Analysis of Music Video: Pull Me Down - Mikky Ekko

Pull Me Down - Mikky Ekko


 

I will be looking at the music video for ‘Pull Me Down’ by Mikky Ekko for an analysis of mise-en-scene, including set, costume, lighting and acting.

Through a series of pans, the audience are shown a floor covered with broken glass. There are fallen lamps and shoes strewn around it. This implies that there has been an argument. The pair of broken glasses suggest it could have been between two people on a relationship. From the CUs the audience’s eye is drawn to the expensive look and quality to the items. For example, there is a leopard print sofa and a black high heel with gem stones around the ankle.

 

Both of these items contrast the next shot, still a pan, of a white walled corridor. After the variety of colours and textures displayed in the previous shot, the simplicity of this location reinforces the chaos the audience has previously seen. This allows them to process it, as the information implied in the earlier shots is important to understanding the narrative.

The dimly lit room reflects the mood of the character, who is also in this case the artist. This is emphasised by the dull colours used in both the set and costume. For example, the blinds through which the only light is coming from, are a light grey colour. This is emphasised even further by a CU of the blinds. The audience’s attention is also drawn to the movement of the blinds, which again helps to create the reflective, melancholy atmosphere of the song. The colours used in the set of the bedroom are dull but quite light, drawing attention to Mikky Ekko, who is almost silhouetted by the dim backlight in the shot.

A dolly shot then draws the audience’s attention to Ekko’s costume. As with the bedroom set, they are fairly plain, with a simple monochrome colour scheme. Though the clothes are simple, through the use of a necklace it can be assumed that the costume reflects Ekko’s style. Therefore, this helps portray Ekko’s persona as an artist.

There is unconventional use of lighting at many points throughout the video. A great deal of it is shot using low key lighting, with Ekko being largely if not entirely in shadow at some points. Again, this contributes to the moodiness of the piece. The technique only works, as there are also a great deal of CU shots of the artist. These are well lit, and used to portray him miming the song.