Music Video Analysis - Adele 'Send My Love'

To gain a better understanding of music videos I am analysing a number of music videos from the genres of hip-hop/rap and pop. These genres are what I am considering making my music video for. By analysing these music videos I hope to gain some ideas for what I can include in my own music video and what makes a successful music video. Also I am hoping to find out what I think isn't successful in a music video so I can adapt or avoid these in my own ancillary text. 

 I have chosen to analyse Adele's music video for her single 'Send My Love (To Your New Lover)'. This music video is different to any other music video's that Adele has produced or distributed. Also, I really like the simple nature of the music video as it is just Adele in the video; however, this is extremely effective as it is different to any other music videos released into the pop genre. 

This music video is a performance only video with Adele stood preforming and dancing to her own song. 

Camera:

This music video alternates between a range of shot types. The first shot is a long shot of Adele, allowing the audience to view her elegant gown. This then changes with a slow zoom into a mid-shot, a shot often used in this music video. This mid-shot then becomes a close up before a reverse zoom takes the image back to a mid-shot of the artist. This is then repeated into a long shot of Adele. The camera then zooms back into a mid-shot, before cutting to a new angle of Adele, a profile shot. A reverse zoom is then used to go back into a long shot before cutting back into a mid-shot. The audience is then given the longest close up, where Adele delivers heartfelt lines. a reverse zoom brings a long shot of Adele on screen before ending with a mid shot.

There are lots of similar shots used in this video to allow her audience to see all parts of her costume and makeup while she delivers the lyrics to the camera. Throughout the majority of this video, direct eye contact is made with the camera making a connection with the viewer. Although the shots are rather simple and nontechnical the positioning of them during the editing have made them match the pace of the music at times and made them much more dynamic and interesting.

Editing:

The editing changes pace to match with the pace of the music. When the tempo of the music builds so does the speed of editing, also between 2:28 and 2:50 the pace of editing slows down greatly as does the song. Also, the complexity of the music dips at this point and so does the editing. Creating a relationship between visuals and music. 

Throughout this music video there is a build up of overlays of images. The front image of Adele is the most in focus and closest to the camera and as the shots get further away they're less focused and less zoomed in. This build of shots make the video much more interesting to the audience rather than just having Adele stood delivering the lines to the camera, which in reality is what she is in fact doing!

Mise-en-scene:

Adele is styled in a floor length floral gown, giving her a feminine and sophisticated look. Her makeup is rather natural but she has her signature winged eye liner and shimmery eye shadow on. Her hair is in a messy up-do, also adding to the elegance of her styling. To match her feminine appeal Adele has long acrylic nails on which is typical of pop artists as they are always expected to look their best and groomed. However, Adele is wearing no jewellery, suggesting that she is being raw and not flaunting her wealth.

The whole of the music video is focused on Adele. She is always in the centre of the shot surrounding by a black background with a spot light on her, creating, in the words of Goodwin, a star image for her audience.  

Body language is used in this video to express the emotions of the song. She is stood with her hands on her hips and has a sarcastic face expression at the start of the song. All the way through she uses her hands to emphasis words and express her sassiness.  

There is a relationship between visuals and lyrics shown in this music video. The words 'gotta let go' are accompanied by the following action.



Sound:
There are only a few moments that I have previously mentioned that links the lyrics and visuals. However, other than that the lyrics do not match the visuals. Although there is a link between the visuals and music. The music has a strong instrumental beat that develops throughout the song. This is typical of a pop song.