Ben Howard- ‘Keep Your Head Up’

There is not an obvious narrative to the video, it is thematic and artistic, and the main focus is selling the song, not selling him. Each shot is abstract; almost every shot

could potentially be a painting. There are no shots that are wasted, unlike film trailers. There is a motif of nature throughout the video, as well as the reoccurring theme of bubbles. Connotations of bubbles link to; transience, unstable, vulnerability, childhood etc. The lyrics of the song reflect the bubbles; they float very delicately, like the mind floats from thought to thought, exploring the different mindsets throughout. The aesthetic shot of dawn is fresh, positive and extremely symbolic to the video. It evokes a sense of ‘a new start’, happiness and excitement ahead. The contrast of colours used

to determine the start of a new day compared to the darker colours used for shade underneath the trees etc. suggest the increase in his positivity, a new lease of life, full of ideas and happiness. This then links in to the video, when he has the idea to create the slide running through the woods, into the forest, linking in with the motif of childhood from the bubbles, slides evoking the idea of being at a playground.

Again the shots of the fields reinforce the idea of nature. The nature also links with this idea od childhood, as stereotypically kids love being outdoors, running around, not fussed about materialistic objects but they just love being out having fun, making their own fun. He is wearing no shoes in the video; again showing him being at one with nature. The video is not about having expensive objects and living a ‘luxury’ life but it is about focusing on what matters, living for the moment and enjoying life to the full; making the most of what you have. There are very few shots on his face at the start of the video, because the main purpose of the video is to have an impact on the viewer, selling the song itself, rather than selling the idea and him. The yellow colours, behind the tree as he walks under it imply mystery and fantasy; just like a little kid would when they play with their friends. The emphasis of the bubble reflects the vulnerability of him as he is acting like a child would. The shots of him show his clothes as average, portraying him stereotypically as the ‘average’ person. They don’t evoke glamour; they are plain and simple, yet effective for the purpose of the video. The sun and water whilst he paddles his feet reflects the surroundings and conventions of being at the beach, again continuing this idea of a small child being overwhelmed, playing at the beach in the sea.There are no significant extreme props of a high cost, again enforcing the idea that the video is purely to sell the song not him. Although the only props that are used are natural from the woods in which the video is being filmed, this evokes a lost cost budget for the video. The props are mainly rustic, e.g. the logs etc.There is a great deal of ‘blurry’ unfocused shots being used through the video. These could be used for various reasons, implications of his ‘unclear mind’ being set free as the shots start to focus again; thus

linking with the title of the song “keep your head up”. The lack of personal shots of him disconnect the viewer, making the viewer become the audience, forcing the viewer to listen to the music rather than just watching it.The idea is to sell the music and not him. Water is symbolic for two reasons in this video; it has a calming peaceful effect, as well as something to be seen

as fun and exciting. The shot of the ripples in the water evoke a stress free zone, just like the shots of him and his friends making the waterslide. Just like kids they create the slide, however this time water is used to exemplify their creativity and how they are making the most of everything they have. Now, as the viewer, from the variety of shots and speed of editing we can see an obvious change of moods. There are frequent close-up shots of their facial expressions now being used. This is to exaggerate their happiness and mood change, focusing on the result of their adrenaline rush. The tracking shot of the slide as they go down it forces our eye to follow and

experience all of the emotions they are feeling at once. There are lots tracking shots being used towards the end as we follow him through the woods to their triumph making the slide. The slide could be used as a metaphor; the journey from the top of the slide to the bottom, as well as the emotional journey of his positivity.