Analysis Of A2 And Real Music Video- Part 1

The original song was created by Sia, she is hugely known for her use of disguise, using a wig to cover the integrity of her face. The song was released in 2014 as part of her sixth studio album, 1000 Forms Of Fears. She wrote the song along with Greg kurstin and Samuel Dixin, also having an input on the track. The music video was officially released to YouTube on the 23rd of April 2015. The video was filmed for Heidi Klum lingerie line; starring Klum and Game of Thrones actor Pedro Pascal as a couple who are in a complex and dramatic relationship. The video portrays their relationship and the idea of the female character burning their home while they watch the house burn. In the video Sia does not appear but the use of her blonde wig does make an appearance. Sia was not involved in the process of creating and making the video, but instead stated that  she licensed the use of the song to be used in a lingerie commercial. The song however was released on the 19th of June 2015, it was a song that is not a single but in fact a part of the album that she was releasing which had the track on. 

In the first initial imagery of the video, the setting is what is very much displayed to the viewers. The imagery shown is what appears to be a house, which is dark and under grips of the trees; giving the impression of hands controlling the house like a puppet. Therefore, adding a horror style idea from the image. The open text covering the imagery is white, contrasting heavily against the black imagery of the background; displaying a monochrome feel and appearance. The typography itself is strong and firm with the lines creating structure, however this also continued on the edges of each letter. Remaining present to the opening image. The size itself is relatively small, giving the typography a element of class and elegance. Overall, the initial first impressions of the video shows a sinister and a sense of loneliness, as from what can be seen is the location deserted with little life other than the surrounding trees to the location. The glimpse of light in the background from the moon along with the white lettering creates a sense of hope and faith of there being light at the end of a very dark tunnel. The moon is very natural and the only source of light. The setting all seems very natural and weathered with the wooden beams to the edging and exterior of the building, shedding scraps and shards of wood. 

As the video moves and progresses into the main story, glimpses of the house can seen. The wide angle shot, moving into a panning shot, sets to scene of the interior items in the location. The fact that a clean bed with loose linen curtains covering and distorting the access, to look into the property. The fact that the camera restricts view, creates the feeling that someone is on the bed out of view. Questioning what is fact going on in the room. The use of monochrome remains with the darkness of the night, and the light of the moon along with the white of the bed linen. The brown of the wooden bed and the chair sitting the corner of the room, shows a very traditional furnished feel. Something associated with a much older generation, rather than someone of a young age. The second image however plays a very contrasting effect, with wildlife and the trees dominating the scenery, with the mountains outlining a silhouette, creating the perfect image.The direction in which the sun is peering from suggests a early morning or a morning from the night before. demonstrating, that this is previous to the shot above. The continuation of a wide shot keeps them relating to each, although the audience are unsure as to why they relate yet. The interior shot is very secluded and tight, being stuck within 4 walls, where as the second shot is as open as can be, continuing for miles in that one shot, being free and knowing there is no limit to this space.  In the mid ground, a car can be seen with smock emerging from behind the car, this is a mixture of smoke from the exhaust and the gravel from the roads, as they are very natural rather than man-made. Displaying the first sights of life in the video. To conclude, they show darkness and light, contradicting imagery that perceives the idea that a mixture of dark and light will create a struggle before things can be seen to get better. A metaphor of what life can be like. 

Theses over the shoulder and low angle, possibly worm eye view shots demonstrate the love between the couple, there looks at each other and their passion which they have for each other. Through the images light from the sun can be seen, creating a happy atmosphere compared to the present images. The fact that they are so close and interment, suggests more than just friends. The fact that they are secluded, shows that they don't want others, only each other. Furthermore, the fact they are secluded could show that they are of criminal conducts and want to be hidden, from others who may be suspicious of this. They seem to be well groomed and lack the ability to actually be criminals. On the contrary, the facial hair of the man, is very country like and a Texas related look. The lack of being able to recognize and make the whole features of the face, the lack of identity,  the idea of it being on purpose, to not be able to know who they are. This happy and intimate moment can be replicated in the use of sun and gentle branches hanging over them. The sun shows their happiness but the branches, presenting a much more feeling of unhappiness through the fact that the they are hanging over them like a regret haunts a person. Overall, they are committed to each other with the lack of temptation for others, as they are the only people to be present at that location. The fact that he is in front of her, dominants her and restricts her from moving out of his grasp, along with her head on his shoulder, shows her relies on his strength to hold her or that she is obsessed with him she can't bring herself to be from reach of him. 

