Analysis of Kate Nash- Foundations

Kate Nash's foundations video makes use of both acting and animation. The scenes are Parallel to the narrative, showing Kate's relationship with her boyfriend break down slowly, through the variety of scenes it is obvious that they have many differences, but according to the lyrics Kate hold's their relationship together. However, this idea will still be conveyed even if the visuals were played alone.



As the video begins high piano keys are played consistently, parallel to close up shots of paired objects that are used daily, or installations that appear normal to the audience, such as two tooth brushes, two watches and high heels (these objects presumably belong to the couple). However, immediately the average day scenes are disrupted by a bowling ball being thrown towards the row of shoes. This shows that there is some sort of chaos in the relationship, especially because the ball seem to be thrown by the boyfriend.

As the next instruments are introduced to beat begins to have a more upbeat feel, and the scenes change to a two shot of a male and female playing a board game. This is irrelevant to the audience at the moment, as it only gives little indication to what the narrative is about, therefore the audience can only assume who the characters are. However, as Kate begins to sing the storyline become more apparent, and it is now obvious that the board game represents their relationship as a game. As it says...

Thursday night, everything's fine, except you've got hat look in your eye,
When i'm telling you a story, you find it boring,
You're thinking of something to say,
You'll go along with it then drop it and humiliate me in front of our friends.

This shows that their relationships is not interesting for the both of them, as her boyfriend plays along with Kate, but the truth is he does not care. Nevertheless, a sense of optimism is portrayed as Kate sings...

Then i'll use hat voice that you fin annoying and say like,
"Yeah intelligent input darlin" why don't you just have another beer then,
Then you'll call me a bitch, and everyone we're with will be embarrassed,
And I won't give a shit.

This visuals support this as a close up of Kate opening the fridge to many beer bottles, though her optimism is reveled as she uses the empty beer bottle as a vase for her blossoming orchid.

The problems in the relationship are further established during the chorus as the lyrics read...

My fingertips are holding, to the cracks in our foundation,
And I know that I should let go, but I can't,
And everytime we fight I know that it's not right,
everytime you're upset and I smile,
I know I should forget but I can't

During the chorus, the intonation of the song rises making it stand out against the rest f the song, this emphasizes that the problem repeatedly occurs in their relationship, furthermore, a number of different shots accompany the lyrics. Firstly, a close up, over the shoulder shot is used revealing Kate playing cards, however, her boyfriend appears to be large blur, as the camera is not in focus, this gives the idea that her boyfriend is a blur in her life.

Secondly, as the lyrics read My fingertips are holding, to the cracks in our foundation, a cut away of two hands holding on by their fingertips against an over exposed background illustrates exactly what the lyrics mean.

Further into the song the same line My fingertips are holding, to the cracks in our foundation, is conveyed by another scene, of a point of view shot of the boyfriend taking decorations off a cake, and Kate replacing them, this again reveals the same idea of Kate filling in the gaps in their relationship.

Furthermore, the animation of the socks moving together and fighting, also create an appropriate image of the lyrics, And everytime we fight I know that it's not right, this shows that every aspect of their relationship is falling out, since even the socks fight.

Towards the end of the song there is an instrumental, where everything in the scenes seem to fall into place, which is apart from eachother. Like the beginning of the video their relationship is depicted through the daily objects, however towards the end the same idea is used but the object move away from eachother rather than touch eachother.

The final scene is of Kate pacing her bags and closing the door behind her, which represents the closure of her relationship with her boyfriend.