West Coast AnalysisBy Lana Del Reyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKxuiw3iMBE

Megan Do

CAMERAWORK The video opens with an establishing shot of the beach, the literal, ‘West Coast’ which fits with the lyric of ‘Down on the West Coast they got a sayin’. This establishing shot sets the scene and mood for the entire video and allows viewers to know that the main setting is the beach. It also allows viewers to know that the song fits with the setting and they both come together to create a story.

The video gradually moves on to a point where Lana Del Rey (the artist) is in the video. This medium close up introduces her to the video and shows that she is down on the West Coast with her friends and boyfriend. This shot also shows her to be care free, like she is enjoying her time there. The scene is quite bright considering the black and white effect and this could show that Lana’s life is more exciting when she is on the West Coast.

Just after, there is a close up of Lana. This close up shows her with her hand over her heart as she sings the lyrics of her song which could connote that she is loving the setting around her or her song. This create familiarity with an audience because she is singing her own song. At this stage it is clear that the video mainly features her moving around singing the song rather than an actual story happening. It also shows that her song (the lyrics) fit with the scene.

CAMERAWORKEventually the video progresses to a new scene of Lana with another man in a car, where a close up is used. Here she is still singing the song as the car passes different scenes and the song has completely slowed down compared to the start which could show how her life has also slowed down which is why she is just passing life in a car. The scene is very dimly lit which could represent that she is living a more ordinary, dull life.

This extreme close up gives an audience a better view of Lana and also reveals her emotions. Her expression is quite dull most likely because the song has slowed down considerably whereas at the start of the video she was laughing and smiling when the pace was quicker.

EDITINGIn West Coast effects are used as part of editing. A flame/fire effect is used near the end of the video. This is the first colour scene in the video as the rest is black and white. This fire/flame effects suggest passion or a burning desire which Lana may have for the West Coast or her lover in the video.

Just after the fire effect is introduced there is a fade from one black and white shot to the colour shot and this happens for a few seconds. It could imply that her life was dull but now it’s not. It could also imply that her life was /is exciting and she wanted to further show it by using fire to reveal her passions. It could also show that her life has fuelled her so much that she is now extremely passionate about what she does, e.g. driving around with old men in cars.

EDITING

Slow paced editing is used around 1:15 for at least a minute. This slow paced editing just after the video was originally fast paced could show how Lana’s life has slowed down and it fits with the pace of the song as that also slows down. It also makes the scene feel quite sad which is typical of an indie music video. There is also a black and white effect featured throughout the entire video apart from one scene which could show that this video is meant to represent the past or a boring time. It might also have been put in black and white purely because it suited the song and style and looked nice.

SETTING (MES)

The setting of the video shifts between two. At first, the video is set on the beach and just next to the beach where there are palm trees. This suggests an exciting trip/story. There are a lot of people including the artist playing around on the beach which forces an audience to watch what is happening. Just after when the pace/song slows down, the setting changes to the artist in a car with a male character. This slow scene with the artist singing makes a viewer focus on the lyrics of the song rather than the action in the video.

WHAT I LEARNT…By analysing this music video I have learnt key things that I must include when making my own music video. I learnt that camerawork, editing and setting is key. I must think about angles and camera shots when I film my music video so that it is not shaky or unclear. I must also make sure I establish the scene if there is an important one. I must include some close-ups of the artists to create familiarity with an audience and to help make the artist more popular.When editing my video I have learnt that I must think about possible effects before using them for no reason. I must have a reason when using certain effects otherwise my music video may not make sense. I also need to focus on setting. I need to make sure the setting(s) used in my music video fit with the song or story and have a reason for being used otherwise my video would look ridiculous if it featured a lake randomly for no reason.