Research 7 : Sam Smith - "Too Good At Goodbyes" (w/ annotated lyrics)

The dominating theme of this video is broken reationships.  There are many different actors in the music video, who play both lesbian, gay and straight couples. There are a lot of different locations shown in different lighting. (Natural, Half-light, side lighting, low key lighting) Lighting in this video connotates the concepts and narrative aspects of the video.  The video follows Goodwin's theory in that it is performance based with close ups of Sam Smith singing into camera, the visuals closely match the lyrics and the cuts are on the beat.  

The music video begins with an establishing shot of Sam wearing a white shirt, this conntes inocence and purity. The lighting is from the side and is low key.  A close up shows him looking down at the floor. It is clear he is emotional and down.
(The theme of white, relating to innocence is explored in a seperate post.)

A shot of the floor follows up from the close up of the artist, showing the studio cables and the voice over directing him making the video self-aware. The dark lighting sets the mood for the music video.

As the song starts with an extreme longshot,  tracking  backwards through a field of flowers.  Diagetic sound is children shouting and police sirens (this is also repeated at the very end)  I think this represents Sam's childhood. Small, white text is centre frame, stating the songs name "Too Good at Goodbyes”

A medium close up shows Sam Smith singing into the camera. This is a powerful shot as he is centre frame and in white clothing which contrasts against the dark background. The white clothing signifies innocence. 

In this shot, costume and location link very well, as he is wearing a green jumper and sat in a natural sun lit park. Sam Smith is sat looking forward, a medium close up pan moves around him. The framing of this shot is very well done, he is sat in the shadow with sunlight behind him, I see this  as a  link to the narrative by him being in a mentally dark place.  

A shot of an abandoned building links with the social aspects hinted at throughout the song, such as; deprived, broken down areas of society.  The mise-en-scene shows white arrows pointing to a memorial with flowers, creating a strong focal point. The colour of the flowers links to graffiti above.  The camera tracks back to reveal a red graffiti heart showing the memorial is about love and not death.

Following is a wide angle shot of a Lesbian couple sat centre frame. This shot is making a social comment about same sex love, showing that it is still hard even though you’re not a heterosexual couple.
Linking to the narrative of the video. The couple are wearing costumes that contrast against the dark background, very much like the first shot of the artist singing into the camera.

A montage of both gay and straight couples are shown through long shots, medium shots and are stood centre frame, as the chorus is played. This heavily links with the narrative and concept of the video. Behind each couple is a different location. For the straight couple they are seen sat on a urban city rooftop. The lesbian couple are seen sat on a rocky beach, looking at each other. In the gay couples shot, they are in a room, hugging each other. The artist being one of the gay couple creates a link with his personal life.

As the lyrics say "everytime you hurt me the less that I cry" the shot cuts to a coloured man crying in a boxing ring. Making a social comment about the difficulties of love and race.

The shot cuts from the boxer to a dark natural light medium shot of a the back of a teenager looking across the sea.








Then cutting to a shot with a chilld running through a field with a dog. This montage of shots develps the concept aspect of life getting harder as you grow up.

A picture of an elderly grandparent is seen as the focal point of this shot. The shot then pans back, showing a family upset. This links the lyrics to the music video as the woman in the photo died and they are saying goodbye.

A extreme long shot of children playing in their school uniform helps follow the concept of life being easy as a child.

This medium close up is very effective as it shows dark lighting but also links well through synergy as the lighing is the same colour as the gabling machine prop in the background.

A shot of a woman with her back to a man is very effective as it shows heartbreak and lifes struggles. This shot symblises the narrative and concept of the song.

This research has helped my understanding when annotating and analysng lyrics to match with the visuals.

How This Research has Influenced my Planning and Creativity

1. Lighting - I like the way the props lighting effects the lghting for the entire shot.

                   - I now understand that dull natural lighting creates a mood/atmosphere for the entirety of  the music video.

2. I like how emotions are shown in different ways. For example, Back turned, Crying, Dark clothing, lighting.

3. I now know I need to use specific lighting to create a certain mood throughout the video.