Main inspirational video

This video was our initial inspiration from a previous project, we instantly commented on how we liked the quick cuts and gritty filming which comes across as memories and very personal. Lana Del Rey's video combines gritty memory footage with clear cut close up shots of her neatly done hair and make up to contrast and it works brilliantly, the addition of cuts to shots of roses and objects with subtle meanings combines to create, in my opinion, really effective video. We have taken a lot of inspiration from this video in particular the shots of Lana with friends and having fun in what looks like summer, although we are not introduced to the other people we do not need to for the narrative is almost self telling, it is obvious that Lana is the main character as she is introduced instantly and the focus throughout is her as her personality and the message of the song is revealed through the construction of shots.

The video comes across as a montage of memories and this makes the video more of a story without a strong and clear narrative. The juxtaposition of blurred gritty footage with clean cut performance shots combined with random obscure props and footage involving other characters create the overall story. The long, wide, close up and medium shots appear in no particular order which adds to the unprofessional yet well thought out video. The variation of shot keeps the audience interested and trying to fit each shot together and make a link.

The mise en scene and props also convey narrative whilst also representing the artist. The performance shots show Lana looking beautiful with dark make up around her eyes making them the focal point of all close up and performance shots, her lips are exaggerated with lipstick making sure her face is the focal point of all performance shots. The representation of the artist herself makes the video an artpiece as it represents the artist to the audience whilst also giving a music video with a narrative. The facial expressions of the artist are more identifiable with a blank background for the shots and constant eye contact meaning the audience are focused solely on her face. Her hair is natural and draws little attention away from the face but ties in with the 1950's edge of the video.

The overall video is personal to the artist and this gives a link between audience and artist as it seems like we have an insight into her private life and identity. The video combines the natural with the manufactured as we see Lana with friends acting in their natural environment riding bikes, flowers and random objects combined with cartoon and camera footage of celebrity premieres which gives a contrast and a possibly link between Lana Del Rey's opinion on her life and how it has changed. We would not be looking to do this as we are introducing our artist and creating a brand identity but we may choose to stick with the natural theme instead using this throughout.

The importance of editing is particularly stressed in this video as the quick cuts and juttery footage with varying effects and rectangular to square shots give the video the edge and feel it has. We have acquired various skills with past editing and hope to bring these skills to use recreating some techniques from this video. I particularly like how the shots seem to be randomly thrown together but edited precisely, they obviously have an underlying routine and pattern but this is not directly obvious to the audience making the narrative more believable. The narrative would not be believable if it wasnt due to the editing and creating of a gritty and random memory recollection.