Music Video Analysis 2

Music video analysis; Lorde

In Lorde's music video for her song 'Team' there are many ways in which its symbolic and technical codes can be interpreted as to how this reflects her as an artist. 

The music video begins with an establishing shot of the ocean, and this shot is significant as it sets the mood for the song; that being a wild and adventurous narrative. The crashing and chopping waves symbolise the lyrics and deepen the meaning, the lyrics of the song are also quite wild and chaotic. 

The next establishing shot is what appears to be a desolate building and it resonates the colour palate utilised in the shot of the sea and the dim blue colours seen create a sad and deep meaning which again symbolises the lyrics as they aren't exactly happy lyrics, eg 'we've not yet lost all our graces'. Additionally the mise en scene shows the setting which again reinforces the overall vibe of the music video being from the indie/alternative genre.

Here the clothing and appearance seen reflects again the alternative genre; the baggy shirt and over-sized, retro leather jacket are conventions of the genre as typical audiences who listen to indie music will also dress like this. The reception theory links to this as the audience will notice the attire of the characters within the narrative and relate to the genre more significantly. Additionally, the graffiti on the walls is a convention of the indie genre, that being recklessness of youths and how they are mischievous. It suggests they don't listen to the rules and links to the lyrics which are about teenagers. 

The use of this close up shows a deep focussed shot of the character in the narrative with an emotional facial expression which links closely with again further conventions of the alternative genre, that being that within indie music videos you often see narrative characters/ the artist appearing more serious than for example the likes of a pop artist who would be more smiley. Additionally, the deep focus enhances the individual and makes this facial expression stand out, drawing the audiences attention to him. Still, in the background we can see more desolate settings which suggest the boy is isolated or separated from society. 

In this over the shoulder shot, the boy is approaching someone on a motorbike. The over the shoulder shot suggests the boy is calm, which contrasts with the speed of which the person on the motorbike is going at; this symbolises the hectic and adventurous life style of the teenagers involved in the narrative, and suggestively the audience. This shot also makes it appear as if the danger reflected is the norms to these conventional 'rebellious' teenagers. The smoke is significant because it symbolises the danger and mischief of which indie teens live by. 

This shot of the narrative character on the floor in the dirt again reinforces the dangerous lifestyles of indie teens which are represented in the narrative and the blood on his nose symbolises the pain within the meaning of the lyrics. The ariel shot suggests that he is inferior, which on a deeper meaning could suggest the place of regular people like him being at the bottom of society, arguably which is what the lyrics are about. 

Overall in this music video, I think that the narrative distinctively reflects the lyrics of the song; they are about a community of rebellious/ outcast teenagers who are disconnected from society but feel like a unity. The isolation of the teenagers is reflected through the series of desolate settings seen in the music video and the dull colour palate. 

How will analysing this Music Video help me in making my own?

By analysing this music video it has not only allowed me to see the ways in which Lorde creates meaning for her lyrics through her narrative but has also allowed me to identify the codes and conventions which can be utilised within an Alternative music video, specifically to Lorde as an artist also. 

It has helped me see which features are important to consider when producing my own music video for one of Lorde's songs such as...

1. The colour palate to set the mood
2. the lighting to enhance certain features
3. camera angles to show position within society for example, (binary oppositions theory can be utilised here)
4. mise en scene i.e. clothes, actors, setting, etc...
5. sound, eg the ocean at the beginning set the mood of the song
6. symbolic codes such as the graffiti and lights to highlight the alternative genre conventions.