Research Task - Music Video Analysis 3.

Mikill Pane – The Return of Mister Pane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wzWMWiT848

The video opens with an extreme close up shot of the artist’s shoes, following by some of his tattoos on his forearm. This focus on the artist, and star image are both forms and conventions of hip-hop music videos. However, the lyrics to the song are very different, and somewhat humble compared to the nature of the video, thus far. Extreme close up shots are used throughout the video to show many different props. These include the pay-phone that the artist appears to speak into for a period of time at the start of the video. This is quite ironic, because in a lot of hip-hop videos the artists show-off expensive gadgets such as mobile phones.

Alcohol is quite often used in many commercial hip-hop music videos. However usually the artist chooses to use Champagne, expensive spirits or another such beverage. In this video however, Pane has chosen to use a beer. This is once again going against the forms and conventions of hip-hop music videos. The location chosen to film this video is also rather peculiar. For the majority of the video Pane appears to be standing outside a Taxi/Cab office. Hip-Hop artists often choose to use luxury vehicles in their videos.

During the video, a huge variety of camera shots and camera-angles are shown. A dolly-shot is used when the artist is walking, this shot is taken from behind the artist. An example of this shot can be seen at; 1.14. A Tilt-Shot is used at 1.20 on a skeleton wearing sunglasses and a woman within the video. This enables the director to show the females clothes in full. Attractive women often feature in Hip-Hop music videos, not wearing many clothes. Instead in this video, the woman appears to be well dressed.

Returning to the use of vehicles within the video, Pane is shown riding a moped, with learner plates attached. This is in complete and utter contrast to the previously mentioned luxury cars often shown in other hip-hop music videos. I believe that it is a statement from the artist, that he is proud not to be associated with that kind of culture. Various editing techniques are shown throughout, including obvious and clear cuts between different shots of Pane, whilst he is performing his song on the street. It is also clear that the director has ensured the continuity of the video, this is sometimes known as analytical editing.

Research Task - Music Video Analysis 2.

50 Cent - Candy Shop.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRcnnId15BA


This music video uses a vast amount of iconography related to the wealth of the rapper, 50 Cent. It  is very clear that this was intended, as the opening scene, or establishing shot, features the artist arriving in a luxury sports car. The artists wealth is represented through a number of materialistic goods in the video, such as jewellery. A number of different shots and camerawork are also used. One example is the use of Low angle shots, which focus on 50 Cent. This then creates an image of him being powerful and a man of high importance. Other shots used include extreme close ups and various types of panning. These two techniques are both used on women, and draw attention to specific body parts throughout the video. In some ways, it could be said that these women are seen as an object of sex through use of such camerawork.

The concept of the ‘Male Gaze’ is often used in this video. The audience are attracted to follow the gaze of the rapper, as he looks upon the women that are surrounding him. The previously mentioned Extreme Close Up shot, focuses our attention on the artist before intensifying the star-image and the connotations of power and importance that are associated with the rapper himself. The end of the video is very different to what is likely to be expected. 50 Cent wakes up after a ‘dream’. This is a contradiction to the rest of the video. It is also noticeable that the artist is wearing many different clothes throughout the scenes, once again contributing to the image and idea of 50 Cents wealth. Many of the colours used in this video are associated with different feelings and atmospheres. One example of this are the red clothes worn by 3 of the women towards the end of the video. The colour red holds connotations of Passion and Heat.

There are possibly some intertextual references within the video. The house and general concept of the video seem to relate to the famous ‘playboy mansion’. There does not seem to be any kind of solid narrative to the video, instead the visuals seem to illustrate and amplify the lyrics and their content. In conclusion, this music video is very typical of the music’s genre, and in many ways fits the forms and conventions of such videos. Such forms and conventions are met through the use of voyeurism, which is created by focusing on the females within the video. Also, the use of iconography and the star-image are both contributing factors.  

Research Task - Music Video Analysis 1.

NWA - Express Yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u31FO_4d9TY&ob=av2e

This video begins with a narrative tone. The opening and arguably establishing shot shows us footage of the slave trade, and how black people were punished for not working ‘hard enough’. The video then shows the slaves running away, and cuts to a medium shot of the artists. The song is based around people expressing their feelings towards such matters through the use of music. This is reflected as at 00.56 a sign with the words; “No Rapping” is shown. I believe that there is a clear target audience for this music video/product. The video is aimed at young people who are from areas of poverty, who perhaps have an interest within the genre of hip-hop.

