Music Video Deconstruction- Stay by Zedd and Alessia Cara

Within the opening mid-shot of

the artist of the song, the
connotations of fate and death
as key themes of the song as
well as the music video are
presented. Not only does the
mid-shot allow the audience to
empathise with the artist by
putting emphasis on his facial
expression, but it also
highlights the overall message
of the video through the use of
the bed covers. Interestingly,
the short-take shot begins with
the artist holding the covers
over his head which not only
depicts the idea of waking up,
but it also links to the idea of
death since sheets over the
face connote a lack of identity and are similar to body bags. Evidently, this references the
end of the video when the character dies which not only emphasises the inevitability of his
fate but also the control he has over it as depicted by his hands holding the sheets. This
could suggest a link to destiny and the way that his actions lead to his death; the fact that his
hands move the sheet away from his head could imply his sense of power over his
individuality as well as emphasising that his actions can prevent his death. The fact that this
is a short-take shot within itself could even link to the speed at which life can be taken away
or the small decisions we make and how they contribute to our future. Moreover, the shot
creates synchronous sound by fitting into the slow-paced beat of the music which not only
puts emphasis on the music so that the audience are more likely to focus on that element,
but it also shows that the meaning of the song links into the message of the video.
Synchronous sound also eases the audience into a sense of reality by making it less
abstract and more natural which could link to the way in which the message of this film
applies to real life and the audience themselves. Notably, this mid-shot is also a loose frame
shot which could connote loneliness or vulnerability from the singer by suggesting his
ambition for love that is also portrayed within the video. As shown in the video, his fate of
death also has a strong link to his pursue of love as conveyed through the storyline,
therefore, the symbolism of the loose frame emphasises his choice between love and death.
As well as this, the fact that the artist embodies a character within the narrative of this video
also conveys how the artist feels connected to the events of the story and makes him seem
more involved within his music; this also helps the audience to build an association with the
artist and his music in order to ensure further recognition from his audience. This may make
the artist more appealing to his target audience who will mostly consist of his fans as well as
teenagers or young adults that may relate to the issues of heartbreak within the song.
 As well as the
artist, the singer
also embodies a
character within
the narrative to
also enforce her
link to her music
as well as her
connection with
the themes or events that occur in the video. Furthermore, by having the singer lip sync to
the lyrics, it also creates a deeper connection for the singer to the lyrics of the music by
suggesting that she relates to the themes of loss and loneliness conveyed in the song as
well as ensuring she gains recognition from the audience. This mid-shot presents a change
in the depth of field that creates a blurred set of bars in the foreground with the central focus
on the singer. This in itself has a variation of connotations as the bars connote a sense of
being trapped in her situation or being repressed by society yet, they could also embody the
idea of poverty and misfortune which create a sense of sympathy for the audience. The fact
that the bars are blurred, however, could emphasise the characters ignorance of her
limitations or it may potentially connote that she is unaware of them. Like the character
portrayed before, this could link back to the idea of fate and the way that our actions control
our future as bars are also linked to the idea of prison which may link to the way her actions
lead to the artists death and put her in a position of guilt as the fate the other character
suffers only occurs when she moves from her room. Moreover, the idea of poverty is also
connoted through the low-key lighting which creates a sense of melancholy to the music as
well as potentially highlighting the monotony of her life and potentially her discontent with it.
This is reflected in the first mid-shot of the other character which shows a sense of similarity
between the characters and the way that their fate is connected. Likewise, a loose frame is
used within this shot as a way of emphasising her isolation and loneliness potentially to
relate to the themes of the song as well as to make the singer seem more relatable to her
audience. The use of hand-held camera within this segment not only creates a sense of
realism in order to emphasise the common elements of this issue, but it also connotes
instability within her life or potentially her the instability of her future.

