The Saturdays – My Heart Takes Over

9-Shot Analysis

A close-up of each individual group member is prominent throughout the piece, this allows the audience to indentify with each singer as the close up shows their face intensely. Their expression is easy to evaluate at this range as there is much detail available – which allows the audience to conclude their own answer from the facial expressions given.

The in-depth detail on display with the close-up enables the singer to envelop themselves in their music and portray their passion to the camera with the facial movements.

The close-up also allows the audience to view the singers make-up closely, possibly enabling them to copy it directly.

As the lyrics say “walking away from us” a visual aid is given, the singer is walking alone as if she has walked away from ‘us’. This enables the audience to follow the story of the song and story created within the music video.

The extreme long shot also allows the audience to see the location of the video shoot, this could have some significance to them or to the narrative of the video itself.

The low angle could be a representation of the singers feelings or emotions, they feel heart-broken or distressed with the thought of the other person ‘walking away from us’ – possibly indicating towards their relationship. This emotion is also reinforced with the pathetic fallacy of a rainy, cold day – the singer feels cold towards the situation.

The lyrics and visuals follow a illustrative structure, according to Goodman’s theory. The artist demonstrates what they’re saying.

To compliment the location shot with the singer within it, a straight location shot is filmed. This could be to support the idea of where they are meant to be – some deserted area that doesn’t seem to hold much joy, similar to their relationships.

A clear indication is given of the weather and how the situation may be linked to it. The grey film over the shot creates the sense of someone being lost, or sheer hopelessness, this could be is response to the song lyrics exploring a world without a man and how they would have to cope.

The calms of the water could imply that the girls within the group have found a solution to the problem of a life without a man. The water represents them being able to continue on in life.

In order to appeal to the pop genre, medium close-ups are used again in an attempt for the singers to connect with the audience. Eye contact is present within these shots as this is a connection the singer can hold as the perform the song. This creates a link between both artist and audience as it helps them to portray their feelings whilst ‘talking’ to that individual audience member. This idea of isolation and selection of audience may cause the audience member to feel involved and possibly even special.

The medium close-up also allows the audience to see more of the artists costume compared to the close-up shot. The mise-en-scene is essential to a pop genre performance as it allows the audiences to relate or perhaps aspire to look like the artists.

The lyrics could have a connection to this shot as the group sing “cos (because) if you leave”, this could possibly indicate towards their insecurities and child-like innocence – they don’t want to be alone. The horses could resemble the group as they are considered innocent animals. Also the fact there are five horses could relate to the five group members.

Similarly, the level of the camera could also show their low status, the feel they aren’t bold enough to stand out or restrain their man. However, the slight angle looking upwards could be interpreted as them having power, we as the audience are looking up at them.

The cross-cutting between each group member allows the audience to view each member individually, as they are alone the audience can examine them without being distracted by the other members being in the shot.

The editing between each shot is timed to the beat of the music, this collaborates the music and visuals, this could be in an attempt to keep the pace of the video up and synced with the narrative/song.

The extreme long shot allows a full length view of the costumes each member is wearing. This enables a maximum opportunity for the audience to see what styles this particular girl group are following. This fits in with the genre of pop, the clothing keeping up-to-date with current fashions.

The long shot enables the audience to view the grounds costumes fully, supporting the idea of accessibility stated earlier. The current or popular fashion trends (the group in particularly follow) are demonstrated within this shot.

As all five ground members are within the same frame it could be interpreted that they stand as a unit, supporting one another as they go through this situation. The idea of togetherness maintains the pop genre image of stability and unity as this is how they want their audiences to perceive them.

The body language of each member are easily viewed within this shot, the audience are able to read their positions and interpret how each member feels towards the situation. This will aid the audience to create an understanding of what is occurring.

The extreme shot – somewhat resembling an establishing shot – provides the audience with a visual of the setting with them within it.

The shot could symbolise the distance between the two parties within the narrative. The audience are put in the place of the man, they are being included with the story. This allows them to create connections with what is happening.

The medium shot presents the audience with the ability to see not only artist but also what is occurring around her.

The white flakes – which appear to be snow flakes – surround the artist, this could symbolise her friends within the group, they surround her giving her support and guidance. However, the white (of the snowflakes) connote innocence and purity, this could indicate towards how the artist is starting afresh – her relationships are left pure and new. Or alternatively it could symbolise the purity within her heart which is supported by the lyrics “this is where my heart takes over”, her pure heart is taking control.