Blondie- Heart of Glass Music Video Analysis

Camera shot/movement

The first shot of the video consists with a high angle shot/birdseye view overlooking a city in America and a tracking movement of the camera is also used. The purpose of this shot is used to establish the setting in America where she is. It also makes the video look more expensive and high budget as it is similar to how the scenes are set in films. The tracking shot is then continued, however on the ground through the streets of the city. It gives the impression of a viewpoint out of a moving car, which makes the audience feel more involoved in the video as they can view the sights from the eye level camera shots provided. Within the tracking shots, there are closeups of nightclubs and bars along the streets to make the audience gain an impression of the lively nightlife and mood of which the video will portray. Furthermore, before the artist is introduced there is a zoom in and a low angle shot going into the club/gig venue and the low angle shot provides a shot which looks up at the disco ball, which sets a vivacious party mood. After, the artist is then introduced with a quick fade in to fasten the pace of the video when the lyrics begin and then with a close up of her face. This provides a sense of closeness between the artist and the audience.

The artist is mostly centre framed and is dominant in screen shots as she has the majority of screen time. This heightens her importance in the video and shows the audience she is the focus of their attention. Furthermore, Blondie is the only female featured in the video, therefore it makes her stand out more and forces attention from the audience upon her.

Costume

Blondie is portrayed as a conventionally attractive. Her blonde hair, fair skin and red lips make her attractive to male audiences as it is a stereotypical depiction of a female, therefore sexualizing her to males. She is wearing fashionable clothing for the 70's, however the outfit does not present her in a sexual manner as most of her body is covered up. The grey colour of her dress connotes a relaxed and laid -back personality. This will be interpreted as 'cool' to the audience. Other band mates in her video are wearing costumes which mildly coordinate with her outfit. This makes her video look professional, however it still has the relaxed tone as it is casual and fashionable wear.

Props involved are objects such as guitars, keyboards, headphones and other musical equipment in general. This provides suggestions that Blondie's band is talented and musically orientated. Also, the fact that her music is not too extravagant, but just a her and her band performing at a gig makes her seem more down to earth and more interested in the music alone without all the special effects and narratives that artist's seem to have in their videos.

Lighting

From the opening shots, the audience are aware that the video is set at night, due to the birds-eye view of the city and also the tracking shots through the city streets to display the nightlife. As the club/gig venue has dark lighting as you would expect, key lighting is used on the artist to enhance her features, especially within the close up shot and to make her facial expressions more clear. The filler light is used around her and her other band members, which is typical of a gig set performance. This provides a sense of reality and 'being there' for the demographic, ultimately making a bigger impact for them and heighten the sense of entertainment.