Lip Sync Analysis

Throughout my music video, I plan to incorporate both live performance and a narrative performance, of which I will intercut into each other. As I want to include a live performance and I plan to use the cover or Lorde’s song as the audio, the actress/actor I decide to use will have to lip sync to the song. Therefore, I decided to analyse lip syncing in Lorde’s existing music videos.




Throughout Lorde’s ‘Green Light’, the live performance and narrative performance is intercut throughout. In the live performance, Lorde is shown, through close ups, to be singing directly into the camera. However, because the audio was added in post-production, lip syncing must have been utilised during the filming stage. Lorde appears to be singing the song diegetically as the lip syncing is accurate. To make it appear that she is singing diegetically, the lip syncing is in perfect time to the audio. Also, the fact she is ‘singing’ directly into the camera can distract the audience’s attention from her mouth as the intense glare at the camera deviates their attention to her eyes. The fact Lorde’s head doesn’t stay still and she instead looks around can also help to disguise any slight mistakes made within the lip syncing as the movement detracts from that.

How will this help me?
I now know that when filming my own live performance, to create a successful lip sync, the actor/actress I feature will have to learn the lyrics effectively in order for the lip-sync to be accurate. Also, to help me disguise any potential slight mistakes, I should ensure there is movement within the frame or another key feature which can deviate the audience focus. I could also ensure I record many takes of the song so I can select the most accurate clip and use that one. Or I could ensure I film different verses or choruses in different takes so the actor/actress can focus on a smaller part of the lyrics so there is a higher chance the lip syncing of every verse/chorus will be accurate.