Cutting to the Beat and Lyric Analysis
What is Cutting to the Beat?
Cutting to the beat is where in a music video the shot changes along with the beat so that there is clear continuity, Moreover it means that the
Key; FOXES Cruel
F: Foxes (female artist)
W: Window
S: Standing
I: Sitting
C: Holding clothes
V: Holding vinyl
FOXES Lyrics
Tell a lie (Long shot to mid-shot of F)
Tell a lie (Close up) that makes me want to stay (Close up of W)
Give me (Swoosh down – close-up of FS) something out of nothing
If it's not too late (Mid-shot of FS)
If it's real
If it's real, I guess I feel the pain (Mid-shot of FS)
Coming closer, out of focus (Mid-long shot of FS)
Oh, and it's hard to (Mid-shot of FI)
It's hard to love someone who can't be loved (Mid shot of FI)
(Mid-long shot of FC)But it's what you do
It's what you do (Close-up of FC)
Baby, you're so cruel, (Mid-shot of FC) you're so cruel (Jump cut)
'Cause you got me bound to you, bound to you (Mid-shot FS)
This love I can't undo (Mid-long shot of FV), can't undo
'Cause you got me bound to you, bound to you (Mid-shot of FV)
(Mid long shot)/IIIIIIII/(Mid-shot)IIIIII/(long shot)I/(long shot)IIIIIIII/(long shot) IIII
As this is all one take the shots follow Foxes as she moves the tracking shot still shows different angles.
Long to Mid-shot of FOXES
This is a long shot to mid-shot of Foxes. This is an effective shot to show off the artist clearly as well as expressing her love for music with a Walkmen. Moreover to the fact she is standing up can imply its a up beat song more over with high key lighting can make it seem happy.
Close-up of FOXES
Furthermore this close-up shot where Foxes is standing by the window reflects the part of the song where she is looking out and thinking about the relationship; "tell a lie."
Close-up of a window
Additionally the close up of the window is used to give off the aspect of location to the audience, that they are in a natural place and not in a city which reflects how she is no longer trapped but out in the open. Moreover its gives off a higher level of verisimilitude therefore it looks realistic.
Close-up of a Foxes
Similar to the a previous shot this shot of Foxes by the window but lower down implies how she was trapped in relation to the lyrics; "give me something out of nothing." Furthermore to the fact that it is a view of her head reflects how she is hidden and can not show her emotions although it is not an especially emotional song.
Medium close up shot of a FOXES
Additionally this shot where Foxes sitting on the floor as the camera is looking down on her represents how she is at a low point within the song; "If it's not too late." In which implies how she is thinking about the past.
Mid shot of a FOXES
Moreover in this mid shot Foxes is again sat down contemplating, the lighting effects this as there is low key lighting therefore reflecting the lyrics; "I guess I feel the pain." Additionally as she is not in the centre of the shot could indicate how she is not thinking straight and confused.
Mid long shot of a FOXES
As Foxes states; "Out of focus the shot zooms out and goes out of focus therefore the video clearly reflecting the lyrics. Similar the actions of her moving forward prompts the zoom out from the original shot.
Long shot of a FOXES
This is a long shot to show the location of the room as well as to show how Foxes is moving on and getting on rather than sitting on the floor thinking.
Mid-shot of a FOXES
Furthermore the mid shot is an effective shot to reflect the song because as the beat picks up for the chorus as well as implying and relating to the lyrics that she is moving on.
Mid-shot of a FOXES
This medium shot of Foxes shows the emotion connected within the up-beat song as she lip-syncs;" your so cruel." To represent the idea of her reaction to moving on.
Mid-shot of a FOXES
Similar to the last shot this mid-long shot indicates the anger behind the break-up as she is not only throwing clothes but vynls to singnal that she has had enough.
What is the effect of Cutting to the Beat in FOXES Cruel video?
The effect of cutting to the beat was created successfully although in the video most of the beginning is all one take the shots where still different. Even though some of which where repetitive focusing on a mid shot the movement created with the track meant that its seemed as if the audience where following her. Moreover cutting to the beat enables the video to flow easily as if it is in time and linked with the music other wise you could assume that the music has no relation to the track.