Analysis Task for give it away by the rhcp

1. Callum Kilgarriff
Task 1: Choose 1 music video
State Title/Artist/Genre/Style
Use the following boxes detailing Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements, to analyse the text:
Genre elements Conventions
Characters –
representations,
stereotypes, behaviour,
body language, specific
actors/stars
The characters are the band themselves, dressed in a tribal fashion.
The lead singer is easily identified as he is often the focus of the
video, generally being involved in close up shots whereas the rest of
the band are simply either dancing or playing their instruments in
medium or long shots. They are visibly out of control, their costumes
representing satanic rituals and masculinity through the fact that
they are shirtless and wearing horns and unconventional make-up.
Narrative events –how
is the narrative
ordered and
structured?
It is a very fragmented narrative, opting for a more conceptual,
elliptical approach, focusing on the overall theme of the video rather
than an internal narrative that breaks away from the song
Iconography – props,
symbolic codes
The iconography is the use of the guitar, which is synonymous with
the alternative rock genre, the tribal clothing is representative of
masculinity, which is a fervent theme of the video. As well as this,
Anthony uses a lot of sexual innuendos and provocative dance
movements, which are also an icon of heavy rock music.
Setting- mise en scene
The setting is very vague, being set in what appears to be an open
desert landscape, this represents a western genre feel, which in itself
represents a very masculine theme
Technical and audio
codes – camera use,
editing, lighting,
diegetic/non diegetic
sound, sfx
The lyrics in the song are very explicit and indicate a metaphoric
approach to male libido in the video. The editing and camera work is
very choppy and fast paced to put emphasis on the nightmarish and
sporadic imagery.
Task 2: Now write up your analysis, using screen grabs from the video to illustrate your points. (800-
1200 words)
Task 3. Create your Advanced Portfolio Blog in blogger and email me your URL. Call the blog Your
Name: Advanced Portfolio

2. Callum Kilgarriff
In the music video for 'Give It Away' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lacey's repertoire of
elements is used to illustrate and emphasise the theme of masculinity and labido portrayed
by the band members.
The first of Lacey's repertoire of elements used in 'Give It Away' is the portrayal of
character. The only characters shown throughout the video are the band members Anthony
Keidis, John Frusciante, Flea and Chad Smith, who
are dressed in vivid tribal outfits and use an array of
strange dance moves throughout. Their simplistic
and minimalist approach to their choice of clothing
is used to represent a fervent stereotype of the
male form, reminiscent of cavemen and tribal
warriors. Their dancing, particularly Anthony's, is
very sexualised almost to the point of extreme,
using strange dance moves to represent the
stereotypical masculine labido.
In terms of narrative structure, the video is very vague and metaphoric. The video itself
doesn't follow any sort of narrative or story, but is rather a metaphor for the portrayal of
masculinity and male idealism through nightmarish and sexualistic choreography. The
narrative of the video, then, can be viewed as the fulfilment of male sexual desire through
innuendo and vague metaphoric body language.
The third element present is the use of iconography, namely props, costume and vivid
imagery. Props and costume are used in a similar way to the character element, in that they
present the audience with a stereotype of masculinity whilst also representing the genre of
music. As mentioned, the minimalistic tribal
clothing reinforces the stereotypical image of
the simplistic, almost neanderthal, masculine
form, with the group opting to go bear-chested
and wear their hair in a tribalistic
fashion. As well as this, Anthony is also
shown in a couple of scenes to be wearing a
particularly revealing pair of pants and
rubbing his bare legs, displaying a vivid

3. Callum Kilgarriff
indication of the sexual labido that the band are trying to imply. In terms of the nightmarish
aspect of the iconography, Chad and Flea are both wearing horns and spines, conveying an
almost satanic image that is typical of the abstract alternative genre that the band fits into.
The use of guitars and drums is also a clear indication of the rock genre.
The setting of the scene is another element
which portrays the ideals of masculinity,
albeit through a more metaphoric
implication. The whole video is played on the
backdrop of a vast barren desert,
reminiscent of the western genre of films
such as The Good The Bad and The Ugly.
These films in themselves represented
masculinity, whereby women were only ever
side characters to the brawn, tough and
intelligent male protagonists. This therefore
implies the same of the characters portrayed in the music video. Similarly, the barren
wilderness of the scenery further emphasises the tribalistic view of the group.
The final element is that of the technical features apparent in the video, the main being the
use of music and in particular the nature of the lyrics. Sang by the 'protagonist' of the video,
Anthony Kiedis, the lyrics portray a very explicit and sexually implied view point of
masculinity. With lines such as ' what I've got you've gotta get it put it in you' and 'love is
free, love me, say hell yes' , Kiedis is explicitly expressing his male sexual labido, using
obvious references to link in with the aforementioned sexualised choreography and imagery.
The editing is fast paced and choppy, using an array of cuts and transitions to put emphasis
on the nightmarish and unrelenting metaphoric imagery, which is also supported by the use
of camera techniques such as zooms and close-ups that disorientate the viewer and create a
strange experience.
In conclusion, Lacey's repertoire of elements are used in 'Give It Away' to portray
stereotypical views of masculinity and male sexuality through vivid imagery and choregraphy
paired with explicit use of character and lyrical expression.

4. Callum Kilgarriff