Influential music video - LONG LIVE A$AP - A$AP ROCKY

Long live ASAP is a visually clever music video it uses a black and white filter throughout which gives a dark and obscure feel. The brightness is extreme on the color white making the clarity high and giving allowing the shadow to stand out well. The use of natural locations enhanced with special effects and filters are present throughout that match to the beat of the music. closeups and fades are used for transitions between locations and whats going on. The build up to the drop of the main beat is really captured by the slow inwards pan towards to castle and the start. After this the pace speeds up and this is shadowed by the fast paced visuals. The props used are random but abstract and link to the lyrics in unusual ways, moreover they are very symmetrical which creates and artistic theme to the video.
Further into the video other characters are introduced such as women who are very elegant, the filter and shadowing enhances their body which sells the video to the viewers. Asap is seen to be the superior character who sits on a throne while women guard him, the status reference makes the video a lot more meaningful and deep. His expressions are monotone and serious bringing suspense and thrill to the video this is also shadowed by his walking towards the camera and gestures. Likewise towards the end of the video we see him situated in front a black screen, the alternating camera shots of high, low, diagonal angles and blurry focusing creates the bizarre feel to the video.


The drop of the water matches the beat of the song.




Long shots capture the artist in a superior way in this frame, the miss
en scene helps to reflect his status.




You can clearly see the women's bodies and elegant figures which attracts a male audience.



The facial expression and close up of the artist who is looking straight ahead keeps the audience interested and allows them to feel a connection to the artist.

Influential music video: Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans

Blue Jeans uses a black and white filter throughout the video, the chosen location is a summer scene in a wealthy home with a man and women who resemble a couple. The Pair are seen to be situated around the swimming pool, throughout the video there is a lot of reference to water in the way it is used, for example we see some above shots of the male diving into the water and the video opens with a blurred shot of Lana in front of a ripple of water. The water highlights the different use of light as the sun reflects off and we can see this through the black and white filter, also it gives the feeling of calming and relaxation.
As the video goes on we begin to see the use of special effects for example the male is seen to be blurry when he is undressing, Lana refers to him in the lyrics at this point, to heighten the passion. Moreover we see the couple floating around in the water together to show their deep emotion for each other, the use of the above shot here allows the audience to witness the beauty of their intimacy. The different paces in the beat make the couple either act soothing and loving or fast and rough, the male is seen to have pushed Lana underneath the water which occurs when the chorus kicks in, as this fades we see a corner shot from under the water of dancers who are very slow and therapeutic. This is made even more interesting by the inter cutting shots.

Influential music video - Born to die - Lana Del Rey

Born to die uses only 2 actors throughout the music video, the first one being the artist herself (Lana) and the second as her are lover. It begins with a gradual panning shot moving towards the artist herself who is seated on a luxurious high backed chair situated in a grand church interior. The pan allows us to take in the breath taking church interior full of patterns and exquisite beauty. Odd props such as lions are used in the video to help add to the quirky feel of a calming but dramatic atmosphere this can also be reflected from the narrative and her attitude.
The costumes used by the actors throughout are very elegant and graceful (such as long flowing white dress) for the Lana and masculine and rough for the male, this helps us to understand them and their mannerism. The music video is made up of 2 scenes, the first of her in the church alone and the seconds when she is outside in a field with her lover. The camera flashes off to this scene when she begins to get into the deeper part of her lyrics representing the "love" scenes. The play on light in theses scenes exemplifies their dark relationship which could be love or lust henceforth the intimacy between her and him really is shown through extreme close ups and close ups to really heighten the emotions and get a feel of their passions.
Nearing the end of the music video we are again shown another panning shot of the two in a car driving off into the night, again the play on the dark light and the flashing of brightness gives us a whole new feel to them. The video uses a mixture of Todorov's and Goodwin's theory as it has a small narrative but also includes random partials. The mixture of both theories helps the video as it is a slow song with a slow paced video. The variety of shots keep viewers hooked. The panning shot highlights the motion and speed and as we watch it from a distance. Finally to end the video shows her walking in a dim lit room which is where she originated in the grand church, this time her lover is their and she looks emotionless, it then goes on to show her ending the video draped in her lovers arms dead and covered in blood, we then hear here say "We were born to die". This end the video on a deep thought full of enigma and created mystery.