Media Studies

Music Video Analysis

Bruno Mars- ‘Just the way you are’

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

Relationship between the visuals and the lyrics:

Throughout the video, the lyrics are constantly being reinforced in the audience’s mind through the use of visuals, such as the ones shown above. The lyrics in the song talk about how perfect this one girl is and how she’s amazing ‘just the way’ she is. The artists constant flattery and bold emotions are shown in the shots above. The love between the pair is apparent through their body language (their closeness, the touching, their smiling) which reinforce every lyric that is spoken, such as ‘She's so beautiful and I tell her every day.’ By the artists directly relating what is being portrayed in the video with the lyrics is adds a narrative aspect to the video and allows the audience to grasp the meaning behind the song better. Moreover, some audience members may be more attracted to either the visual or the lyrical side of the song so by offering them both, the video is targeting all areas of their target market, and the attitudes/ values they have when watching a music video. These ideas directly relate to Goodwin’s theories of connection between the visuals and the lyrics and suggest that perhaps this video follows the stereotype more than first thought. This video has strong representations of love and affection which are portrayed strongly through the visuals and the lyrics, making Goodwin’s theory even more relevant to this video and amplify their importance more. All these factors help create a succesfully bold and apparent mise-en-scene and allow the viewer to fell what the artist and actor are. You feel involved and part of the action being had.

Mise-En-SceneThroughout the video, it can be seen on screen that the pair featured are a couple, very much in love and besotted by each other. This creates a mise-en-scene of love and affection but also the value of relationships in society and how they are represented in the media. The sense of relationships being ‘perfect’ is strongly represented in this video and through the mise-en-scene and portrays to the audience that their relationship can be perfect as well, perhaps through listening to this song- escaping to the media world of a video from reality can offer the audience a form of escapism from their lives and for a short while into the lives of those who they aspire to be like. The overall setting of the video –loft apartment- is something that the viewer may aspire and value to have/ own themselves, heightening the element of escapism that the mise-en-scene and the video have on the audience. This relates to Goodwin’s theory of genre characteristics and reinforces the mise-en-scene that’s created.

This image shows a different aspect to the mise-en-scene of this video which is the fact that it offers the audience a visually unusual way of the artist being represented- thus showing to the audience a twisted sense of escapism into a world that totally different and unique to reality. This again relates to Goodwin and his theories. This creates a mise-en-scene that’s exciting and appealing to target audience and they will be viewing the artists in a way that’s not usually portrayed, again, emphasising the excitement of the video and the different style that it has in these areas. Moreover, the colour gradient used in this show, and throughout the video connotes warmth and security –pale colours, warm browns. This also helps to show the love and affection between the two protagonists. This is further reinforces by the sun seeping in through the windows- symbolising hope and purity.

Camera ShotsThe video features a lot of close-ups of the artist. This could have been for many different reasons, the main one being that the record company and the artists himself wants to be recognised as much as possible by his target audience and possibly, future audiences. This is so that he can built up a reputation, gain fans, and obviously make as much money as possible. In terms of the video aspect, the close-ups may have been used to offer a different point of view on what’s happening. When viewing the artist, we are viewing him from the eyes of the lady featured, which puts the audience in her shoes and could further allow them to personally identify with how she is feeling and how his emotions are being portrayed. However, this also relates to Goodwin’s theory that women are objectified. By viewing the artist from her eyes, it puts him in control, and suggests that she’s only to be looked at my him, as a possession. Moreover, it also makes the audience feel like they could perhaps be her, allowing them escapism from their own lives but also its makes them feel as though they can really personally identify with the song more if they feel they are a part of it/ connected.

The video also features a lot of over the shoulder shots. This could have been done for multiple reasons as well, one being that, like the close ups, its offers a different perspective on what’s happening in the video. It allows us to view things from a distance, rather than being in the same position as the artist or the actor. By doing this it adds to the narrative perspective of the video as it allows us sit back and watch the action rather than being involved in it, which means we can get more ideas as to the feeling of each person, rather than constantly relating to the one person we can personally identify with from the off. The use of the over-the-shoulder shots are a common TV drama convention- used for continuality- so that the conversation looks authentic and real. Shots like these add to the mise-en-scene of the ‘love story’ as we can clearly see the emotion and feelings of the characters and also know their feelings through the lyrics, body language and stereotypes. The use of the over-the-shoulder shots are a common TV drama convention, meaning that they are used for continuity. This allows it to seem like the conversation is authentic and real. All these shots link to Goodwin’s theories and his idea that there are obvious links between the music and the visuals- the conversation.

