The music video for ‘Smile’
performed by Lily Allen is both narrative and performance based where the
artist is present and is portrayed as a character within the narrative. Lots of
mid shots and close ups of the artist have been used to promote the star and to
create a more prominent star image. The use of a mid shot introduces us to the
artist as the camera moves in on her. This creates a star image which is used
to introduce and promote the artist. A close up has also been used to create a
star image as well as showing the audience the artist’s iconography that makes
them recognisable.
Long shots have been used to make
Lily Allen appear alone and isolated which makes her the focus of the music
video as well as creating a relationship with the lyrics. “Never been on my own
that way just sat by myself all day.” This reinforces part of the narrative as
it contrasts the idea of being happy and smiling and suggests what she was like
before she was happy. The use of continuous camera movement makes the music
video flow better and makes it more visually interesting as well as matching
the atmosphere of the song and visuals. Having handheld camera shots makes it
appear like a documentary and it makes you feel like you’re there and so this
creates a sense of voyeurism.
This also presents the focus on
looking and so we are looking into her ‘secret and personal life.’ Within the
music video Lily Allen addresses the audience and so this allows the audience
to create a kind of ‘bond’ with the artist and also adds to the sense of
voyeurism. The face pace of edit and rhythmic cutting goes with the fast pace
of music and so it matches the feel of the music as well as the energetic and
happy atmosphere. The location of the performance section of the music video
takes place in a bedroom and so this goes with the idea of being upset and
crying in your bedroom.
It also contrasts the sense of
being happy and also the vivid colours of the room. Soft lighting has been used
to make the scene appear natural and also creates a lack of shadows as well as
highlighting the face and making a more glamorous appearance. Bright vivid
colours have been used for the costume for example, pink eye shadow and a green
jumper, as this makes the artist appear more prominent as well as insinuating
that she is happy, which goes with the theme of the song. Diegetic lighting is
coming through the window in the shot which has a sheet over it, the sheet acts
as a filter and diffuses a yellowy light. Yellow has the connotations of happy
and joy which matches the theme of the song. A glow filter has also been used
in order to add to the happy atmosphere of the song and enhances the vivid
colours. 
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