Don’t Stop Now’- Dua Lipa video analysis

1. ‘Don’t Stop Now’- Dua Lipa MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

2. This handheld shot opens the music video, showing the reader instantly who the star of the video is, due to how central she is in the shot. She has grabbed the camera, showing that she’s in control, and in charge. Her clothing (cropped, colourful, stylish) also has connotations to partying, confidence and being trendy. Dua Lipa really seems to be the life of the party here. The flashing lights in this scene connote a party type vibe, and emphasises the fact that these girls are in a club. The mass of waving hands, disco ball and blue coloured lights also reflect this. I would say the hand-held shot gives the video a chaotic and crazy feel to the scene. This GIF shows Dua Lipa throwing the camera to the floor, and then looking down to the floor pitfully. This could have been a way in which another person being pushed onto the floor is shown. This reflects how the night out clubbing did possibly not go to plan, with it ending messily. It also shows a mean, pushy side of the artist. The low angle of the camera puts her in a powerful, high-status position.

3. This shot furthers the image of the star (important, confident, famous) as the camera is following her into the bar, reflecting perhaps how she feels she is followed by cameras/ paparazzi all the time. The fact she throws off her large, brightly coloured coat shows the viewer that she’s ready to dance and party. Once again, this star’s fame and confidence is emphasised as the footage cuts to a close up shot of the singer being filmed on an audience member’s phone. This reflects her fame, and her talent. Personally, I think this scene shows a really famous singer doing a surprise pop-up show in her local bar, shocking everyone. The way that she holds the mic and looks directly into the phone’s camera suggests an almost seductive confidence about the singer.

4. Dua Lipa is then seen to be walking across a dance floor, on her own, weaving in between people dancing. The light is shining on her, whilst everyone else is wearing regular clothes, and in the background. She is wearing the bright yellow top, as mentioned earlier, standing out from the crowd. This suggests an air of confidence and importance. The fact this bit is in slow-mo suggests she is in no rush to get anywhere, as other people wait for her. In this shot, Dua Lipa’s face has been super-imposed over a shot of herself. This creates an almost ethereal-divine vibe to the video, perhaps signalling to an audience that this could all be in her imagination. The fact that her face is on the screen twice in one shot emphasises her fame and relevance. The lighting darkens here, showing the emotional intensity of the situation. There are shown to be lots of hands surrounding Dua Lipa, suggesting that she’s desired by many but that none of them really matter to her (as not one of these hands are people she’s close to). It’s a very seductive and sexually expressive image of the singer.

5. The video uses slow-motion editing to show the importance and anticipation of her coming into any room she walks into, as she’s beautiful, confident and talented. The red carpet and walls almost emulate the feel of a celebrity walking along a red carpet. In this section, the singer is shown to have walked into what looks like a Black Tie event, wearing a pair of jeans and a yellow cropped top. This suggests she is in want of a good time, and isn’t bothered with formalities. She is welcome anywhere regardless. As well as that, Dua Lipa is seen to chug a glass of champagne, in preparation to dance and party. She doesn’t care what other people say and wants to party wherever she is. The shallow focus on this shot emphasises how she is the star, and the only ome in the room that matters.

6. From this point in the video, everything seems to become a little bit more chaotic. The birds’ eye shot shows Dua Lipa to be out of control, and of not a very high status at this point, juxtaposing the luxurious environment that she’s in. The superimposition of herself being in the shot twice creates feelings of chaos and makes the audience feel as if the singer isn’t so sure what’s going on. In this shot, Dua Lipa is flooded with red lights. She aggressively shouts ‘Don’t show up’, pulling a frustrated facial expression. She also uses her hands to gesture this, by wagging her finger to the camera. The colour red, as well as the mood of the singer at this point suggests the anger that the singer feels towards whoever this song is about. Her attitude begins to really shine through. At this point, the takes start to become much shorter, meaning the editing is extremely fast paced. This creates (once again) a messy, chaotic feel (just as drinking in a club does). She then goes to look in the mirror, furthering the singer’s confident persona. The mirrors connotes vanity and self-belief.