Music Video Analysis: Talk Me Down (Cutting Rate)

As we are in the process of planning our editing for "Control", I decided to analyse this music video in terms of its cutting rate. I thought, as this video is a Narrative/Performance style, it would influence us when we are editing too.

The Performance aspect of this video, initially, has longer cuts, and is in slow motion. The Performance cuts last for around 2-3 seconds, for the first minute of the video. This helps to establish the faster cuts of the narrative, with the longest cut being just under 2 seconds. This idea suggests the state the characters are in within this part of the video - since they're at a funeral it helps to establish how they may be feeling. These quick cuts also reflect the mood of the main character, who appears to be grieving over his father. In each cut he is breathing heavily and frantically looking around, which helps to suggest why the cutting rate is so fast. Sivan, in his Performance shots, is in the same location but at a different time, which can be established through the cutting rate. He is reflecting on the story both visually and through the song.

When Sivan enters the Narrative, it can be said that the cutting rate slows down. This could be because the Performance and Narrative is integrating, or that the scene has calmed down. From this moment, some of the longest cuts are flashbacks of the father and son. This helps to establish the idea that these memories want to be savoured and they are the only bright and uplifting cuts throughout the video. The present day cuts are still much faster and obvious.

The cutting rate slows down again when Sivan sees the son. There is a long set of cuts, around 2-3 seconds each, in a string. These appear to be in slow motion, suggesting the idea of shock or confusion of seeing a familiar face again. These long cuts are important in suggesting not only the artist's emotions, but also the relationship between the two characters, and establishing Sivan's role in the Narrative.

After this long string of cuts, the rate increases ever so slightly, until Sivan is out of the Narrative and seen again when he is performing. This can be used to compliment the previous length of cuts, as it again helps to imply the nature of the two characters' relationship, established further through a faster jump cut of a childhood memory including the two.

The video continues to flicker between fast and slower cuts, matching the fast-paced, panicked Narrative and the slower, more treasured memories and Performance. The Performance only seems to speed up when we realise the relationship between the two boys, with a long cut of them kissing. This causes a majority of the cuts to be much quicker and less controlled, which helps to establish to the audience how the characters are feeling.

The cutting rate slows down significantly as the two boys meet each other in the Narrative. As they look at each other and recognise, the cuts are slow to allow the audience the chance to understand the situation. As the two boys hug, the cutting rate increases again and the general pace of the video is faster. This continues throughout the rest of the video, with the two boys being discovered. The rate of the cuts from this point also help to emphasise the implications of suicide shown through the shots and parallel shots from childhood. The cutting rate helps to portray the mindset of the son, and could be a visual for his panicked and upset state. Once the suicide is implied, the cutting rate is the slowest it has been throughout the video. This helps to imply that the son is at peace, and is no longer living in misery. The same shot is shown for around 4 seconds. This means the audience are able to reflect on the events that have happened and are able to calm their brains down from the amount of fast cuts and shots shown throughout the video.

Overall, this music video uses its cutting rate to reflect the mental state of the characters, and also to help establish feelings and relationships. It uses long cuts of memories to suggest their value and the effect they have on the characters, and the idea of peace is presented through long cuts.