There is  focus point of the video, which is the police and authority. The video aims to show how people can rebel against authority or dictatorship. There is a link used between the opening scene of the slave trade and the police, which is horses. The slave masters used them in the opening scene and so do the police that are featured throughout the video. The horses  represent the police with the negative connotations that the slave trade brings to the video. I believe the director of the video has chosen to use this, because in the 1980’s when this track was released, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the police.

The technical operations used vary throughout the video. For example, Panning shots are used when the prison cells are shown. A high angle shot is also used during the prison cell scene, in order to show the prisoner in a vulnerbale light. Extreme close ups are also used at various points throughout the video. One example of this shot is at 1.44. I believe that this shot has been used at this point to put an emphasis on the artists sunglasses. This in some ways in conforming to the forms and conventions of Hip-Hop music videos. Low angle shots are also used, usually when the police are in the frame. This gives an effect that shows the individual police officer in a powerful light. Examples of this shot can be seen at 1:03 – 1:05.

The tone of the video could be seen as humorous, during certain scenes. From1:53, the video appears to be mocking the government, as the ‘White House’ is changed to the ‘Black House’. The props and iconography in this scene are particularly humorous, such as the jewellery which looks very out place in such a building. There are many different editing techniques shown throughout the video. These include an eye-line matching shot. This is also used in the ‘Black House’ scene of the video, and allows a sense of continuity. The artist is looking at the press, and interviewers, before a cut and we are shown the subject at hand, as if we ourselves are the artist.

The Treatment.

The scene opens with a view of the lift, inside  is the artist who is sitting on anj inflatable chair whilst playing a guitar. The inflatable chair is the main focas point of the video, and will feature throughout. During the video, a range a locations will be used. The inflatable chair will be used in all of these locations. A theme of isolation is created with the use of the chair, as the artist remains seated by himself, looking humble. The artist ventures on a both physical and metaphorical journey, through the many locations, as passers by continue their business with no regard for the character/artist. A naturalistic  tone is created due to the natural locations featured in the video. We intend for the audience of late teenagers and students to relate to the video, and feel empathetic towards the artist. The closing scene, will once again be a shot of a lift. However this time, it will show the chair deflating without the artist being present. I feel as if this will be an effective and dramatic ending to the video.

Potential Locations.

Here is a list of potential locations, that we could assign for particular lyrics in the video.

 

Graveyard

Bus station

Felixstowe ammusements/arcades

Supermarket

Beach/sea

In the street/near a busker

Shopping centre

Hospital

Forest

Roof

Next to river

Bridge

On a boat

Field of cows

Old closed down main road

Bowling alley - Solar bowl

Football pitch

Library

police station

Zebra crossing

Golf course

Drive-through

Cinema

Warehouse

Garage

Stage

Horse-Races

Shower/bath

Bank

In a lift

On TV
Filmed on a phone

Garden
Shed

Pier

Skate-park

Farm

Fairground

Waterfall

Swimming pool

Church

Temple

Pub

In a car

Docks

Garden cnetre

Bingo hall

Conveyor belt

Under the covers/in bed

Orchard

Carpark

Tip/dump

Zoo

Bouncy castle

Castle

Building site

Fitting rooms

Gym

Centre of town

Party

Airfield

Barbers' shop

Trailer

ice cream van

Near fire/Candles in a field

Wedding shop

Tattoo shop

In a lab

Escalator

Ball pool

In a tent

In a tree/treehouse

Boot of a car

Initial Ideas.

After creating various mind-maps and gathering together a number of ideas, i have shortlisted a few of the ideas that i believe have the most potential. One of theses ideas involves the use of many different locations, that would be used depending on the mood of the lyrics. The focal point of the video will be an inflatable chair that the artist will sit on, throughout these changes of location. During group disscussion, it was also put forawrd that the opening/establishing shot could be the artist sitting on the chair in a Lift. Then the last shot could the same shot, however without the artist, and the chair would be deflated. As a group we shall continue to gather ideas.