LANA DEL REY ~ ‘RIDE’By Kieran Barnes

PROLOGUE – 0:00 – 3:24 The video opens with an establishing shot of the Nevada

Valley of Fire , accompanied by various close ups of Del Rey swinging on a tire cutting in and out. The principle location is set with an already powerful introduction of star image shown in a intriguing dreamy light.

As the audience hears the acoustics of the deep emotive intro , Lana’s first words of the prologue create an expressive connection with the audience – mirroring that of the melodramatic Golden Age of Cinema. The bleak reflective tone of the entire video is already set in the first opening shots.

A sense of loneliness in the star persona is then established through an integration of short flashes of long and mid-shots depicting Del Rey walking down a street in the evening. As well as creating atmosphere , this has been purposely included to show the prominence this location will take later on in the video.

Reflecting the words ‘I once had dreams of becoming a beautiful poet’ , a further short flash cutting in of Lana, alone as a singer on a stage ,victimises her. The imagery of a fired gun further develops this suggesting that her hopes have now been dashed.

A variation of different shots are used to further depict her as a helpless soul waiting in the street , but then this develops the narrative into imagery of Del Rey appearing to ‘sell herself’ to a curb caller. Aside from demonstrating some slight relief , this development expresses the statement that she has ‘no moral compass’ , creating a clear divide with her portrayal previously.

Leading towards the end of the prologue , Lana is shown through wide and mid-shots back on the stage in a glamorous gold dress. Conveying the message of ‘who belonged to everyone’ , Del Rey turns her solitary mood into one of the consumption of fame and a yearning for attention.

MAIN BODY OF THE SONG – 3:25 -8:06 Camera panning ,from the floor to reveal Del Rey’s full

body, marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the star. However , the costume choice of a dazzling white gown ultimately ensures a sense of fragile innocence remains.

Shots of Del Rey lip-syncing the opening of the song on stage show that there are elements of ‘performance’ to the video. An integration of audience applause imagery and mid-shots of her and her lovers conveys the self-interest of the music industry and the intimacy of love.

As the video develops away from the first use of lip-syncing of the song , the synonymous imagery of Del Rey draped in an American flag first appears between cuts back to her lovers. This is a clear use of her famous referencing to pop-culture and vintage Americana.

Cutting back to one of her lovers clearly abusing his power , the lyrics of ‘Don’t break me down , I’ve been travelin’ too long’ are reflected by her image as the desperate perfect , Lolita.

As the appearance of the words ‘fatal charm’ demonstrate the costume change to a passionate red , the lyric ‘I just ride’ begins a camera movement of tracking the journey of highway motorcyclists. Del Rey is shown to hold her place firmly as the female amongst them ,with the return of the American flag image indicating freedom.

From this and a series of varying shots , wide and mid-shots depict a downbeat Del Rey at a petrol station smoking her problems away. This night scene can then be considered a turning point when the return of the motorcyclists signals a restoration of liberation in her.

A further turning point surfaces as a transition shot depicts her wrapped in the flag around a campfire. The united company of the motorcyclists prevents a return to isolation , creating a huge contrast with the differing mood of the prologue.

As the framing of the shots changes to show that her exhaustion at her life has regained control , the lyrics ‘I’m tired of driving ‘till I see stars in my eyes’ are expressed with the inclusion of a Native American headdress determining a confusion in persona. The camera flashes to the bonfire and fireworks mirroring the frantic qualities of her mind , but a calm peaceful imagery takes precedence as the video moves into the epilogue.