Iconography Within this video, and others that Bruno has featured within - such as ‘Billionaire’ - he has been portrayed in a way that contrast the stereotype for his genre style of artist. This could be one of his ways to attract a wider audience, or simply to break stereotypes and show that everyone if different. Stereotypically, R&B singers/artists are portrayed as quite self-centred, arrogant and are constantly surrounded by visual aspects of their wealth and power they have- for example, 50 Cent with ‘Candy Shop’ shows him surrounded by women, sitting on expensive cars and covered in diamonds. However, Bruno’s star image is of someone who’s not that different form us, genuine and is chilled and relaxed with everything that he does- he flows through life rather than pushing his way through. By doing this, it makes him more relatable and easy to connect with as he isn’t that different from everyone else and especially his fans. He seems to have the same values and aspirations as they do, which makes it even easier for his target audience to vicariously view him in his videos and relate to his lyrics and inner thoughts and emotions that are shown in the messages in his songs/videos.

Swedish House Mafia –

One (Your Name) feat Pharrell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxuEl8qkErs

Music video style/ iconography

Goodwin’s theory of genre characterises is realty shown throughout this video and it’s made very clear from the start which genre this video is from, using Goodwin’s ideas to help. Every music video has it’s own particular style, which relates to the genre that the artist works in. For example, heavy rock or metal bands always feature a live performance in their videos as it’s part of their star quality that they can play their own instruments and appeal to the audience by showing that they can perform live, which a big part of their target audience will appreciate. With dance videos, they tend to feature a gig, party or rave and there isn’t as strong a focus on the actual artist themselves. This is because, the stereotype for a dance video focuses more on the ‘party lifestyle’ and the beat of the song is more important than the lyrics, as they will usually be played in a club.

With this video, the beat of the song is focused on a lot and is even visually represented through the playing of a techno piano- linking to Goodwin’s theory and how the visuals and the lyrics have a relationship between them.This allows the audience to immediately recognise the genre of the song and they can then start personally identifying with the attitudes and values that are presented in the video- such as the party, the crazy attitudes and the ‘night life.’ Another big feature of dance videos is that they tend to be in the dark a lot of the time and emphasised by strobe lights, glow sticks and other party essentials. This again reinforces the fact that it’s a dance video and allows the audience to watch it vicariously through their own personal experiences. With the limited features of the artist being present and the use of the dark it adds to the mystery of the whole video, the confusion and the ‘drama’ that come with every party, stereotypically.

Relationships between the music and the visuals

The first relationship between the music and the visuals is the use of the piano at the start of the video, when the beat first kicks in. by doing this is allows the audience to both see and here what’s going on and paints a clear picture as to what the video will entail as it unfolds. Also, by the keyboard and surrounding area being highly lit, it immediately shows the audience that the video will be upbeat. This is then reinforced by the starting of the beat behind the track, being stereotypically like all other music videos; starting with a single beat and developing as the song progresses on. The next shot which I have choosen is one of the eye, with the lyrics within the pupil. This shot is used when the beat of the song is quieter and the lyrics are of main focus- evidently, the song is a lot slower and more calm, thus by using eye, blinking slowly, the reinforces this fact in the audiences mind. However, being a dance video, there’s always a calm before the storm, so this shot teamed with the calm of the song screams out that there’s going to be a large beat entrance soon. Lastly, the shot of the drinks establishes the party vibe that the song is always portraying though the beat and lyrics and makes the appeal of both the video and visuals strongly as they are being reference through each other as well as singularly. The stereotype of a party and the music are strongly reinforced within the audience’s mind and offers them a massive form of escapism form their normal lives. They can either view this vicariously or literally, depending on the mood the audience has at the time- in the mood for a party, or not. Again, Goodwin’s theories are present in this video, as they were in the previous one and personally I believe they are even stronger and more recognisable in this video. The hype and excitement is so apparent the audience don’t even have to think about the genre, the conventions, the mise-en-scene because its all made positively clear through the visuals and the music itself- following the stereotypes and genre conventions perfectly.

Mise-en-sceneTaking into account Goodwin’s theories, this video fits into his category of a concept music video- meaning that it doesn’t have a strong narrative, a strong live performance like a heavy metal band but it simply has the concept issue of it. This concept being the party lifestyle and the atmosphere that comes with it. Therefore, throughout the video, there is a mise-en-scene of excitement, attitude, wild parties and fun. This in itself would immediately appeal to the target audience because if they are a fan of dance music, then they must like to dance, party and have fun. This not only makes it easier for them to personally identify with the issues in the video but allows them to a sense of what’s to come next time that they go out- thus putting the audience in a good mood and gaining their respect and value. The audience are made to feel motivated through the mise-en-scene and from the up beat tempo of the overall song, meaning that they are more likely to listen to it again. Furthermore, with this strong mise-en-scene and representation it makes the video and the song recognisable, meaning that the artist himself/herself have no need to be featured in the video- it allows the video and the song to speak for themselves, without needing the input of someone famous to get it recognised. The mise-en-scene combines Goodwin’s ideas of the links between the music and the visuals and the links between the visuals and the lyrics creating an overall view on how the audience will be viewing the video- vicariously or from and escapist point of view. However, the video also has elements of a narrative in the club scene but they’re not as strong the concept issues raised in the video.

