Music video analysis for Jake Bugg- ‘Lightning bolt’ The music video for Jake Bugg’s ‘lightning Bolt’ is a performance video as it includes him singing throughout it also has shots of his guitar. The song was released on the 27h of April 2012 in his debut album ‘Jake Bugg’, it made it to number 26 in the official U.K charts.

The song’s explicit meaning could possibly be an unexpected situation in which you can find yourself. This is because during the chorus he says he is the kind of person who takes everything that has come his way, he doesn’t force anything; "I just stand by and I wait my time", but he will take the chance when it comes his way "when I see the signs I jump on that lightning bolt". He doesn't want to be one of those people who "walk with gritted teeth” and end up missing their chances. However, there could be a an alternative meaning; could be taking your chances in love as he says “met her as the angles parted her” and “she only bought me torture, but that’s what happens when you walk into a lightning bolt”.

The video starts off with an establishing shot off the city this immediately starts off the active audience mind; it allows us to build a picture off what is happening and stereotypes will start to form. It the tracks a tram this gives us an idea off the location. It then transacts to a wide angle shot of Jake Bugg plating the guitar. In the background there is graffiti this is stereotypical of the northern cities. This is because Northerners have been stereotyped to be working class and commit more crime. It then leads on to a section which rotates from black and white close ups to mediums in colour of Jake walking. There are also some wide angle shots. However, the coloured shots look older than the black and white shots. This is because the coloured shots have had a blurry filter put over the shots as it looks like it was filmed in the 1960s. This was possible done to connote his indie image he wants to portray or even to show the era from which his music was inspired by. Additionally, some of the shots that are shaky this is possibly done to make the shoot feel as if it’s filmed by a passer-by. Nearly all of the shots include some movement there not all still. Throughout all of the shots Jake Bugg looks very relaxed and cool whilst leading against the wall (medium) this goes with the meaning of the song as he is waiting for a chance; “to jump on that lightning bolt”.

The film has been edited effectively to keep the realism of the video. This has happened due to continuity editing and filming. They have cut from shot to shot on the beat of the music his once again keeps the audience in the diegesis of the video. There are no fancy fades or transitions; instead they have used a simple yet effective straight cut. They have added some special effects to the coloured shots making them look older than they are; it is as if they have saturated the shots and added a blur to make it look like an old hand held camera. Furthermore, the music is non-diegetic.

During the music video the lighting is bright and is saturated by the filter or it’s black and white in some off the shots. The difference in lighting adds another dimension and makes it more interesting for the viewer. During the music video Jake Bugg is wearing casual clothing. For example he is wearing jeans, a hoodie and a sweatshirt

all at various points. During the video Jake is often playing the guitar or carrying it. This shows the audience how amazing he is as well as continuing the realistic effect as the main instrument in the song is the guitar and the video features a guitar.

In conclusion, the makers of the music video “lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg have used medium, wide and close up shot predominantly and have used some tracking shots .i.e. the tram and the shot that looks as if its filmed outside of a car window. The variety of shots makes the video exciting and gives it some substance. They have also thought about Mise-en-scene and editing to convey Jake and his music in the way he wants it to be shown: honest, unique and rather indie.