Symbolism and Justifications

Prior to the filming process, we spent a good amount of time planning our music videos, what we would include in it etc. An important part of our planning was thinking about including metaphors to give our music video some weight, rather than it simply being a video with a performance section and a narrative based performance. After brainstorming a few ideas, I came to the conclusion that I would use a broken glass. This would symbolise the girls broken heart, along with the idea that her life has fallen apart. In my music video, I have anchored this shot of the broken glass with a blackout just before it. I believe this really puts emphasis on the broken piece of glass and the blackout reflects the dark side of the relationship, reinforcing this depressing and forlorn mood of parts of the music video.



Secondly, I have also included a candle. The candle symbolises the girls and the boys relationship. When the candle is lit, is reflects that their relationship is still continuing. However, it also highlights that their relationship is dying out (as reinforced by the burning candle suggesting the fact that it will soon come to an end). There are certain aspects of the music video that include the candle at random points. This acts as a reminder to the audience that time is slowly running out.

 Moreover, I decided in the beginning of the planning stage, that it would be a good idea to use black and white. This black and white effect only intervenes when anchored with the shots of the past. For example, as soon as the establishing shots of Central London are shown, the black and white effect is shown, reflecting that we have gone back in time. I also believe that the lack of colours intensifies the sense of sadness in the flashbacks.



Motifs - A motif is referred to as a subject, theme, etc that is recurring. In this case, the motif in the music video is the candle and the photographs. Both of these things are included a few times in the music video to act as a reminder. For example, as stated above, the candle is repetitively brought up in the music video to remind the audience that time is running out, building a sense of anticipation and suspense. Similarly, the photographs are also brought up in the music video a number of times to reflect that the girl is stuck in a limbo. She is still considering whether to leave or whether to stay. It also reinforces the sense of happiness which the couple once shared, also fortifying the sense of sadness.

Cross dissolves - Cross dissolves are used a number of times in my music video. At first, I thought that there was too much use of the cross dissolves, making the music video less visually appealing. However, I have cut down a number of them which are irrelevant and do not create a effect for the music video. The cross dissolves are used  in the beginning sequence of the music video, to add a nice flow to the music video rather than shots just appearing and disappearing abruptly. I have also included cross dissolves in the section where the protagonist is looking at the picture frame considering reasons why she should leave or stay. I used this effect to establish to the audience that she is going into a thought and flashback of her past, and she is coming to a decision. I believe if I did not include such as thing there would be no distinction between this section and the rest of the music video to signify that there has been a shift in time.


Opacity - In the beginning sequence of the music video, I changed the opacity levels for two images to look overlapping, but still be visible at the same time. I think this  a beautiful effect, and the reason why I included it is due to the fact that it really helps signify that as soon as the girl sees the photograph lying in between the pages, it would instantly help draw her back to her past.

The beginning sequence - Although this idea did not spring to me in the planning stage of the project, I did spend a lot of time afterwards thinking whether I should include it or not. After a while of thinking, and asking those around me, I came to the conclusion that it would be a really nice thing to establish what the music video is about. I believe that this would really emphasize the growth that the girl has made, through the fertility surrounding the girl on the balcony. I also thought that the balcony would really help enhance the idea that she is no longer down, but is rather high, which is emphasized through the use of the low-angle shot looking uo at the balcony. This highlights her status, and power at this point of the music video. Furthermore, rather than using the black and white effect, I decided that I would leave these shots with their initial colour, as the shots look extremely visually appealing. There were a number of colours consisting from green to pink, and hiding these colours with the black and white effect would not be a wise idea, and a good way in reflecting the changes in time.
                                                                        

I also took the lighting into consideration. The lighting varies in different areas. For example, the point where the girl is near the door, the lighting is very dark. This reflects that as she gets closer to the boy (on the other side of the door), her life gets darker. In contrast, when she is on the other side it is a lot brighter.