In the first glimpse, it's hard to determine what exactly she is throwing other than a liquid from a container. The use of a mid, but over the shoulder shot, broadcasts her figure to be small and thin. her action to be big and large, previewing her to be stronger than she is and capable to much more harm than we think. Her setting a fire, hiding his mistake or her, the fact that he has her controlled and eating from the palm of his hands, knowing she is hypotised under him and his love, she will command to his control. That they are setting a fire, running from the situation rather than confronting it, their one true weakness. The use of costume and covering her appearance, disguising her. In contrast, their is no one around so why would her identity matters. she covers her hair with a wig and her torso with a coat, but her hands are without gloves, meaning the situation will catch through fingerprints, Although the house will be nothing by the time someone else arrives, leaving no trace of who was their before. The aggression and strength of the flames, indicate the temper he controls her with but in the video little violence is used, so the heat and passion in the relationship perhaps. She is willing to commit a crime, a result for the strength of her love for him. To conclude, she is showing strength, as she is taking control of the situation even if it could have criminal consequences. 

The representation of the wolf, shows a dominate and alpha male. The fact that the wolf is on looking to the fire and burning house, achieves strength over the house and the strength that couple have now over the burning building. They have the power to allow the house to burn. They don't however have control on whether to stop the fire, as the fire is hard to control and take charge. A battle between the human and nature. The wolf standing calm and on looking, he lacks fear of the flames and instead, a harmony between them all. The white of his fur around the eyes, drawn the attention to the direction in which the wolf is looking. The wolf seems calm and relaxed, even through there is a fire, no panic in the wolf. Overall, he is looking at something that he considers as normal, otherwise he would react. Therefore, I feel that he is drawn to the fire. They show equality and the idea of being part of one instead of individuals, due to fact they also all alpha males in that society.  

The final moments of the video, proceeds in performing the outcome of her results. The idea that her back is turned from the result, indicates that she can not come to terms in what she has brought herself to do. The fire glows against the darkness of the night, making more of  a statement compared to fire being started during the day. Creating more visual effect to the audience. The time period also shows their to be little sign of anyone, being more quiet and discreet compared to setting the fire in the middle of the day. Him peering at the fire, over her shoulder adds a feeling of that they can move on, leaving the past behind them. What matters is the future and their life's together. The fire glows on his face, brighten and warming him, seeming softer than the hard person he has been displayed to be. The trees in this imagery seem limited, not being able to control the house as they have done before. Getting there hands burned from the flames, leaving the house to be in its own devices. In contrast, they have lost the control they had, abandoning the house. In conclusion, the video manifests power, and control, taming what can't be tamed. Nature crossing paths with the living, getting caught up in something that they had no chose in. This video of empowerment and covering mistakes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzM1gqQrmnA 

The video replicates a complex love story, the video is moving and expressing the complications of love and sexuality, assuming he is heterosexual and convincing himself he is, but through social media and questioning himself causing the reveluation that he is in fact gay.  The type of genre in which this video is relevant to is electropop and synth pop. The ideal used in terms of portraying a love story, is very much adhering the conventions in the Pop genre, therefore easily fitting into genre of Pop effectively and efficiently. Further, a contrasting element is the fact that they expressed a love story, that shows beyond the heterosexual relationship. The era of time changing and same sex marriage legal fits to the time period, but pushing the boundaries of modern Pop, showing a meaning that love is love no matter your sexuality or gender. The fact that they are young targets of a teenage audience, those who are struggling to understand themselves in many aspects, including their sexuality. The fact that predominantly males are used, targets the gay community rather than a lesbian community, the use of a heterosexuals in the video helps to target a much wider audience. The fact that they are struggling in the relationship, often relates to teens who are seen to have girl or boy troubles as they are often classified.