Camera ShotsThis is one of many abstract shots in the video, which adds a sense of technological advancement to the song and the video- future references will excite the audience and it’s unusual from their normal every day lives. Moreover, the use of the strong colours and the explosion really attract the eye of the audience and will have them enthralled to see what’s coming next, whether it be usual or unusual.

This mid-shot of a woman dancing lets the audience know immediately both the genre of the music and the vibe that the video has- in this case, the party lifestyle. Moreover, by having her in almost a silhouette if adds mystery to her and the shot and keeps the audiences attention on her to see if there’s any development in character. The dark atmosphere reinforces this to the audience and allows them to escape into this atmosphere if they want to or allows them to vicariously view the video on edge.

This high angled shot acts as almost an establishing shot as it lets the audience see what’s going on on the widest scale possible. Moreover it also has an aspect of control about it- the audience are in control of the characters within the video, they are superior. The party lifestyle of the video could not be more apparent them in this shot.

Good Charlotte-‘Hold on’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv2DyzhxpA0

Mise-en-sceneThe mise-en-scene throughout the video is quite negative, but has an underlying hope encased within it. This is because, the lyrics and what is visually seen within the video are very similar and as there’s an underlying hope within the song, it comes across through the visuals, creating this mise-en-scene. This negatively within the mise-en-scene is further emphasised through the surrounding- the ruins, decrepit houses and cold colours of the buildings. These colours set a tone for the video and effect the mood and atmosphere. The underlying hope for the music video isn’t seen visually until right at the end where smiles can be seen by characters featured within the video. The only other way you know about this hope is through the lyrics themselves and they speak powerfully about ‘holding on’ and ‘never letting go’ which could act as a way of empowering the audience of showing to them that everyone needs help sometimes and that it’s ok to ask- everyone’s the same whether they’re famous or not. All these factors effect the mise-en-scene and help to make it very power and it really expresses the meaning behind the song. This mise-en-scene strongly relates to Goodwin’s ideas of genre characteristics and the overall meaning, tone and atmosphere of the video strongly fits into the stereotype for this genre –again, relating back to the theories of Goodwin.

NarrativeThe main reason I choose to analyse this video was because of the powerful narrative that song and the music video carry. This relates directly to Goodwin’s theories of a narrative video and strongly uses this narrative to affect and appeal to the audience. Moreover, this also relates to Goodwin’s theory on how there are strong links between the music and the visuals, again apparent in this video. The meaning behind the song is to ‘hold on if you feel like letting go’ and that everything will become better in time. The lyrics speak about how it’s confusing to feel like you want to give up but that you’re not alone, everyone feels like they want to stop trying at some point in their life. The lyrics could almost act as a way of healing or therapy for some people and I think it’s a very strong topic that so many people will really be able to relate to or personally identity with, making the song even more powerful and meaningful to each and every individual person that watches it. The video shows visually what the lyrics are speaking about- using sad faces, personal suicide stories and the sense of a lack of hope, helped by the mise-en-scene and the cold harshness of the colours used. By having personal storied within the visuals it makes it more apparent how the people are feeling and makes it clear to their emotions and how they are coping with what’s happened. Using these strangers it allows the audience to see how everyone’s the same, in some way or another and again, this reinforces the fact that the video could be used as a healing process for those who are directly effected by the issues raised.

Camera ShotsThis shot acts as an establishing shot, although is isn’t establishing a big surrounding, is establishes what the songs going to be about- feeling empty. It also sets the mise-en-scene immediately of the negative mood and atmosphere and the cold harshness of the colours are immediately impacting on the audience from the off-set. Moreover, it also entices the audience as its confusing- what does a wall have to do with a song?

This close-up of a boy featured in the video, with his personal story in the video also, makes the audience really feel they are there with hi, like they’re the one’s talking to him. Also, it lets his emotions do some of the talking for him, as every single movement of his facial features can be seen directly. It allows the audience to relate to him more, feel like they’re a part of the video, as if they’re meaningful- which some may need when watching this video with their own personal stories.

This low-angled shot of the live style performance of the band let the audience know right away what genre the band are from but also make them relatable to people that may play instruments themselves. Moreover, this shot adds to the rawness of the video and appeals to the target audiences low for live performances- the shot puts the audience in the position that they would be if they were at a live gig.