1. Camera shot, angle and
movement
Ordinary to extraordinary
“Redemption Days” by Josh Osho
2. This long shot of an estate portrays the taking from ordinary to extraordinary.
There is high-key lighting and everything is in focus, the sun makes the estate
look more aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore the camera pans the estate to
emphasize its importance and brilliance. It is a typical convention of this music
video for the camera to pan. In addition the sun shining despite the presence of
clouds and connote a brighter horizon which is a central message of the song.
Camera shot, angle and movement
3. The depth of field is purposefully large. The woman is placed in the middle of the frame
so that the rest of the kitchen and it’s appliances can be seen. A link is instantly
established with the woman and the kitchen. Although a lot of the lighting is low key and
apparently bleak a filter is added that can be seen at the top right hand side of the frame
and also on her face. This itself makes the ordinary (and even the woman herself) seem
extraordinary; also a central message of the song.
4. The woman is placed to the left of the frame and the MCU shot allows us to see
the woman and the ‘French Products’ store behind her. Therefore the audience
can presume that there is a link between the woman and the store as the store
is not out of focus. The panning of the camera again infers brilliance in the
woman’s normality as a working class human being.
5. Even simply leaving his car is turned from ordinary to extra ordinary. The man and
the car share the same frame. The car reflects the sunlight so its aesthetic values are
exaggerated. He has big dreams and has achieved a fashionable car pursuing them;
he is a living representation of how ‘Redemption’ is for everybody.
6. Crane Shot
Crane shots are used constantly as a
transition technique. Often the shot will
‘crane’ to the sky which connotes themes of
reflection, deep thought and hope. These
are central messages in the song.
The Crane Shot is used here to first allow the
audience to view the surroundings, there is a build up
to the singer’s part. This helps to emphasize the
singer’s personality as he is shown to have a profound
connection with his surroundings. Also the singer is
almost omnipresent throughout the song, when the
featuring artist’s part ends the audience may be
looking forward to seeing the main artist again; the
crane shot helps build this suspense.
7. The video explores the full spectrum of age and class in the neighborhood it is set in. A
contrast between high key lighting and low key lighting can be seen in these stills; such as
partial lighting in predominantly dark settings. The presence of this light signifies to the
audience that we are all the same no matter our background and we all have the same
opportunity for ‘redemption’.
-Half light, half shadow- there is more to
them than meets the eye.
-The child is ‘behind bars’. Crime is likely to be a problem in the area, it
affects the youth. The graffiti in the background signifies the genuine
beauty.
She does not smile, she represents the real struggle of
youth in her are. The fact he sits outside her house may
also connote problems at home. However the song still
promises her a bright future.
Genuine happiness in those
usually portrayed as ‘thugs’ in
the media
Multicoloured stripey background, more
than meets the eye (again)
Older man, low key lighting the darkest setting;
deliberate filter; there is hope in darkness, sign of
the cross.
Kitchen low key lighting, she does not find
fulfilment in the kitchen but there is hope still
Happiness in youth, high key lighting, full of
hope
8. Selling Josh Osho
• After watching “Redemption Days” by Josh Osho the central message is evident from the very start, the video wishes to
highlight the struggles of everyday people and the importance in persistence. Josh Osho himself was born in Tooting, South
London. Redemption Days is a personal song, the title itself holds deep meaning to the singer himself. His becoming a singer
is described by The Guardian as “karmic reward for all the suffering Osho has endured in his short life.” Having ‘slept rough’
and gotten ‘badly beaten up’ the transition from such a low position in life to a heightened degree of happiness it is no
surprise that this became one of his main selling points.
• Redemption Days explores the hierarchy of society, focusing mainly on those in lower classes. Throughout the song the
camera almost refuses to leave Osho’s side, returning to him after every 2-3 seconds of another cut (usually portraying some
essence of lower class life). This itself establishes the link between Osho and the lower classes; who are arguably most
susceptible to depression.
• The central message is not pity but perseverance. One shot that emphasizes this is the shot with him and his car in the
frame; it connotes that he has achieved success in his life but has only done that from first experiencing bouts of failure and
then undergoing redemption.
• His personality comes through as bubbly and passionate. The fact that he speaks from experience creates a profound
authenticity in his message; allowing audiences to hold a deeper level of respect.
• Osho was raised by a religious family and attended church two times a week. The establishing shots of buildings with the sun
shining in the background is almost biblical in itself. The song is deeply emotional and Osho himself acts like a medium
between the song and the audience; and being a medium with experience amplifies the effect.
