3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2nElyx7Ds
The video starts of showing us a close up of someone crying, but then we know she is crying because a girl who she
probably knew is laying next to her dead. Then there is a close up of the women who is dead, the close up then becomes
a medium shot. The video is in black and white, and the woman is staring at the camera, and we can here sounds of
birds chirping, this effective because it gives the audience a cold feeling, we can tell that the dead woman maybe had a
hard life, a colourless life.
After this we see the dead woman sleeping and then sitting on the bench, she is wraps her self with a blanket, when
she walks off we see that she is not completely dressed, which could mean she doesn’t have money to buy clothes. From
this scene I assume she is very poor and homeless. In the background there are dead trees, maybe the meaning of
having them in the background is to show that trees are slowly dying and maybe she is. Then she walks around the
park, she looks like she is enjoying the weather, I can tell because a medium shot is used which allows us to see her
facial expression which is happiness. We can tell that this location brings her peace.
The next scene takes place in an urban area, and by the use of close ups we can see the mood has changed. She looks
depressed, hungry and weak, and I assume she is depressed because of the things she has to do for example begging.
She is probably hungry because she don’t have enough money, and she is weak because she isn’t eating enough or
regularly.
She stands near the fence and sits on the pavement begging and she see things go and come, in the editing stage the
video speed has been increased for certain amount of time. This is effective because as it shows that her life is a stand
still, no progress is made and that she is stuck in the same situation everyday. In the print screen below, the close up
allows me to assume that the woman is beginning to give up, and that she is exhausted of the life she lives. We can see
that she wants to cry as we see her eyes tearing up.
In the next scene she is getting ready and she goes to a parking lot, where a car stops next to her. At this part the Ed
Sheeran sings “sells love to another man, its too cold outside”, this is effective as the lyrics is now being explained with
the use of the video. Then she goes to his hotel room, and before anything happens she takes the money out of his
pocket, and a close up is used to show this, it is effective as it emphasizes that what she does is only for the money, as
she needs the money to survive. Yet when she is finished, she has a sad, dead facial expression. We then see her buy
drugs with money she just earned, and she goes into her room and commits suicide by inhaling too much. I assume she
gave up, and that she couldn’t take anymore. What makes the ending so effective is that close ups are used and we see
what she does and what she prepares, and her serious face.
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA
The generic codes and conventions in the Thriller video is much different from what you would usually see in its around the time that it was released as the
costume designs and amount of performers in the video are significantly different. As celebrities are usually known for being the fashion icons of this world, the
costume design of Michael Jackson’s red suit stood out from the rest as it was much more unique and eye-catching then others. Furthermore as this was a pop
music video the amount of performers being in sync and dancing to the same moves was at a larger scale, making the video much more entertaining and
matchless.
The relationship between sound and camera have been used in an unusual way, for example scenes such as the graveyard coming to life mixed with a voiceover
mood, giving added depth to the track, this particular scene makes the whole video seem like a horror film as the voiceover explains what is going on and it gives
the video a gothic and horror theme at the same time.
Additionally the use of camera shots and angels is varied, in the beginning of the video we start off with a long shot / tracking shot of Michael Jackson and the
actress, this allows us to see costume design and body language of the two, the actress in the video is shown to be fashionable and glamorous as the high-heels
and coat/jeans which is stereotypical for a female.
The video also features aspects of horror costumers and characters that are depicted in this to be superior and important; by having rapid zoom in and low angle
close-up shots it is straight-forward to the audience that this is a visual change in the leads characters appearance which has a dramatic relevance to the lyrics
on of the song giving emphasises that this is a ‘scary’ video. We also encounter many long shots in this video as well thus allowing the video to give a much
greater visual impact as the audience can see the mise-en-scene in the video such as the gothic settings of graveyards and deserted houses.
There are many low angle shots of the zombies in the video which shows them to be superior as they are chasing Michael and the actress; this helps us to
understand that they are isolated and venerable to them.
The intertextuality included in this video such as the evil laugh and American ware wolf also signifies the theme of the video as a ‘horror film’. Lastly this
particular video is narrative, concept and performance based mixing up all elements of music videos appealing to a much wider audience and giving much more
to see and admire by the viewer. The choreographed dance performance is an iconic routine of Michael Jackson and can be seen in any of his music videos,
additionally the horror aspect gives it a concept as well as the beginning scene of Michael Jackson with the woman adding a narrative.
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0
The video shows a real life situation and is a realistic view of the world. The video shows a realistic view so
the audience can further understand the meaning and message in the song. The artist portrayed reality in
the video so the audience can apply the meaning of the song to real life situations. The video fits into pop
culture today because more artists are starting to express their opinions on gay rights.
A stereotype that is displayed in the video is that straight men are against gay marriage. This stereotype is
displayed when the gay couple walked by the straight couple holding hands when the straight man made an
offensive comment to the gay couple as they passes each other on the side walk.
The value statement the video is expressing is that everyone should have equal rights and that people should
be able to love who they are and to be themselves. In the video, conservative parents are portrayed as closed
minded. However, the parents are accepting of their sons lifestyle at the end of the music video.
