Pop analysis A2 media

1. POP MUSIC VIDEO
ANALYSIS
• Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars
• Love on top – Beyoncé
• Superbass – Nicki Minaj
Holly Corden

2. UPTOWN FUNK
SOUND
The only sound is the song.
MISE-EN-SCENE
Lighting
There is natural lighting for most parts of the video as it is filmed outside. Towards the end of the video the
lighting changes as the filming is taken inside; the lighting is then disco lights and predominantly the colours
blue and red. There is also strobe lighting effect at the very end.
Costume
The costuming gives the effect that the ‘actors’ are cool due to the accessories used such as gold chains and
casual shirts, but also makes them look smart as they are wearing suit jackets and smart shoes. The
costumes are intended to match the overall feel of the music.
EDITING
The editing is mostly straight cuts. At the ending there is fast cut editing which gives the effect of a
stroboscope. This makes the video more interesting. This effect is also featured at the very beginning.
CAMERA WORK
The camera is mostly close-ups and mid-shots to show the choreography, the setting and the singer. Close-ups
are also used to show lip syncing. There are other shots including such as camera spins, this makes the video
more interesting and keeps the audience engaged and fits in with the typical expectations of a pop music
video as we mostly see the singing and dancing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

3. LOVE ON TOP
SOUND
The sound is predominantly the song with a voiceover of cheering (appearing to be from the actors) at the
ending – mostly stereotypical for a pop music video.
MISE-EN-SCENE
Lighting
There is bright, natural lighting at the beginning but the lighting changes with straight cuts and with the
costume changes. The lighting changes to match the costume colours; white & gold. The lighting gives a
spotlight effect to show the choreography.
Costume
At the beginning the costume is casual dance costume, aside from Beyoncé who appears glamorous as she
has a jewel encrusted hat. There is 3 costume changes throughout; all of which uphold the ‘glamour’ of the
video as they are smart, and feature sequins/jewels. This keeps the audience engaged.
EDITING
The cuts are mostly straight cuts from scene to scene. At the ending there is a very obvious straight cut, this
gives the effect that they are ‘back to reality’ as is shows the dancers all in their original, casual dance clothes.
CAMERA WORK
The camera angles are mostly close-ups and mid-shots. This shows the choreography and lip syncing. There
are also very close-ups of Beyoncé. This is typical for a pop music video as it is mainly the singing and dancing
we get to see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob7vObnFUJc

4. SUPERBASS
SOUND
The only sound is the song, this is expected as it is a pop music video.
MISE-EN-SCENE
Lighting
There are many different lighting features in the video; bright lighting, spot lighting, strobe lighting and
ultraviolet lights. These different lighting effects keep the audience engaged as also are expected as Nicki
Minaj is known for her eccentricity. It also allows there to also be something going on in the video.
Costume
The costumes are mostly pink, skimpy and eccentric. This is another thing to be expected in a Nicki Minaj
video but also in a female pop video.
There is a big use of props in the video, one of which being speakers. This gives the impression to the
audience that this is where the music is coming from and could appear quite interesting.
EDITING
There are mostly straight cuts used in the music video. Towards the end there is multiple fast straight cuts,
this adds an aspect of interest to the video. There is a slow-motion effect, this indicates importance but also
adds an interesting aspect to the video which keeps the audience engaged.
CAMERA WORK
As in most pop music videos, the camera angles are mostly close-ups and mid-shots to show lip syncing,
choreography and in this particular video, facial expressions and the male dancers bodies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwQ8MpwB-Pw

5. ALBUM COVERS
• Rihanna – Unapologetic
• Beyoncé – 4
• Nicki Minaj – Roman Reloaded

6. RIHANNA - UNAPOLOGETIC
This album cover has many of
the stereotypical conventions of
a pop album. The image is
central to the cover and displays
the artist of the album. Typically
for a female artist she appears
unclothed. The lighting of the
image appears high key
although is quite difficult to tell
as the image is obviously edited.
The image is covered in writing
– key words which relate to the
album and the music produced
within the album. The album
title stands out reasonably as it
appears to be over the top of a
black scribble.

7. BEYONCE - 4
The album cover clearly displays
the artist, the artists name and
the title of the album; all of
which are the typical
conventions of a pop album
cover. The image is in high key
lighting and central to the
album cover. The artist is
typically underdressed which is
to be expected from a pop
album – especially of a female
artist. The image gives the
impression that the album is
potentially mature with its
musical content as the singer
clearly appears to be pulling a
sultry pose. The album could
quite easily (from looking at the
album cover alone) fit into
multiple genres, yet has all the
typical conventions of a pop
album.

8. NICKI MINAJ – ROMAN RELOADED
This album cover is very
stereotypical for a pop album
cover. There is a central image
of the artist and the name of the
artist and album title are clearly
displayed. There are many bright
colours used on the album
cover. This gives the audience
an impression that the album is
‘fun’ which is the typical
expectation from a pop album.
Quite unusually, the image only
displays the artist’s face – this
could be to possibly try to alter
the audiences opinion on the
singer or pop singers in general
or so the album would reach a
further audience as isn’t
remotely explicit.