A song about falling in love, understanding and being understood by someone. It captures the universal experience of longing for a connection and the bittersweet realisation that it may forever remain elusive. The music video is shot on Super 8.
The video opens with a close up of the lead singer under a blue spotlight, immediately introducing the audience to the lead singer, this then cuts to a close up of a mans hand starting a car.
0:23 - We see the first full performance shot, until this point the different sequences fade in and out of each other. We continue to see the videos fading into each other with the band and shots of the car. We see the lead singer in the car with a man, it could be implied that they are in a relationship and by fading in and out correlates with the title 'fade into you,' therefore, assuming their relationship is not happy, they cannot commit to each other and are ultimately fading in and out of love with each other.
0:38 - Mid-shot of Hope Sandoval lip syncing in the desert. Her body language makes her appear insecure and upset by holding her arm as she sings.
1:40 - Close up of half her face lip syncing still in the desert, with the wind blowing her hair over her face. She may be trying to hind herself as she does not attempt to move her hair while she's singing.
1:48 - medium shot of the two people in the car. The woman with her hair on the chair, we can see an engagement ring on her ring finger, inferring that they are an engaged couple.
2:15 - Shot of two crows on a wire and the moon. Crows are symbols of transformation, linking to the songs meaning of fading in and out of love. A crow and a moon can represent spiritual connections and the idea of destiny, which link to the meanings of true love.
There's nothing holding me back - Shawn Mendes
The video opens with a wide, establishing shot of one of the locations featured in the music video. Then a quick cut to the name of the artist, and then a cut to a long shot of him. A cut to the woman in the music video's name, and then a cut to her. This introduction immediately tells the audience who the characters are in the music video.
0:17 - Shots of a music venue suggest that parts of this music video will include performance sequences along with the narrative.
0: 34 - When Shawn Mendes starts singing, the video cuts to them on a train, their body languages suggests that they are a couple.
0:44 - Close ups are used of the characters to instantly show the audience their reactions and feelings.
Different locations are shown throughout the video to suggest they go everywhere together, or that he is on tour and travelling a lot and taking her with him.
0:58 - Constant use of sequences where they are affectionate towards each other confirming to audiences that they are in a very serious and loving relationship.
1:24 - Montages of them both running and dancing round Paris, showing they are young and care-free. This would appeal to audiences who enjoy the romance genre.
1:39 - High up wide shot of a moving car, establishing a new location.
1:58 - Use of slow motion throughout, matching the pace of the song. This is then juxtaposed when the song speeds up and we see sequences of them running or on bikes together.
The fast paced song is matched with the music video throughout.
You & I - One Direction
This music video is solely performance, as the camera pans back the location is established.
Editing is used to transition between each of the members of the band as they sing their part of the song.
They maintain eye contact throughout the video to show they are addressing us as viewers while they sing. I like the way the video feels as though it was shot in one take, even though with the transitions between the boys, we know it was not.
Heartbreak Girl - Five Seconds of Summer
The video starts with the members setting up their instruments, this implies that performance is going to be used in this music video.
0:15 Shot of the band on a tour bus, suggesting an almost behind the scenes of what tour is like for them.
0:40 - Close up and high angle shots of all members singing. Constant fades into black and white throughout the video suggest its all filmed at different times making the narrative easier for audiences to follow.
1:12 - Sequences of the band in a studio could suggest that the video is about the making of the song and what they were doing at the same time as recording - like going on tour and exploring cities.
1:41 - Same high angles and close ups suggesting they all worked together on this record and wanted it to be included in the music video.
This video ultimately shows the process behind writing songs while on tour and performing most nights.
The Man - Taylor Swift
The video begins with a wide establishing shot of an office, the camera pulls in to reveal 'the man,' later revealed to be Taylor Swift with prosthetic makeup. The title of the song is also on the window panes immediately introducing you to the song.
0:19 - Our first impressions of 'the man' are negative ones. We can infer that he is the boss of the company and treats his staff poorly, by shouting at them and throwing things, however they praise him at his command.
0:36 - A medium long shot is used to show the discomfort he is causing on a train. He is spreading his legs, leaving minimal room for anyone else, and smoking a cigar. Close ups are used of other passengers to show their disgust.
0:53 - Taylor Swift is famous for leaving 'easter eggs' in her music videos, and this wall is the biggest one yet. With the graffiti being of her past albums that she does not own and a missing poster reading 'If found return to Taylor Swift' subtly showing her anger at the situation. The other poster of the rule against scooters is a dig at Scooter Braun who currently refuses to give Taylor ownership of her own music - causing her to re-record many of her albums. These 'easter eggs' would be instantly picked up on by Taylor Swift fans.
1:12 - A short sequence showing the objectification of women and only being there for a mans benefits.
1:56 - A change in location, with lots of close ups used to suggest the praise her receives everywhere he goes, even though he is only doing the bare minimum.
2:26 - The tennis sequence is filmed in slow motion, giving audiences the chance to take in his reactions to not doing well in the game. A medium close up of ball girl looking fed up with his actions is significant.
3:01 - Montage of all the different segments of the music video where 'the man' is being celebrated.
3:04 - Panning shot of poster - another easter egg.
3:33 - The song comes to an end, the man walks of the tennis court to talk to the director, who is Taylor Swift, she then tells him to be 'sexier' and 'more likeable.' She then tells the ball girl that what she did was perfect, we can infer that Taylor has been told to be sexier and more likeable in her music videos by a male director. The stereotypes being reversed in this music video is incredibly powerful.
This music video is very much Taylor taking a stand against stereotyping for men and women, by showing an example of a very arrogant man.
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