Jessie J Video Deconstruction

Jessie J- Who You Are        Signed to Island Universal Records        Genre: Pop

SHOT: Medium Wide

LYRICS: ‘I stare at my reflection in the mirror, why am I doing this to myself?’

EDIT: Uses this same shot for the first 45 seconds of the video then cuts to the next shot

ANALYSIS: The first shot establishes the location; in this case it is the same location for the whole video. In the medium wide shot we can see the location of a bedroom, and then the artist in the middle of the shot. The artist is looking into the camera as if she is looking in the mirror which reflects the lyrics, “I stare at my reflection in the mirror.” The lighting is dark inside but we can see light coming from the window suggesting that it is day time outside, but for some reason she would rather be sat inside in the dark. The lighting suggests a sad, emotional mood. The artist is sat very still; the audience’s main focus is her facial expression which reflects the lyrics of the song. They have purposely used little movement in this shot to make the audience concentrate on the lyrics without the distraction of her movement.

SHOT: Medium Wide

LYRICS: ‘Don’t lose who you are, in the blur of the stars’

EDIT: Pans slowly to the right then cuts back to the first shot

ANALYSIS: The main focus of this medium wide shot is again the artist. The lighting is still dark and moody; the only light is coming from the lamp in the corner. This lamp could represent hope, linking to the overall message of the track. The artist is shown to be wearing little or no clothing. This shows her vulnerability. It is showing that even though she is an established celebrity she still has feelings too. This is very different to the type of video this artist would usually make, suggesting that she is trying to appeal to a wider audience. We as an audience are viewing this voyeuristically. These seem to be very private moments that we are being shown. 

SHOT: Medium Wide

LYRICS: ‘Sometimes it’s hard, to follow your heart’

EDIT: After this shot it cuts to a close up of the artists face then back to this shot

ANALYSIS: This is the first time in the video that we see the artist with any strong emotion other than sadness. Her facial expression and body language in this shot show how strongly she feels about the lyrics of the song. Her arms are out in front of her, emphasizing her strong feelings. An audience can relate to the lyrics of this track. The artist is telling the target audience to believe in themselves and to stay true to themselves. She is inspiring the audience. Although there is the movement of her hands and face there is still not a lot of movement in the video, making the audience concentrate on the lyrics.

SHOT: Medium Wide

LYRICS: Musical break- piano and guitar

EDIT: Cut to a close up of the artists face then returns to this shot

ANALYSIS: This is a very effective way of filling a musical break in a song. In this case there is rain pouring down into the room and on top of the artist. The fact that it is raining inside reinforces the lyrics. The lyrics throughout the song are teaching the audience not to lose themselves and to be strong in life. The rain indoors suggests that life will through anything at you, things you won’t expect and that seem impossible (like rain indoors) but you have to stay strong though it. The artist has purposely done this so that the audience can relate the lyrics with their personal situations, making the song more personal and meaningful. The artist is appealing to a wider audience that what she would usually appeal to.

SHOT: Close Up

LYRICS: ‘Dreaming is believing, it’s okay not to be okay’

EDIT: A series of swift cuts between different close ups and medium wide shots of the artist sat on the chair singing

ANALYSIS: This close up of the artist is the first time that the audience has seen her smiling, and ironically it is when she is in a worse situation than she was in at the beginning of the video. At the beginning of the video she was very sad and emotional, now, at the end of the video, although she is soaking wet and her room is being destroyed she is smiling. The lighting again is dark, showing that the problems and issues affecting her are still there, but the artist is still smiling. This inspires the target audience; it is showing that they can get through any tough situations. This whole shot is reflecting the lyrics, “It’s okay not to be okay”. An audience can relate to this song.