Conventions of my sub-genre:Pop Acoustic

I have previously looked at the shot types, lighting and length of shots in my

Textual Analysis blog post.

Therefore, I will explore the other conventions of my genre: Editing and Mise

en Scene.I will use screen shots from a variety of music videos by Acoustic pop singers in my genre such as: Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding,

James Blunt and Lorde.

MISE EN SCENECOSTUME

The male costumes are very casual and laid-back every day wear. Plain t-shirts and basic clothing allow the audience to empathise as they feel the singer is ‘normal’. Also, through-out acoustic videos, the music is focused on the lyrics and music instead of an exaggerated over-dramatic

image.

The female clothing in Ed Sheeran’s songs are very basic, baggy, ripped almost giving the

implication the female is poor, This is further reflected through

the lyrics.

Due to the bedroom scenes, female lingerie appears in many music videos. However usually to

express undying love instead of a sexual appeal. The large amount of bare skin on show reflects the narrative actress being stripped of their mask, down to their true

raw self.

The female in this video wears a white dress, connoting purity and an angel. Once again, the simplicity of costume is reflected.

MISE EN SCENEMAKEUP

The makeup is normally very basic and natural. With clear, pale skin, either a nude lip or deep maroon, natural eye brows and black

eyeliner.

Lorde has a very distinct makeup- deep red lip, black

winged eyeliner and curly hair.

The hair is commonly long, naturally messy ‘bed hair’ with loose waves.

MISE EN SCENESCENERY

Out-door shots of abandoned, empty scenes is very common in our genre. Whether that be the environment, or simply a street

lit with lights. There is usually meaning/emotion behind them and they link with the

lyrics.

The indoor shots are usually bedrooms or simple

rooms with white backgrounds and light colours. The low level lighting changes the

atmosphere. It is common for the performance setting

to be the same as the narrative, however different lighting, atmosphere and a solo

singer.

Screen shots taken from James Blunt “Goodbye my Lover”

MISE EN SCENEPROPS

Duvet/sleeping bag- implies little belongings, homeless

Angel wings- connotes cupid (lyrics in song), purity, saviour, magic and power

Empty, un-made bed implies someone woke up in a rush, never returned, had a bad nights

sleep, missing personOld-fashioned camera

Electric razor suggests he’s creating a new

identity, shedding past self/bad

memories

Boxing gloves relate to fighting,

violence, need to survive

Smoke machine/bombs

MISE EN SCENECOLOUREd Sheeran’s ‘A Team’

is completely monochrome. All other music videos I have looked at are in

colour, however never brightly coloured,

normally neutral shades with lots of white.

Ellie Goulding’s Figure 8 begins black and

white and transitions into colour during this close up shot lasting 3

seconds.

EDITINGFocus Pull

Time lapse

Slow motionEffect of misty

lighting reflection

Overlaying images

PERFORMANCE0:00-0:19- Performance scene 10:19-0:24- Performance scene 20:24-0:41- Narrative 0:41-0:52- Performance scene 20:52-1:03- Narrative1:03-1:10- Performance scene 21:10-1:18- Narrative1:18-1:34- Performance scene 21:34-1:41- Narrative1:41-1:58- Performance scene 21:58-2:06- Narrative2:06-2:27- Performance scene 22:27-2:42- Narrative2:42-2:52- Performance scene 22:52-2:58- Narrative2:58-3:09- Performance scene 23:09-3:19- Narrative3:13-3:31- Performance scene 23:31-3:46- Performance scene 1

Seconds:19 5 17 11117867178211510611101615

Analysis of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Breaking Heart’

PERFORMANCEAnalysis of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Breaking Heart’

PERFORMANCEThe performance shots usually

last a longer duration on screen, with fewer shots. This example begins with an extreme close-up, to a close-up then a long shot. The camera gradually distances itself from the singer before switching to the narrative.

Analysis of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Breaking Heart’

NARRATIVEAnalysis of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Breaking Heart’

NARRATIVEThe narrative scenes have many more shots, this example with 8. I believe this is because the shots must build a story and meaning. The scene begins with extreme close-ups of body parts, giving mystery and tension. The same image is taken from two points of view- an artistic approach, this later happens

again, the second image zoomed in further.

Analysis of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Breaking Heart’