The video is an affective way to sell the song because it portrays a clear message of what the song is about. It
also shows the artists beliefs about gay marriage. The target audience for the video is older teenagers. The
video appeals to the audience because I have found that Macklemore fans are generally open minded and
accepting. Therefore the video and song would appeal to the artists audience because they wouldn't generally
have an issue with gay marriage. The video fits the song well because it supports the message the song
intended on portraying to the audience.
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrUvu1mlWco
The beginning of the video starts with a close up of Miley, this suggest that the video if there to promote her new image as well as her new single. The bold yellow
writing re-emphasises this point and promotes the artist. Therefore we can deduct that her image is what will sell the video and song. Contrasting to the previous
shot of Miley, the lighting and mise-en-scene of the costume and walls is dark and disrupted by the fog. It emphasises the promotion of Miley as the shots she's not
featured in, are dark and ambiguous whereas the shots with Miley in are bright and bold.
The inclusion of the two shot, shows a typical scenario of a couple at a party. It also links to the representation of Mileys new image of rebelliousness and sex appeal.
Again the shot is darker and looks more like footage from a party. An unconventional image of roasting marshmallows relates more to the youth culture. The
inclusion of lighters relates to Mileys image, however it is made more innocent through the bright colours and the use of marshmallows.
Again another close up is used to display the events at this party . A food is contorted into a skull which could signify death, rebellion or toxic substances. The
symbolism within Mileys video is supressed to an extent as she is trying to rid her old image without being to explicit. The medium shot of Miley allows the audience
to see her provocative pose and dancing. The setting of the shot and outfit is all white which highlight her face and tattoos. Conforming to the genre of music again,
Miley sheds her good girl image.
The slow editing of the knife being drawn across the fingers hints towards violence and a issue within youth culture. The video is extremely relatable to the younger
generation as issues featured are extremely relevant. The pink liquid mimicking blood is seen as humorous and a joke. The image is also kept to one side of the
frame in order to create the contrast between the white and pink liquid. Another pun is made with the dancing teddy bears. The long shot highlights Miley at the
front and central of the frame, relating to Carlson’s commercial exhibitionist. The innocence is taken out of the bears due to the dancing and relation to the rest of
the video. It highlights the rejection of Mileys old image and welcoming the new.
Direct mode of address is used in order for Miley to connect with the audience. Her sultry look paired with the red lips emphasises her lusty image. The made up
hair, tattoos and gold jewellery are conventional to R&B/Pop. The contrast in this medium shot between the blue of the water and black of the swimsuit and glasses
show the corruption of the party and edginess of Mileys image. The censored tag also physically shows the more explicit imagery Mileys music video contains.
Slow motion and normal passed editing is used in order to keep in time with the slow beat of the song. Frantic images are made to look more conformed and less
eccentric. However there are a variety of different settings and scenarios that are edited together to create the one party. A variety of shots are used in order to
highlight key themes within the music video and market Mileys new image. For instance a lot of close up shots are used to present Miley to the audience and her
new attitude. Long shots are used to present the scene and the party vibe to the audience.
Goodwin's theory of disjuncture applies to this video as the lyrics have little relation to what is happening on screen. Shores theories of simulated experience,
anesthetization of violence through chic, adolescent male fantasies and immediate gratification can be applied to We Cant stop. This demonstrates its social currency
and relation to youth culture.
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNTyfVh3nmU
The song and video are centred around one consistent and clear concept, which is
something that the director did very well, Climax. The narrative for this video is
quite vague, either on purpose, or more likely, from a failing of the director. My
reading of this text is that Usher comes home to find that his girlfriend is seeing
another man and sits in his car going through the various options he can take.
Option one is to have sex with her, option two is to go in and shoot the man,
option three is to take the girl and drive head on into the man’s SUV. In the end
Usher decides to just drive away, ending the music video. The video also features
a large amount of close-ups of Usher’s face so we concentrate on the artist.
One of the conventions of an R&B music is that the video is in sepia or greyscale,
which is something that this video has. The reason this is done is to give the slow
song more emotion through the colours. Another effect this has is that it brings a
hint of realism to the video, enticing the audience more.
Another convention of an R&B music video that this song possesses is the scene in
which Usher is topless. This is an almost certainty for male artists in R&B
8. You can get a clearer idea about the meaning of the song
There can be different interpretations of each music video
There are different types of music videos
They can be mini films e.g. Michael Jackson
They promote the song and the artist
They often have repeatability
Artists can express themselves in different ways
It is a chance to build a new image e.g. Justin Bieber
9. 1. Deconstruction theory – This tries to
add to audience pleasure by making
a point of breaking down the way that
a text has been put together into its
genre paradigms. By breaking the
texts down, you are explaining it, so
you enhance the experience. With
many music videos, a TV show called
pop up video deconstructed music
videos with pop up display. (E.g. pop
up video – REM Everybody Hurts).
2. Auteur theory – This is a way of explaining
media texts by looking at work of specific
directors. (E.g. Mirrorball).
10. 1. Music videos are seen as corrupting because of the way that they are exploiting
children.
2. Some media critics believe that music videos take away an individuals freedom
to interpret a song for themselves.
3. Music videos are just adverts.
4. They are also seen as inauthentic, because they are just a mimed performance
to a song.
5. It is very difficult to know the best way to make sense of some music videos.
Some critics view them as disposable pop culture. Others see them as visual art
and some view them as pornography whereas others view them as a form of
cinema.
