Research: Analysis of similar products #1

Lucy Spraggan - Dear You

Artist: Lucy Spraggan

Album: I Hope You Don't Mind Me Writing

Released: 2017

Genre: Folk

At the beginning of Lucy Spraggan's 'Dear You' music video, we can hear diegetic sounds of children playing and laughing whilst black screens and titles are shown. Initially, the inclusion of these is ambiguous, but after hearing the lyrics, these seem to be used as a reflection of the characters childhood together. In some ways, this could be adhering to Andrew Goodwin's lyric theory. This theory suggests that we analyse the relationship between lyrics and the visuals and such presented alongside them. Here, the producer has encompassed the idea of childhood memories with a diagetic sound that seems typical of these memories. Additionally, the positive atmosphere that these create contrasts with the other themes of: suicide, depression and grievance in the following narrative. This may have been used to symbolise the naivety of individuals towards the suffering of others.

The first shot that we see is of a dimly lit staircase. A fade from black to the shot is used to introduce the scene, perhaps to create a cinematic feeling, or otherwise connote the fading in and out of peoples lives. The effect of this upon the audience, is that it sets an oppressive feeling to the video. though, simply, this may have been used to create a soft transition between the titles and the main body of the video, where a sharp cut may have dramatised the video in way that would be more suitable for a pop/rock music video. Additionally, the fade from black and to black at the end of the music video could be symbolic of the process of birth and death. This is relevant to the lyrics as they describe childhood and death as a life process. The character is approximately 20/30 in the video, therefore the fade to black at the end suggests that death can come at an earlier date than it naturally should. Again, this symbolism helps to strengthen the narrative/themes and negative feelings that the video aims to create.

The low level shot used here could be symbolic of the low self-esteem, self confidence and self worth of the characters. This is further emphasised in the following shot, where the camera tracks up to meet a mirror, where the protagonist is looking at himself. The use of a mirror is often a symbol of conflict. The conflict that we see here could be his conflicting emotions towards himself; where he wants to be happy but his mental health counteracts this desire. Moreover, the use of a mirror can be used in film to suggest change in a character. This works alongside the change that we see this character go through as the music video progresses. Initially, he appears to be a normal male, acting in typical fashion. Then, as the lyrics reveal the suicide of his friend, we see his emotional state deteriorate. the change here is that he begins emotionally stable, before being heavily effected by the loss of a close friend. The aggressive manner in which he reacts to the news suggests that he feels either: guilt, regret or anger towards his death. Low level lighting from hall in the first shot and throughout could connote these same feelings.

Another shot that I believe is significant in this music video is the close up of the main characters face. The audience is introduced to this shot when the camera tracks forward, up and then stops and tilts upwards to meet his face in the mirror, when it then cuts to this close up. It's notable that his facial expression seems pained. Including this towards the beginning, when we are initially introduced to his character means that we already begin to assume the nature of the content. The content throughout is quite distressing, in that it depicts somebody physically and emotionally struggling. I will use this same technique to set the tone of my own music video. However, I want to use the opposite of this to trick the audience into thinking that the character is trouble-free, to then reveal that his emotional wellbeing is suffering.