As well as the use of

symbolism within the
mise-en-scene, the reverse
editing technique is used in
order to emphasise the
themes of destiny as well as
the message that our choices
control our destiny. As shown
within the mid-shot of the artist, he is shown as hitting the ball which in itself could embody
how he has a sense of control
over his fate through the
choices he makes. Notably, the
use of a crane shot of the balls
also emphasises a lack of
control over the events that
occur by belittling the situation
through presenting it at a high
angle; this could connote the
powerlessness people face over
their future after making their
decision and taking an action.
Therefore, the use of the reverse
editing technique establishes the
beginning of the day again and
the change in his fate if his
actions were reversed. Not only
this, but the reverse editing also
puts an emphasis on the beat of
the music by displaying similar
images on the screen so that the
audience can focus on the beat of the music rather than the visuals. This would, therefore,
help appeal to the audience since they are likely to be music lovers who would appeal to the
enhancement of the music since they are likely to enjoy the pop genre of music as well as
electronica; it also shows the stylised element of the music through highlighting the
electronica that many of Zedds
fans would appeal to since he is a
DJ. Moreover, the editing pace
increases within this section which
not only makes the increased
tempo of the music seem more
exciting for the audience, but it also
creates a sense of disorientation
for the audience by including
images at a faster pace that have
meanings to the story. For instance, a short-take mid-shot of the artist breaking a mirror is
incorporated which, while being unrelated to the overall narrative, has connotations that link
to the idea of superstition. Usually a mirror breaking means bad luck for seven years which
could be used to imply a bad outcome for the character within the story; it also suggests that
fate is predetermined. Also, the close-up of the button for the lift being pressed that
inevitably controls the fate of his death is displayed 7 times before he finally enters the lift
which could reflect the negative repercussions of his choice. By creating a sense of
disorientation for the audience, it not only enhances their focus on the music since it is in
time with the editing speed, but it also creates a mystical atmosphere in order to make the
audience want to see what occurs next in the narrative so that they watch the rest of the
video.

Overall, one of the key strengths of this video was its relationship with the music that allowed
it to engage its target audience of mostly young adult music lovers who are interested in pop
and electronica. This is apparent through its incorporation of lip syncing from the singer that
created a connection between her and the emotions within her music as well as ensuring
she gains recognition from the audience. Furthermore, the change in editing pace to match
the tempo of the song allowed the audiences focus to be on the music and it made the beat
of the music more thrilling for them. This is an essential convention for a music video to have
as the main aim of a music video is to advertise the music so by having the video match the
style of the music, it ensures that a music video is fulfilling its purpose. Moreover, another
strength of this music video was its use of symbolism to link to the themes within the song as
well as to create its own message. Its incorporation of props such as the bedcovers that
covered the artists head at the start and end of the video, for example, linked to the overall
theme of fate and its inevitability yet also the ability we have to change it as shown through
the way he moves it away with his hands. Moreover, the bedcovers also link to death since
they resemble the bodybag he gets carried in at the end which also links to the idea of the
cycle of life and the way in which our choices are a large part of this element. Therefore, the
overall message seems to be that every action makes a difference to your future in
unexpected ways which links to the lyrics of stay by emphasising that even the loss of love
can lead to a better life than if it carried on. So the symbolism made the video engaging and
meaningful as well as highlighting the theme of loss that i present within the song.

On the other hand, some of its weaknesses are revolved around the way in which it uses
consistent repetition of the same images that takes away the power of the narrative as well
as becoming repetitive and less exciting to watch which may make the video less engaging
for their intended audience. Furthermore, the darker themes of the video such as death also
do not link to the typical genre conventions of a pop genre music video as it takes away the
uplifting beat and creates a negative connotation of the song by linking it with such a
negative theme.

Evidently, one of the main conventions of a music video is the use of the increase in editing
pace in order to exaggerate the pace and beat of the music to ensure that the audience are
focusing on this element. This is significant in order for the music video to have achieved its
purpose of promoting the song as well as to attract the audience. Therefore, I may
incorporate this in my own music video to ensure I enhance the beat and tempo of my music
in order to create a sense of thrill for the audience and to make sure the focus of my video is
on the song itself.

As well as editing speed, another convention of a music video that was present in this video
was the use of editing effects, such as reverse editing, which made the video intriguing as
well as putting emphasis on the effect that choices have on your fate by beginning the day
again. This editing effect also put more emphasis on the electronic element of the music
which many of Zedds fans would appeal to since they would prefer this genre of music,
therefore, is I was to select music with a electric beat, then these types of editing effects
would suit the genre conventions effectively.

Also, the idea of fitting a narrative along with shots in which we see the artist lip syncing is
also an effective convention of a music video that I would incorporate within my own music
video. This is most likely the best method in which a music video is constructed as it allows
the self-promotion of the artist in relation to their connection with their music along with a
narrative that is more likely to retain the audiences attention so that they listen to the whole
song as well as emphasise the key themes and messages within the song itself. Moreover, it
also makes the music more memorable by creating an association with the storyline of the
music video as well as the key message of the video. For instance, from watching the video,
I as an audience member now links the song to the themes of loss and fate as well as the
narrative which allows an artist to dominate the audiences thoughts of the video. A music
video with a good narrative will, therefore, help to boost the reputation of the song which is
one of the central reasons I would like to apply this convention to my own music video.