3 Professionally Produced Music Videos (Labrinth- Jealous)

A bit about Labrinth- He is a British singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist. He plays instruments such as the Bass Guitar, Piano, Keyboard, Drums and Guitar (Acoustic). Labrinth made his debut appearance on the UK Singles Chart in March 2010. He was mainly collaboration with the London rapper, Tinie Tempah. The song “Pass Out” reached number one. Labrinth then went on to release his debut album in 2012 and two songs on the album, respectively peaked at number two and four. He then achieved his first number one single which features the singer Emeli Sande, which was called “Beneath Your Beautiful”.

The Song that I am looking at is the song by Labrinth called Jealous. The single was released on the 23^rd November 2014 but the music video debuted on the 31^st October 2014. Labrinth was the producer and also wrote the song alongside Josh Kear and Natalie Hemby.

Synopsis of Video ‘Jealous’- The song seems to be in the style of a ‘heart-breaking’ Ballard, which expression loads of emotions. This song mainly focuses on the artists’ loss of someone close to them. However, how the song it put out, if you were to use this song (singing it or dedicating it for a special night) it can then be used in your own perspective. Overall, the end message that Labrinth wants to achieve is that he is jealous of what he is missing out on, whether it is his family member, a close friend or a partner of his. Looking at the line “But I always thought you’d come back, tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery”, Labrinth believed it would be only a matter of time before the person came back, running to them but Labrinth comes to terms that the person is happy where they are, hence Labrinth feeling Jealous.

Conceptual, Narrative or Performance? – Narrative

Camera Angles-

·         Mid Shot

·         Over the Shoulder Shot

·         Low Angle Shot

·         XCU

At the beginning, there isn’t much of an establishing shot, so we cannot tell where the artist is until we progress through the song. There is over the shoulder shots, which allow us to focus on the facial expressions, such as Eyes and Lips. We focus on the way that the words come out, which could express his emotions further. Also, emotions can be read through eye movement. Throughout the video, there is mainly Mid shots, which allow the viewer to see what the artist is wearing from waist up. Furthermore, there is a low angle shot in the video. It connotes strength, but we know how the artist is feeling through facial expressions. In this case, the low angle represents the fact that the artist is in hurt and agony but is getting through this tough pain.

Editing Techniques- As this is a very soft centred song, with a clear but touching message, there wouldn’t be a load of massive special effects. However, if we look at the basic editing techniques the video contains, we can pick out the Fade from the Black to a Mid-shot, which could suggest that Labrinth could have found himself now that he is through all of the heartbreak and loss. The black makes it seem as if he is isolated in himself and the start of the video allows Labrinths’ thoughts to come alight. Also, as we come to the end of the video, there are a few sights of Pulling Focus, which show the important figure clearly. It could denote that although he thinks of the persons’ feelings, he still believes that he has lost more. The lyrics direct back to the second person, talking about himself (“Tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery”), which could suggest that he still thought that the person who has left would actually come back for his sake.

Mise En Scene- The location seems to be set in a theatre-like room, by himself, which connotes isolation between him, the world and the person he truly and dearly misses. As Labrinth is expressing his feelings, he looks smart, dress wise. Not overdoing it in a suit but something professional and classy, like a sweater. It is bright so that the audience are aware of the only person in the room. It could also connote lyrics in the song “I’m jealous of the way you’re happy without me”, as the colour yellow would usually connote something positive or joyful.

Selected Themes and Motifs of the Song-

·         Jealousy

·         Heartbreak

·         Love

·         Loss

Lip Syncing- Lip syncing is used in the video. Roughly throughout the video, there is lip syncing as the audience can look at the way Labrinth will lip sync, which could define his emotions further.

Ideas that may come from this video to my music video-

·         Quiet Location, one that will stand out from the rest of the different locations chosen for my video. Either all will be dark & one will be light or vice-versa.

·         Lip Syncing will be used as well, as I feel that it is another superb way of gaining your audience’s attention. They focus on the words coming from your mouth and read the emotions.

·     Sophisticated Clothes for Mise En Scene, which could suggest that I am determined to put in effort to win the special person back for me. However, this piece of clothing will have to stand out, so that I am the main attraction and people can understand my emotions, not just through lyrics but emotion physically.