Research: Similar product research 11- James Bay 'let it go'

The establishing shot displays a numerous amount of props. The cigarettes show someone perhaps plagued by addiction who is possibly using it as a vice in order to escape emotional turmoil. As the video and song lyrics progress we discover that the male protagonist is singing about a  tumulutous relationship. Because they are creating a mess on the table top and have not been cleared away, we can suggest that this is symbolic of his current emotional state as he is unable to focus on anything else but his troubled relationship.  The dying plant and peeled away wallpaper symbolise the decaying of a once fruitful relationship. I really like this use of Mis-en-scene as it introduces the sombre mood of the song and video immediately.



The low key lighting of this shot further connotes the depressed mood of the singer. The camera slowly tracks forward while the singer remains almost motionless. There is something very unconventional about this movement of the camera because as a viewer it made me very aware of the use of the cinematographer.







As the camera continues to track towards the singer they appear to be walking to the right which looks as though the person is hiding. This further implies that someone may be watching the singer. The use of just one shot to film this tracking from the establishing shot and eventually to the singer makes the video feel very real because it doesn't appear edited or manipulated. Therefore we connect emotionally to the singer.

 The camera continues to track forwards until the singers face is shown in a medium close up. We know that the the room is cold as we can see the singers breath condensing. Again, this makes the video appear very realistic. The low key lighting creates shadows on the singers face which is symbolic of his low mood. He then begins  singing 'i was sleeping near the edge'. This lyric represents a change in the relationship as before the lyrics were reminiscent of a happier period in their relationship.

At 0.57 seconds into the video there has still only been one shot used. The camera slowly pans to follow the movement of the singers head as he turns it slightly to the right. I believe that this connotes that everyone of the singers emotions have been documented in this song as we are able to follow his actions very closely as well as his thoughts. The singer wears all black and is therefore represented as being in a depressive mood.  Dyer suggests that a 'star image' is always created and in this case a very mysterious and clearly emotionally damaged man is presented to us.

When there is eventually a cut it is disguised as the camera pans down to the singers black leather jacket and then upwards again, from the same place. The setting is the same although it is an earlier time of day so we are aware that time has passed. This shot captures James Bay's signature hat which he very frequently wears which helps him to create a 'star image' and make jim recognisable.





As the lyric 'slamming doors' is sung, a new prop is introduced to the Mis-en-scene in the form of fire. This is an example of Goodwin's theory that there is always a relationship between the song and visuals as the fire is symbolic of rage and violence being suddenly introduced into their relationship as it was the video.






The audience can actually see the singer thinking here, as he looks down appearing in deep thought contemplating the relationship.

As he begins to sing though he looks up again. The lyrics are 'if this is all we living for' which is not sung into camera so we assume this is an internal thought. As he begins to sing 'why are we doing it, doing it, doing it anymore' it is implied that he has had a moment of realisation.

Once more, the second cut in the music video us disguised by panning to his jacket and then up again. The lyrics also link to the visuals as James bay sings 'how refections change' to his literal reflection which implies he is re evaluating himself and his relationship.

 The Mis- en scene appears to have slightly changed here and the audience is reminded that a lot of time has passed which shows his lengthy contemplation.

 There is then a cut to an arc shot which is symbolic of his thinking. The ASL has very noticeably decreased now and I think this is because his contemplation is over and he has finally decided to escape the destructive relationship.

The spreading fire is once more used as a symbol of an out of control relationship which he is trying to escape.

Over cranking is used for dramatic effect and to emphasise his difficult decision to 'let it slide' as he refers to ending the relationship through the lyrics.

At the end of the song it is ambiguous as to whether the two have reconciled or whether they have ended their relationship. Both could be symbolised through the driving away from the fire as they have left their troubled past behind them. James bay sings 'let the ashes fall'. Ashes usually symbolise death and destruction which could suggest the end of a relationship.




This video breaks conventions as there are only 22 shots throughout the entirety of this music video. The ASL decreases as more action is filmed.

How this post has influenced my planning: 

• Showed me how to make singing into camera very interesting with different camera movements especially panning and tracking. 
• Use under cranking which will be added in editing (post-production)
• Use symbolism (Barthes) to create meaning (e.g. the fire in James Bay 'let it go'. 
• Sing into camera for important lyrics that you want to emphasise as being current thought of the on screen characters. 
• We will lower the light intensity levels on FinalCutProX in post-production.