




Every shot in a music video has certain elements, like location, angles, and colors, that are specifically used in every image to help convey emotions. These images in the music video go with the lyrics of the song. By looking at the emotions generated and analyzing the lyrics, a message can be interpreted from the music video. The music video See You Again, by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, uses specific camera shots, character gaze, and color contrast to pay respect to the actor Paul Walker after his tragic death.

Picture of Paul Walker in the “See You Again” music video. Picture is at 0:38 seconds in.

In this image of Paul Walker, the variety of elements establish a connection between this image’s emotions and racing. This image uses a close-up shot of Paul’s face. By using a close-up shot, the viewer is able to see every detail in Paul’s expression. The intensity in this image is in the form of an extra-diegetic gaze. An extra-diegetic gaze is where a character is looking directly at the viewer or somewhere off panel. By using this type of gaze, serious and intense emotions emerge straight at the viewer. The colors used in this image are all contrasting colors. The interior of the car he is in is all black. By having a black background, it allows for greater contrast of his lighter skin colors and emerges all the details in his face. The darkness around his eyes stand out from his blue eyes and light skin color. This display portrays Paul being concentrated. The intense concentration emotions in this image are connected to racing. Paul was best known for staring in the Fast and Furious movies, which are movies based on racing cars. This image is paying respect to Paul by depicting him in a car, getting ready for a race. 

Image 2 is located 3:00 into the music video.

In this image, the dark colors and depressing emotion associate to a funeral. Wiz Khalifa, the songwriter, is sitting on a sports car. This image has a long shot view. Wiz’s entire body, as well as the car, are both within the frame. By using a long shot, the image makes Wiz appear lonely. Wiz is also using an extra-diegetic gaze by looking somewhere outside the panel. This makes him look distraught. The color scheme in this image is dark. Even the white car and jacket are very dim in the image. The darkness of the colors establishes a sad and depressing mood. The dark colors are also in contrast with the bright and vibrant sun in the background. It appears to be a sun setting; correlating with ending, and the passing away of Paul. The main two colors in the image are black and white. The sports car is white, with a black race stripe, and Wiz is wearing black pants with a white jacket. In the Fast and Furious movies, Paul Walker had a white race car. The white sports car in the image is symbolizing Paul. The dark colors, depressing emotions, and symbols of ending and Paul, portray a funeral for Paul Walker.

During the first image of Paul Walker in his car, Wiz Khalifa comes in and sings “Damn, who knew? All the planes we flew. Good things we’ve been through. That I’ll be standing right here talking to you. ‘Bout another path. I know we loved to hit the road and laugh.” Wiz is surprised about the passing of his friend, but chose to reflect on the good memories between the two. This adds a bittersweet emotion to the passing away of an icon. The emotions combined with the images of Paul, shows that Wiz wants the viewers to remember Paul based on his signature qualities. With the close-up image of Paul and the specific lyrics, this shows that Wiz will always remember Paul based on his determination. In the second image of Wiz Khalifa sitting on the sports car, Charlie Puth is singing the chorus, “It’s been a long day without you, my friend. And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again.” The narrator is describing how the day has been rough without Paul. He can’t wait to reunite with Paul. This adds a touching and heartwarming emotion by singing about a future reunion. These lyrics combined with the image that symbolizes a funeral, provide the final good-bye to Paul. It makes the viewers feel like Paul is in a better place right now and ends with a satisfying emotion.

Through the use of camera shots, character gaze, and color contrast, the music video See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, pays tribute to Paul Walker and becomes a tug of emotions. The dark images and scenes from Paul Walker’s movies provide the depressing and sorrow emotions. While, the lyrics add some content emotions after this tragic event. The music video becomes a tribute to Paul and shows the legacy he left behind.






