Video Analysis: Uptown Girl

Despite knowing that analysing this video will influence the outcome of my final product, I knew that I wanted to share some thematic overtones with the original video. The musical theatre influences and choral movements are pieces I wanted in my final product regardless, however it was interesting to see how the original video used camera movements and mis-en-scen to communicate meaning.

The entire video takes places in an American gas station during the early 1980s, a setting that manages to encapsulate the severe divide between the middle and working classes of the time. Dirtied streets and clothing, leaking water pumps and neon lights in the night all combine to craft an atmosphere of hardship and depravity, something that completely contrasts the upbeat tempo of the music and the exaggerated smiles of the background mechanics when supporting Joel's character. Perhaps this decision was made in order to highlight the broader themes of transgressing boundaries in pursuit of a goal, shaping the anthemic nature of this video by twisting an obstacle into a means of motivation.

For the most part, the camera remains fairly static between shots, however, there are many sequences with tracking shots as Joel's character moves around the setting. It's important to note that he is mostly central to the composition, however there is some variety in his placement depending on the camera angle. This is something I wish to include as it clearly distinguishes the artist away from the background characters, promoting them for the audience.