2. Conventions used
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
The generic conventions of a music video are
followed by this music video by the Weeknd. The
artists of slow R&B music videos tend to be the focal
point of the video, often talking about themes of love
and relationships. They convey this by appearing
and performing in their music video. In this case, the
Weeknd is performing to an actual audience in
which there are many close-ups of his face when
singing which emphasises his emotions. However, it
then has the occasional cuts to show the reactions
of the different people from the crowd he is singing
to. The close ups also emphasise and reflect the
lyrics of the song with the movement of the lips of
the Weeknd.
Dj Khaled - I’m the One
This video also follows generic conventions of a
music video. However, compared to the Weeknd's
video it much more lively and party-like which is
more common in fast R&B music videos. However,
it does still feature the artist or in this case several
artists who sing along to the song as well. It is set in
one location which is a mansion. The people are
shown in flashy and animated clothing with props
such as bottles of alcohol. It also includes many
females in minimal clothing which provide a
provocative feeling. All of this gives the audience an
idea of the lavish and expensive lifestyle of these
famous music artists. All of this follows the
conventions of the R&B genre that are fast paced.
3. Camerawork
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
It uses several camera shots, movements and
angles, most notably majority of them involve
the use of close-ups of the Weeknd's face and
various people from the audience. The use of
close-ups exaggerates the facial expressions
which convey the emotional state of the subject
in this case the Weeknd and the people in the
audience. Many of them having a fixed, glaring
expression towards the Weeknd which convey
their disgust towards him.
DJ Khaled - I’m the one
This also uses several camera shots,
movements and angles however they are a lot
more varied compared to the Weeknd. It uses
more medium to long shots to show the girls and
the place. It also uses pan and tilt movements
throughout the video. For example, tilting from
the sky to the artists lip syncing to the song.
4. Editing
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
Generally the music video is slow paced with
shots lasting for some time like at the start with
the close-up of the Weeknd singing lasting for
44 seconds until it changes to a long shot. Also,
it uses simple jump cuts to change from one
shot to another. In this case, reverse shots are
used between the Weeknd singing on stage and
different people from the audience to emphasise
their relationship. Then there is an explosion
effect at the end of the music video which ends
it on a very high note.
DJ Khaled - I’m the one
This music video begins with fades and is quite
fast paced with the shots lasting for only around
1-2 seconds. It then just uses simple jump cuts
between all the people dancing.
5. Genre
The Generic Conventions of the R&B genre:
● Mise-en-scene:
- Props - fast rnb songs: expensive alcohol, cars, drugs
- Costumes - tend to be quite colourful and flashy, females in minimal clothing with
accompanying accessories such as high heels and expensive jewellery, males wear designer
clothing
- Setting - in the club to show them in a powerful light
- Lighting - low key lighting for slow rnb songs, high-key lighting for fast rnb songs
The Weeknd
- low-key lighting, spotlight on the Weeknd
- casual clothing (all blacked out)
- bar
- microphone, drinks, tables
DJ Khaled
-high key lighting
-clothes are flashy and colourful with many of the
girls in minimal clothing
-set in Khaled’s mansion
-ciroc alcohol, cigarettes
6. Narrative
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
The music video begins with the Weeknd
coming up to the microphone and he starts
singing into it. He then becomes more energetic
and moves around. The people in the audience
are not impressed with the exception of one
woman who gazes at the Weeknd. One person
throws a drink at him but he still continues. But
then a guy throws a match and set him alight.
The whole place becomes energetic with
everyone dancing. The Weeknd then leaves the
bar still on fire.
DJ Khaled - I’m the one
DJ Khaled and other various artists are having a
party with many girls. There is no clear,
significant narrative being displayed.
Justin's chorus seems to be about a guy telling a
girl that he's "the one" for her and that she
shouldn't be intimidated by him. However,
Quavo's, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne
seem to have different opinions about the girls
chasing them, with a few suggestions that the
ladies in question are after their fame and
money.
7. Performance
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
The Weeknd begins with walking up to a
microphone and starts singing the song, looking
directly at the viewer. He then becomes very
energetic and starts moving on the spot. Then at
the end he comes out the bar on fire.
DJ Khaled - I’m the one
The video comprises of the artists and the
various girls dancing around the mansion and
drinking alcohol and smoking.
8. Representation
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
The Weeknd is represented as an upbeat and
energetic person with his constant moving
around on stage and singing directly to the
viewer. This conveys the passionate feeling he
has and in the context of the lyrics of the songs
relates to the idea of being addicted to drugs
which is personified and likened to that of the
love of a woman, hence the woman in the video
being the only not reacting negatively toward his
performance but rather seemingly enjoying it.
DJ Khaled - I’m the one
They are represented as having fun and
enjoying life. This is through their happy hand
gestures and flirtatious nature towards the many
provocative women surrounding them.
9. Institutions
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
The Weeknd is currently signed to the record
label XO which he established himself officially
in 2012. He has a distribution deal with Republic
Records which manufacture and distribute any
albums released by XO. Universal Music Group
(UMG) is the parent company of both XO and
Republic Records.
DJ Khaled - I’m the one
DJ Khaled is currently signed to the record label
Epic Records which is a subsidiary of Sony
Music Entertainment. Khaled also founded his
own record label in 2008 called We the Best
Music Group which acts as an imprint of Epic
Records.
10. Values and Ideology
The Weeknd - Can’t feel my face
It can be derived from the video that it is
emulating the workings of the music industry. At
first, you work hard but get no recognition.
However, when you are chosen from the elite
you instantly become a hit with the masses. This
is evident in the video in which the crowd at first
hates the Weeknd’s performance however when
the man throws the lighter everyone starts
getting up and dancing even though it is the
same song that they were hating before.
DJ Khaled - I’m the one
It can be derived from the video that its core
value is what DJ Khaled said right at the
beginning which is ‘celebrating life’ and
embracing our blessings that have been
provided for us in this case the many girls
dancing around.
