A-Level Media Studies
Sia- Elastic Heart
This Music video tells a story using contemporary dance, the story is about heartbreak between what seems to be a father and daughter. The dancers use strong visual emotions to portray their feelings which have a large affect on the audience.
Camera Work:
The first shot we see is a establishing shot of the two characters in a cage, the shot is also filmed handheld. This gives the audience a feeling of uncertainty and confusion. The establishing shot sets the scene and allows the audience to see the distance between the two characters already portraying feelings on conflict and aggression. Throughout the entire video there are mixtures of mid shots and long shots, the mid shots are used more frequently about half way through the video. The long shots are used to portray feelings of distance and conflict between the two characters, these shots allow the audience to understand the narrative in this video. The mid shots develop as the relationship develops between the two characters, mid shots allow us to see the emotions of the characters and are more intimate that the long shot resulting in the audience forming a relationship with the characters. Throughout the video some high angle shots are used, these are used to show the vulnerability of the situation and the characters.
Mise En Scene:
For the setting in this video, all that was used was a large room with a large cage in it. The cage is used as an metaphor for the relationship between the two characters, it shows there incapability to deal with situations and the struggle to get out of the situation they are in. The cage is coloured black, the use of this colour shows pain and struggle which is mimicking the emotions of the characters.
The costumes worn but both of the characters a muted brown leotards, this is done to diminish the characters personality and to allow the audience to focus purely on the narrative aspect of the music video. The characters are also covered in dirt, this is done to demonstrate the hardwork that the characters are facing to form a relationship and how worn down the characters are themselves. Non verbal communication is used throughout the entire music video, we see the characters portray their emotions through exaggerated facial expressions and body language/movements. The characters act like animals in the video, so non verbal communication is used strongly to portray feelings of aggression and confusion.
Editing:
The editing in this video is minimalistic, this is because the producers want the main focus to be on the conflict between the two characters. Continuity editing is used to allow th audience to mainly focus on the narrative compared to extravagant editing techniques. On occasion slow motion is used, this is typically on the female character to portray her aggressive emotions. The use of slow motion allows the audience to empathise for the character and fully understand her emotions. Shot reverse shot is used towards the end of the music video, this shows the male character on the inside of the cage and the female on the outside. The use of this editing technique shows the characters new found relationship and allows the audience to see and understand the characters emotions.
Soundtrack:
The lyrics in this track talk about someone trying to win someone back, but the other person is resistant and has 'thick skin'. The music video is synchronous with the track because it mimics the hardship of a relationship and someones reluctancy to accept someone back into their lives. Due to the track being a song, there is a continuous use of non-diegetic sound this means that we don't hear any added sounds that would fit in with the actions the characters are doing. This allows the audience to concentrate more on the lyrics within the track without added distractions. At the chorus when the song crescendos the dancing and movement from the characters get bolder and at times more physical, this is synchronous with the track which makes the audience more comfortable.
Theory:
This music video supports Neal's theory that repetition and difference is essential in genres. Sia music videos typically stick with this idea where she's conventional and unconventional at the same time. Her music videos always contain some type of contemporary dance which is seen as unconventional or 'different' of her pop/indie genre. Due to this difference she is successful in her field and her music videos are widely admired.