Ed Sheeran-Thinking Out Loud

9 Shots with annotations

1.

Shot 1

• I like the use of back lighting to create a silhouette of the dancer. Also the contrast in colour between the red and the black is strong and bold, especially since they hold connotations for passion etc.

• The dancer is on a stage, making the opening feel like a proper performance and therefore making the rest of the video a lot more intimate as the setting changes.

2.

Shot 2

• In the space of a few seconds, the atmosphere in the video changes from steamy and intense to this sweeter and more intimate style, mostly through the change in lighting and location. This shot was taken during a panning shot that tracks her movement onto the dance floor.

• I also like the lense flares from the bright light as it draws attention to the lighting used through-out the video.

3.

Shot 3

• In this shot, I really liked the use of the profiles (spotlights) in drawing attention to the two dancers coming together. It is well framed and fairly symmetrical with the two columns in the centre being lit up with a soft light. This wide and long shot allows the audience to track the to dancers and also gives them an idea of the grandeur of the room they are in, even though it looks empty.

4.

Shot 4

• Again, the feature that I noticed most in this shot is the dynamic and different use of lights to create a heart shape on the floor with the two dancers in the middle. The shot is quite cheesy but it is effect because it has the ‘cute factor’!

• It is also a more interesting angle as a crane shot at a high angle looking down on them. It is made even more appealing by the detail of the chandelier in the top left corner, again giving the impression of luxury and class.

5.

Shot 5

• I liked this shot because of it’s interesting layout and the way that it could be a representation of their feelings for each other (their life has been turned upside down and they have been knocked on their backs- their love etc.)

• It also catches the watcher’s attention because it makes them have to think and realise that the shot is upside down. Because it is different to the norm and what they are expecting, the will pay better attention because of the change.

6.

Shot 6

• There are more lense flares here but it looks like they come from the female dancer as she is in front of the light. The effect means that she looks quite angelic and the shot has an ethereal look about it.

• I also liked this shot for the effect that the female dancer’s costume has as it flares out. I would like to have costumes that emphasise their movements and still fit with the style of the video.

7.

Shot 7

• This is an example of the variety of different shots taken from different levels and angles. It makes the images more eye-catching and the composition of the images also helps with this. The variety of angles makes it so that the watcher can experience the dance moves as well as possible with match-on-action etc.

8.

Shot 8

• I chose this shot because it displays the exciting and exhilarating dance moves that Ed Sheeran and his partner executed. The cinematography displays this dancing, the duos costumes and ethereal quality of the room caused by the lighting and light flares.

9.

Shot 9

• This is a long shot from a low angle of the dancers and the view is slightly obstructed by a table and chairs. This addition of set to the location gives the impression that they are dancing in an area that has been cleared (like a cafe or restaurant after closing time with chairs on the tables). In my opinion it makes the video feel more romantic but it is deserted except for them, making it special.