1. I have firstly analysed Holy Grail by Jay Z and Justin Timberlake. The music
genre to this is Hip Hop and Rap, this isn’t the genre that I am interested in
making a music video in, however it proved useful to analyse.
Firstly the music video used technical conventions as guns and jewellery
are used which present the gangster feeling which is typical to the genre.
The location used shows
affluence which is typical of
this genre, as well as this it also
mystery as dark lighting is used
in the location which makes us
feel slightly scared. The clothes
that both Justin Timberlake
and Jay Z wear also show
affluence, they wear suits
which can be seen as smart
however this shows they are business like which can also back the gangster
stereotype. Jay Z wears a thick chain typical convention of the rap genre as
males often wear 'bling' to show their wealth.
Many shots show the artists in close ups this shows emotion in the artist
and also helped us identify with them. This is typical of most music videos
as us as an audience want to identify with people and feel closer to the
artists, other shots allow us to feel this as the use of over the shoulder shots
make us feel as though we are near them.
Most of the footage is performance shots
which shows the popularity of the artists.
Additionally there is intertextuality used as Jay Z is a text outside the music
video as he is seen as a hard, gangster figure whereas Justin Timberlake,
also a text outside of the video, is seen as a more innocent figure. This is an
effect on both of their texts as they show each other in different lights.
Finally intertextuality is again used with
religion as there are connotations of
religion used, when Justin Timberlake is
first introduced into the music video there
is a god like shot of him following this there

2. are women under white cloths which look like ghosts which is a typical
connection to religion. There are also references to the Holy Grail which is
show as a cup. As well as the setting that is used which has a church like
feel due to the high ceilings and low lighting used.
Moreover, in this music video there is a link between the visuals and the
lyrics that are used, the term Holy Grail is used and then a cup is shown. As
well as this during the first verse Jay Z sings "and we are all just
entertainers" which then cuts to a shot of the televisions in stacks showing
performance shots which clearly
links. As well as this there are links
between the music and the editing,
this also happens with the lights as
the lights flash on the beat when also
the visuals change.
Finally, this music has no clear narrative. However, it is largely concept
based and even though there are random parts to the music video all parts
are able to link together such as the ghost like women link to the
intertextuality of religion.