The type of video created is a narrative, in the sense that it portrays a complex love story. The idea that he portrays elements of singing to camera, extends to genres into a cross between narrative and performance. The use of narrative is more dominant, compared to performance, but the use of performance creates a connection between the artist and the audience. The fact that the artist of the track features throughout the story line, demonstrates who exactly the track relates to. The video portrays a male role, differentiating against the original video, showing more of a female role.The use of having a male, however assisting her, proves the equality in gender, but the story of the relationship. The lack of ethnicity shows a very white culture for the video, 

The representations portrayed in the video is mainly gender, age and sexuality. The way they have been incorporated is through the use of relationships, with a vary of relationships, mainly heterosexual or friendships. The use of age is limited, with mainly 18 to 21 years of age. Representing the youth. This is common in Pop, mainly targeting the young,  as many of singers are young themselves. The gender is versatile,  exhibiting the natural genders that occur, but the lack of transgender remains, it's hard to see or notice anyone who is transgender therefore, it maybe in the video but be hard to see. The inter-textual references is mainly through the use of branding, of  Apple, Smirnoff and Budweiser. The use of social media is also expressed, mainly in Instagram with some use of Snapchat. Through this it transfers the modern way of contacting others, It also adheres to the stereotypes of teenagers. The use of alcohol, shows a variety of spirits and beers, various volumes with the increase in the game and the night, the alcohol becomes stronger. Alcohol is common in Pop/ R'n'B tracks, as the youth are known for partying hard. By the end of the video, a more sexual nature is shown, an occurring idea of when drink is involved, sex is also present. 

The intended target audience, are in fact late teens to early twenties, due to the fact of the characters in the video. They are mature in terms of being able to drink alcohol and enjoy poker, they are still youthful, as they all have a young complexion, showing little age in the video. The use of fire demonstrates that they are taking risks and literally playing with fire, something that a younger and much less experienced person would do. The use of thunder and lightening in the video shows a spark of energy and a flick in mood or temper, often related to teenagers and hormones. The flickers of thunder could also spark in discovering who they truly are, instead of who they are pretending to be. The use of  skin and flesh, refers to a sexual nature, more grown up compared to a younger target audience. The use of sex, attraction and contact between others is a huge element expressed, an element shown as you gain age and grow. It flaunts passion for others and love, therefore a teenage to young adult target audience is more appropriate. The use of games and experimentation relates heavily to those are stereotypically young and playing with fire, going to extremes and pushing the boundaries, living on the edge, a stereotype for adolescences.   

The video itself highlighted a number of strengths and weaknesses, ranging from the camera use to the narrative of the video. The video I found to be very professional, maintaining a mature feel through looking at love beyond what is considered the norm, by looking at gay relationships it conveys age and growth as a person. They fact the actors have taken the role so seriously expresses the maturity that age brings. Although, some of the shots within the video, they are in fact unsteady and does make aspects of the video hard to determine what in fact is taking place in the shot. Detracting from the narrative that they are trying to achieve. Furthermore, the use of narrative is excellent with integrated flickers of other shots like sparking flames and fire. The use of Bird or Dove shows movement in the video, but the colour showing purity and innocence. The use of the Dove, creates the same effect as the wolf in the original video. Incorporating an inter-textual idea from the initial video. The use of a love story has also remained, but with a subtle twist of it being a Gay love story, showing what has changed over the last 50 years into the norm. The video itself has a environmental feel with man-made and natural materials being displayed, working as one. However, more man-made objects are present, the change now in the 21st century. The modern building contrasts against the old building in the original video. The use of bird moving harmonies with the Fire, creating a fight or flight response. With the bird moving, maybe running from the fire, considered as a natural reaction through human instinct. 

Another aspect of weakness, is the use of lighting within the shots of the poker scene, I feel that it is too artificial, overpowering the meaning and intensifying the image too much. It seems unnatural compared to the video as a collection. They really need to consider the lighting, as in other areas in some of the shots it's hard to see what is actually happening with the room being so dark, unable to see the footage; changing the perception of the video, as well as, confusing the audience on what is going on. I also found the typography to be very similar to the lettering in the opening, with the use of white. The font style is in fact much smaller and thinner but keeps the same effect as what is in the real video. To conclude, the video itself is very strong with areas that slightly detract against the video, but overall a very strong and well thought out video.The video shows young love, mistakes and finding who you truly are as a person, all the things youth experiment with.