Lithium Music Video Analysis

-Evanescence

Basic structure:

-All shots are taken within a winter forest setting, excluding the few shots of the lead singer underwater.-The music video is focused mainly around the female lead singer, but does include shots of other band members playing to the song. -The compilation doesn’t show any storyline linked to the lyrics of the song.-The song itself is a slow paced but powerful and dramatic in some parts.-There seems to be a colour scheme of blue, black and white throughout; adding to the cold surroundings.

Portrayal of Lead singer:The costume and makeup choice for the lead singer is of a gothic style, complimenting the genre and dark winter theme. She is presented as very desirable in this music video, especially in shots where she is laying down and as she keeps eye contact with the camera lens, almost interacting with the audience. Within every shot including her, she is constantly miming to the lyrics of the song.

Music video opens on an extreme long shot of the lead singer. She is in the centre and the main focus of the video. She has trees on either side and above, framing her and making her stand out most in the shot.

Here we get a Birdseye view shot of the singer playing the piano. We also get a better view of the setting she is in.

Her close up is not in centre frame, but the camera is focused on her face only, creating a blurred background to make her stand out.We later get a similar shot but on the opposite side and further away, as well as fully focused – starting to reveal more of the scene.

In this shot the background seems to be moving, but she is not – again separating her from the setting, along with the same affect of the trees framing her image.

Throughout the music video, quick shots are added to show the scenery of the forest setting.

Medium shots introduce the other members of the band as the music picks up and snow starts to fall. The camera is also hand held and shaky at these points to make those scenes more edgy and match the feel of the music.

Later, extreme close ups of the band members are added to show them playing to the song.

At the start there is a reflection shot from the piano, then later we get a similar reflection shot from the water. This shot is then repeated right at the end of the music video.

The only other change of scenery is when the lead singer is under water. Here she seems graceful as she floats in the water and it soon changes from darkness to light coming from the surface. Even underwater, the singer doesn’t stop miming the lyrics.

In long shot, the camera pans as she walks as if we are following her every move. This is the first time we see the singer travel somewhere new instead if being fixed in one place.

It cuts back to an extreme long shot of the singer standing on the edge of the water before she goes in. The camera slowly watches her sink to below the surface.

Editing

-Quick shots are used to introduce the other band members briefly at first (e.g. a quick shot of the guitarists hair in time with the music).-Blurred transactions before the next shot.-Slow motion shots of band members playing to the song.-Unclear shots where the camera focuses on the falling snow infront.-An earlier shot is repeated at the end of the music video (the lead singer staring into the water).