Use of Lighting; The Weeknd - Starboy ft. Daft Punk

The whole of the music video is located in the rural area of  Hollywood, California, and set inside a house for the majority of the music video until the end, of which the artist ventures out in one of several luxurious vehicles. Even though the music video is filmed during the night, very little lighting is used thereby they're able to portray as much realism as possible. The only lighting seen to be used in these locations would be the lamps around the house, until the artist begins to drive of which then the only lighting is from the vehicle itself but also the street lights in the far distance. From having these type of locations alongside low-key lighting it helps to portray the narrative of the music video and the theme of mystery.

Considering the beat is fast and rythmic, the concept of the music video is focused on the beat of the song because instead of including non-diegetic sounds of glass smashing, the performers action is matched to the beat therefore as the glasses smashes, a crash sound is played in the beat. This helps to drive the destructive narrative of the scenes but also provides the music video with continuity rather than an imbalance of any sound effects to the soundtrack.

Throughout the music video, the lighting incorporated is low-key natural lighting with aspects of numerous lamps to make the audience aware of the artist surroundings, although by implementing several lamps into the scenes, a theme of mystery is conveyed through the shadows and area's of darkness constructed. In addition, this theme is further supported with strobe lighting; essentially imitating lightning and thunder. However, as the music video progresses the less lamps are used as the artist begins to carry a a large red neon cross. This neon cross therefore illuminates the artist and his surroundings without the need of other sources of lighting. Not only does this prop incorporate lighting but it also reinforces the concept base of the music video as its colour reveals its significance, being the prop represents the reincarnation.



Numerous camera angles are included to portray the narrative of the music video. Mostly long-shots, close-ups and mid-shots - due to their ability of conveying the setting, emotions and actions. Close-ups have been integrated to showcase the artists emotion and passion whilst lip-syncing. Mid-shots highlight the artists performance without eluding the luxury background. Lastly, long-shots are included towards the end of the music video and are intertwined with tracking shots as the footage shows the audience the whereabouts of the artist while he drives down the road.

In addition, the camera angles provided help to reveal representations of several significant scenes but also to help keep the audience informed. For example, a zoomed in pan shot is included to give recognition to co-producers Daft Punk because they're not seen in the video other than in a painting on the wall. Therefore showing their impact on the music, itself, and making the audience aware of their participation. Besides this an extreme close-up is used to exhibit an eye with the red neon cross reflected in the iris. As the video progresses, the extreme close-up begins to slowly zoom in, giving importance to the red neon cross but sharing the idea that the neon cross is bowed down to as it implies the feeling and phrase 'Love at first sight'.

The artist, The Weeknd, is represented in two different ways. At the beginning of the music video he is represented vulnerable and weak as he is zip tied to the chair, later to be suffocated. Whereas for the rest of the music video he is perceived as dangerous and dominant. However as the music video continues, it is unveiled that the 'new' and reincarnated artist is the same performer whom killed the 'old' artist. In connection to this, we as an audience are able to see the 'new' Weeknd to be destroying his previous trophies and evidence of himself. This therefore creates a narrative based around the idea of the artist killing of a weaker version of himself to then be able to evolve into a greater, much stronger version. Furthermore, by the artist dressing in all black secludes him to mystery yet when entangled with the scenes showing him to be destroying numerous objects, portay the artist to carry a criminal aura; linking with the luminous red cross and black panther to help convey a theme of danger and supremacy.

Jump cuts and match on action shots are used in time with a specific beat of the instrumental and at times specific strobe lighting's to keep a continuous flow. Even more so, the jump-cuts begin to quicken, the same time the instrumental speeds up due to the music video being at its peak resulting in fast pace action. Purposely emphasising the chaos and destruction of the scene.