Camera Movement Analysis

To help me see what camera movements are typically used within the indie genre, I decide to analyse the camera movements in The Lumineers ‘Hey Ho’. This will help me understand what camera movements I can feature in my own music video.

In the establishing shot, the camera is show to track from left to right across a wall showing fairy lights on a wall. When the camera pans to the right at the end or the corridor, it shows a male character in the centre of the frame. The fact the camera tracks from left to right can represent a progression as the camera moves in the right direction. This is confirmed by the lyrics ‘I’ve been trying to do it right’ suggesting that ‘trying’ has been successful. This conforms to Goodwin’s theory that the lyrics have a relationship with the visuals and also foreshadows that the music video will be showing a positive progression, possibly conforming to Todorov’s narrative theory of order disorder, order. The fact the doors shown on either side of the symmetric frame are closed, can represent the beginning of the character’s journey as all doors are closed, having a symbolic meaning of there being no hope or opportunities (disorder).

This however, is juxtaposed as the camera begins to track the character walking away from the ‘dead end’ corridor and it stops as the camera walks past an open door. Within the room the audience can see a window showing high key lighting to represent hope and opportunities. However, the prop of fairy lights are hung across the doorway and there is a prop across the window, creating a physically barrier between the character and the hope/opportunities. This continues to show progression but connotes to the audience that the character is still on a journey to reach his hope/dreams.

As the camera cuts to a low angle hand held shot, the low key lighting is contradicted by bright flashing lights. This can represent the character looking at his goals brightening. The fact the camera has also moved closer to the lights, shows that the character is closer to reaching his goals. When the camera cuts again, two more characters are introduced which can represent the support he has as they are positioned on the right and left of him, showing he is surrounded by support. Also, the characters are walking towards the camera as it tracks backwards, this can show the character is catching up to his destination; what he aims for.

How can this help me?
Overall, the camera movements in this music video are used as symbolic meaning of a progression. This conforms to Goodwin’s theory that the visuals have a relationship with the lyrics and visuals as the lyrics are about two characters coming together. This has helped me as I know that when I plan/storyboard my music video, I will have to ensure the camera movements symbolise what is going on within the narrative/lyrics. I could also challenge the way the movements have been used in this video if the song I chose is about regression by tracking the character moving away from the positive symbolic codes.