This document provides analysis of three music videos: 1) Future's "Mask Off" video uses dark settings, smoke, sunglasses, and masked men to create a sinister atmosphere emphasizing violence and issues in society. Close ups of Future singing show his wealth. 2) Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" video has a calm, peaceful tone through cinematic shots and a cold color tint. Medium close ups show Sam's emotions and identity as non-binary. Diversity of performers emphasizes equality. 3) Major Lazer's "Run Up" video shows people having fun, reinforcing the upbeat, energetic theme. Sexual activity and hippy outfits appeal to younger audiences and suit the artists'

1. Assignment 2 –
Performance Videos
JAMIE CHARTERS

2. Future – Mask Off
Dark settings and smoke
signify violence and create a
sinister ambience
Main actor is black, as rappers are
normally black nowadays. Sunglasses
create juxtaposition between
background
Violence is shown to emphasise a issue in our
society and rap songs are normally about
problems
Masked men suit the song title, and
weapons connote violence
Black men
standing on
crates
performing used
to make them
seen more
powerful that
the audience –
sense of
superiority
Convention of
black music
videos –
themes of
women and
violence.
Couter-
stereoptype of
women in this
video – not
subservient to
men
Close ups of future singing shows
his jewellery – signifies his wealth
and well being/member of black
community
Locations in black
rap videos aren’t as
nice as other
performance videos

3. Sam Smith – Stay with me
Cinematic/Establishing shots
used to set the theme of the
video – calming and peaceful as
no non-diegetic music is played
Binary opposition
between the people
shown – rich vs poor so
signify equality
Cold tint to the shots
make the video more
subtle and calming
Sam's direct address with the
audience creates unity and makes
his emotion more clear.
Medium close up
shows audience his
face with make up
on – showing off
his identity and
USP of being non-
binary.
Traditional urban background
creates realism in the video
rather than hyper reality – the
audience can relate as they
would live in similar areas, e.g.
not buzzing LA
Sam putting his head down
whilst performing reinforces that
the song is run by his emotions.
Unconventional
costume in this
music video –
Sam isn’t trying
to show off his
wealth
High Key lighting
in shots creates a
happy/calming
ambience. It also
focuses the
attention on him.
Performers with range of
ethnic diversity emphasises
equality throughout the video
/ signifies everyone is the same
Sam being in the
background suggests he
is just as important as
everybody else – creates
unity between him and his
audience

4. Major Lazer – Run Up
Master shot shows
people having fun which
reinforces the sub-genre
Sexual Activity makes the video more sexy and
appeals to younger audience(teenagers) which
are probably the largest consumers of his music.
Hippy outfits suits the artists
views and dress style. Shallow
focus also makes up concentrate
on it
Facetime
screen shows
originality and
how audience
are getting
bored of
traditional
performance
videos
Location is
modern/pleasant –
portray upper class
Red lipstick reinforces
sexiness theme to the
video and promiscuity
Nicki Minaj
USP of thick
brown hair
and pale pink
lipstick
shown
Master shots of
people dancing
reinforces the
energetic and
upbeat theme of
the song and
meaning behind it