Analysis of Student WorkBy Sarah Page

Daughter – Youth • Looking through music videos, the music video created by Ellie

Zambikidies, caught my eye. I really enjoyed the ways in which it was edited, the symbolic meanings of the props and the narrative structure. It was evident that the music video was planned efficiently, and each shot was clearly shot using a range of different camera movements and locations. • The music video was also well executed – it looked neat, and

followed the beat and lyrics of the song.

The Video and Song• The song itself is about the end to a disastrous relationship, causing harm, and how the

singer envy's anyone whom is in a settled, happy and harmonised relationship. One of the conventions of sound and music video is to relate the sound to the music video, which is successfully completed. The girl and a boy acts out a love scene and it is made very clear that love is the main subject of the music video. The mask is symbolic to the protagonists reluctance to open up to anyone else now she has been damaged by her previous love.

• The toxicity of the relationship is heightened by the use of alcohol, and the featured colour red, which is prompted numerous times in the music video. The use of black and white evokes a colourless world without her partner, and the use of red shows two dimensions to love – the lust which is soon followed by the dangers.

Editing• Ellie was extremely creative and playful whilst experimenting with different techniques of

editing. The types of editing Ellie used were a time lapse, fast forward, reverse, and slow motion.

• I feel that not many music videos actually reach out the conventions and use the different techniques of editing like Ellie has. Ellie has explored her resources and rebelled from the codes and conventions, which in my opinion has worked to produce an original and effective music video which puts across a dark message about love.

• I feel that the use of the reversed music video at the end contributes to the climatic ending, unfolding the story, showing the memories and experiences that the protagonist went through.

• I really enjoyed the time lapse – which has less of an underlying meaning however is visually appealing, and satisfying to watch. I feel that this adds to the whole red, black and white aesthetic of the music video, and could symbolically show the protagonist opening up about her past just how the box is opening.

Camera• There are a range of diverse shots in the music video, visualising the protagonist

from many different perspectives. There are close ups of the face, long shots, extreme close ups, also pans, and tilts to view scenery.

• One of my favourite close ups was the close up of the protagonist with the mask – she has a dim, blank expression on her face, which shows the aftermath of the brutal relationship.

• Each part of the story, eg. The relationship, is kept concealed, but only released by a series of close ups. This is a playful technique which leaves the audience engaged with the music video, and kept questioning. The audiences is not provided with too much of a backstory, just a brief outline of what events occurred.

• The camera depth of field repetitively changes – there are numerous focus pulls. The camera does not focus on one subject for too long. This is interesting however a useful technique as it keeps the music video moving, with a fast pace to keep the audience engaged. It also coats the music video in glumness.

Mise-en-scene• There are a range of props which evokes a glum tone.• One prop is the door, with the paint peeling off, on a Wendy house. The door is red,

which is symbolic to the two dimensional effects of love. Some more red props are the red dress, and the small box.

• The main prop however is the mask. The mask is symbolic to reflect how the girl is how putting her barriers up now she is damaged by love (well this is how I interpreted it). The mask is burgundy, and gold. It looks delicate, just like the girl is in the music video.

• Also, the lighter is an important prop. The lighter flickering on and off is symbolic for love and how love can die in the matter of time. This reflects love as destructive.

• The lyrics are conveyed on paper. For example, the first shot is a piece of paper, with the writing ‘Youth’. I find this quite a nice introduction to the music video, showing the name of the song.

What can I learn from this video?• I feel that the main features that jump out in my eyes is the

creative use of editing and mise en scene to portray the narrative. The music video is creative in the way that the props are symbolic to the story line, and the lyrics. • I also really like the way that the music video is also visually

appealing. The use of colours and editing give the video a glum aesthetic but is also pretty. The actor doesn’t really act, however she moves and is positioned in locations that tell more of a story than her herself. • Therefore, overall this has encouraged me to follow my risky

narrative structure although it will be difficult to make look professional.