli is in nature as she is looking up to the sky and singing which creates religious connotations which is then contrast by the shots of people suffering in the urban areas. All clothing is basic which connotates poverty in which people face, apart from the lady who is walking down the stairs in a red dress which has connotations that she is about to be putting herself into danger. 

Star image: This allows for Emeli's star image to be created as it shows that she is socially conscious and aware of what people are facing within society. 

Sande is portrayed as a socially conscious artist. The use of having a mixture of locations featuring a range of people allows for her to show awareness of the different challenges that people face within society. There is a reoccurring use of close ups, which helps the audience to analyse each person represented and see the struggles that they face. As this was the debut single of an artist formally seen as a back up singer it was important for Emeli to create a star image that would get her noticed and by her seen as socially conscious and in touch with ordinary people this allows for her to have an appeal.