Lily Allen Video analysis

To get a bit of background information on how music videos are shot and to gather some inspiration we shall see how Lilly Allen shoots her videos. The Lilly Allen video i will analyse is 'Smile'.

Aspects of performance/ Mode of analysis

Lily sings to the camera at various points in the video which is direct. It becomes indirect when she is seen getting revenge on her ex boyfriend and starts to act and show performance. The artist herself plays the main role in this music video.

Narrative

The narrative is non-linear at the beginning as she is seen sat on her bed upset and there is a flash back of her and her ex boyfriend when they were happy and cuddled up in bed. The rest of the video follows a linear narrative as the beginning is clear from when she is upset. Onto the middle when she is getting revenge and finally the end where she has broken her ex down and he is relying on her.

How Does The Video Create An Image For The Artist/Band

It makes us see her as someone to relate to and not a celebrity world apart. As if she was down to earth. She comes across as powerful and independent in the video. The story emphisises the modern power female role she undertakes as an image. It also puts her across as being a bit spiteful and shows weakness people can relate to.

How Do The Visuals Relate To The Song

The visuals amplify the song as the song is about her being cheated on, breaking up with her boyfriend and taking revenge. In the video we see exactly this.

Mise-En-Scene

It is first set in her house as she is sat on her bed eating a chocolate bar singing to the camera. She then meets a man on a worn down street corner where she gives him money. The man talks to some hooded youths who beat up the characters boyfriend which she takes pleasure in. The couple meet in a cafe while a scene of the boyfriends flat being trashed is played. Lilys charater then puts laxatives in the boyfriends before he returns to his trashed flat. He then tries to go to work at a club dj'ing but finds all his records are cut. She also has her trademark dress with trainers combo and gold earrings.

Use Of Camera

In the bedroom different angles are used including lots of closeups to show her face when she is singing. Also mid-shots are used to see her sitting on the bed and pannings around her room. Flashes of quick camera angles changes are used when the hooded youths are trashing the flat. A long tracking shot is used to show her walking at the end down a street.

Editing

Shot reverse shot is used when her and her ex boyfriend are in the cafe having a conversation and also when she is in the street talking to the man on the corner. The editing is fast paced as it changes camera regularly and changes back and forth to different scenes to pick up pace.

Representation

Lily is seen as a regular person going through a break up. When she seeks revenge on her ex she seems as spiteful but also powerful as she is doing something to get back at him for hurting her.

Genre

The genre for this music is pop.

Audience

Young teenager (predominantly girls).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxDrVUrSvI