Lilly Allen - Smile

Lily Allen



This music video does not conform to any of the conventional narrative, propp or todorov theories. However is does follow half of the todorov theory whereby it the new equilibrium is reinstated when Lily gets her own back on her ex boyfriend.
Lily's target audience is also broad as at any age over 14+ can easily relate to a situation such as this, however the main focus will be on teens and young adults. The reason why i think this is because of the way she dresses will appeal to the younger generations and also because of the story line she displays comes accross as quite child-like and irresponsible which maturer generations would not respond to or react in this way.

Camera shots/movement

The establishing shot of this music video is a slow zoom in to a medium shot of Lily sitting on her bed eating chocolate. The zoom in allows for the audience to first of all set the scene and then focus in on her facial expression. Her facial expression is sad and the fact that she is eating chocolate reinforces this as people associate junk eating when upset or depressed. A medium shot of lily being cuddled by a guy sets the scene for the audience also, it is clear from the very first two shots that they were boyfriend and girlfriend and now they have broken up. Another medium shot at a low angle looking up at lily holding her phone, again the audience can relate to as some point everyone has gone through that and it enables the audience to capture the emotions she is feeling via the facial expression she is sending out. Many zoom in's are taken from a long shot closing into a medium shot to allow the audience plenty of time to establish the first setting, which is in her bedroom.
In the enxt scene she is standing on a street corner on her phone and a man walks into the frame and stops to talk, this creates an enigma for the audience. Who is this man? What relation is he to Lily? A close up of passing money to this guy intensifies this enigma even further for the audience. What is this money for? It then returns to a long shot and they both walk out the frame in different directions. The fact that they both walked off swiftly after exchanging money suggest that this could possibly be a dodgy deal as they didn't linger about. Could this mean they do not want to be seen together? If so, for what reason? The first minute of the video is a build up of enigma for the viewers as they are unsure of what is about to occur.
The next important camera shot is an open shoulder shot of this anonymous man talking to a gang of youths. At this point the audience will start to build an image and connecting the dots of Lily's plan. Reasons for this statement is the fact she has just given cash to an anonymous man which already is conveyed as dodgy and now he converses with a group of youths which are stereotypically associated as and involved with trouble-some and mischievious activities.
A tracking shot of Lily's ex boyfriend walking and talking on the phone fits in the lyric, 'calling me up on my phone.' This connected so that the audience can follow the story line more clearly. Also now that there is an establishing medium shot of him the audience are now clear on who she is singing about. The statement that Lily had a a mishievious plan is reinforced when a 2 shot of her ex boyfriend and one of the youths come into frame and then a fight breaks out. It straight cuts to Lily Allen, this is done to show her surroundings that she is only round the corner from where her ex is and also so that the audience can get a good climpse of her faical expression. She is smiling which supports the fact that she is behind this attack. A long shot is taken in a back street corner whereby you can see the 'chavs' beating this ex boyfriend up without seeing explicit detail so that her video is suitable for viewing for all ages however it does not promote a good message to any age audience.
A long shot is used to allow audiences to see their surroundings and where they are heading to. Another medium shot of Lily sitting down in a cafeteria what added in to establish where they are. Then it straight cuts to a 2 shot of both Lily and her ex taking off their coates to get comfortable at the table, this suggests they are going to converse about the events which had just occured.
Many medium shots are taken of Lily to highlight her facial expressions which are conveyed to be sad, while she is sitting with her ex, however the audience know that this is just an act for her ex.
Also many over shoulder shots are taken of her ex as he explains his unfortunate encounter and therefore we are able to gather his emoitions via his facial expressions.
A zoom in is used of another youth kicking down the door in the middle of an alleyway, again this creates an enigma. What he is planning next? Where does this door lead to?
A high angle shot of two youths it used to allow the audience to see the level of distruction they cause within the flat. Also hand held camera movement is used to create a more realistic and chaotic atmosphere for the audience, furthermore it can be approached differently such as 'happy slapping' whereby youths stereotypically film acts of violence or distruction.
A close up of them scratching vinyl records is focused on, it is the the prime subject of the frame, what is that for and why is it important to frame?
A side shot of Lily sitting alone at the table looking over her shoulder creates suspicions amoungst the audience as her facial expression conveys as concerned and devious. A close up of a box of laxatives is focused upon to show its importance in the story line.
As Lily's ex returns home, a close up of his facial expressions to show his shock when finding the state of his apartment to enable the audience to relate and understand his emotions. A medium shot shows him kissing his case of vinyl discs to suggest how important they are to him. This is clear later on in the video where the audience can see his occupation is a dj, a close up of a dj deck is shown and the scratches are visable to him. A pan shot soon later is used which shows him standing out of the dj box, he had been pushed aside as his vinyl discs were unusable, this as a bigger picture has also threatened his career. At this point some audiences may feel sympathy for his character, more than likely this reaction will come from male audiences as they are able to personally relate. Female audiences however may feel resentment or unsympathetic towards his situation as they also can relate coming from their point of view. Without question, males and females do generally tend to always place themselves in the shoes of the same gender, as they feel is easier to relate with as it is natural to understand the feelings of the same sex.
A high angle shot of the toilet with him clothes stuffed inside them shows it from his point of view, this will create a mood amoungst viewers, a sense of panic and sympathy for him as a character.
Lily's lyrics are perfect fitting for her story line as she 'smiles' by getting her own back on him, this is evident in many shots such as a tracking shot which is taken of Lily walking down the street in confidence and with a happy and satisfied expression.

Costume

In the beginning scene, Lily is wearing a dress, which conveys her to be feminine and girly. She is wearing big gold heart-shaped earings which is quite ironic as relationship and and heart break is what she sings about within her lyrics. Lily has a reputation to look quite 'chavy' in some of her music videos, this statement is reinforced in her choice of costume in this video. More evidence of this is whe she is wears a dark blue coat, again wearing a dress conveying to be lady-like however it contrasts with the trainers she wears, this connotes she is both girly and a tom boy. Also the colours of her outfit are balck and pink, two contrasting colours which again could connote both a good and evil side to Lily. It alos could represent her mood, she wears a dark coloured coat to connote her anger she feels towards her ex and her dress is pink which conveys her happiness she gained from her revenge. Her make-up is over done which could show that she tries to hard and her fingers are covered in fake gold sovereign rings. It is clear Lily was styled to look this way so that she has a hard-looking exterior. Maybe this was to fit into the idea of her story line as media today has built a wall around the ideology of chavs today in society and built up a threatening reputation therefore is adds to the threatening appearance she is trying to portray.
The youths are stereotypically dressed in tracksuit bottoms and hoodies, the girl youth has her hair scrapped back into a pony tail which shows that she does not care about her appearance much. Again she is wearing big hooped earings which is also associated as 'chav' looking.
Lily's ex boyfriend is wearing jeans and a smart black coat which conveys him as intellectual and more fashionable.

Lighting

Majority of Lily's video is shot in natural light, the light appears blue therefore it tells me it is set in the morning time. It also tells me that the weather is bad which could add to the dull and depressing mood she is displaying. Also the fact that the lighting is natural, this gives off a sense of realism.