Research Blog

 Research Blog: Music Video 

My group is creating a music video that will convey the theme of heartbreak and anger. After researching and reviewing different “heartbreak” music video examples, we realized they all use similar angles and shots. They specifically use a close-up low angle view. This allows the video to convey emotion, especially the heartbreak and anger she will be experiencing. 

CAMS 

Low angle close-up shots and medium close-ups convey emotion, for example when showing tears dripping down upon their face. They also use shots where the actor is looking directly into the camera to create a dramatic effect and make an intimate connection with the viewer. This allows the audience to feel like they are part of the story. They also use close-up shots on the subject's face, which helps to focus on their emotions. Some of the researched videos had far-away shots to show isolation. 

SOUND 

For the sound we saw that some music videos use dissonance to create feelings of tension and unease, as well as to reflect the painful feelings of heartbreak. Majority of the videos lacked diegetic sound. In heartbreak videos, they often use dialogue at the beginning or end to add emersion and to help the viewer understand the context of the scene. 

CLAMPS/Mis En Scène 

Costumes would likely be casual and trendy, based off general breakup music video themes. The colors of the clothes could possibly be used to symbolize different moments throughout the relationship (e.g. light-colored clothes for the start of the relationship, dark-colored clothes for moments of sadness/loss). Lighting would follow that as well, and clips could be desaturated during the girlfriend’s moments of loneliness. In many music videos we researched, lighting was brighter in red-orange tones to bring a feeling of nostalgia in flashbacks. Acting often used tense/distanced body language during the breakup, and screaming or crying in scenes after the breakup. In almost every music video, we researched with flashbacks, physical contact, smiling or laughter were shown to emphasize change from the beginning of the relationship, especially in contrast with the scenes from after the breakup. In one specific video, smudged makeup was used for the climax of the breakup, and we noticed lighter makeup tones for happier moments of the relationship. Props like phones, photos/polaroids, and coffee cups were used in many of the videos as an addition to the visual storytelling. Sets often include a bedroom or cafe, and often times they use a car scene with the actor looking out the window. 

EDITING 

In some of the music videos we researched, the scenes were put into slow motion to show wistfulness. Additionally, some of the sadder scenes were of lower quality or were slightly blurred to add to the emotion. Some of the colors in the music videos were also desaturated or filtered to look duller, which furthers the sad effect. We also really like the idea in some of the music videos where they used jump cuts between scenes to emphasize the relationship between characters.