RUSSIAN ROULETTE

This song is about being in a relationship and being afraid of getting hurt in the end which is kind of similar to the feeling that you get when you play the game Russian roulette. You know somebody could get seriously hurt in the end, and it could be you. Basically, the lyrics metaphorically refer to the game of love in which you take chances even though anyone can get hurt.

This music video contains many of the different conventions of R’n’B. Firstly the clothing that Rihanna wears is very sexual which is normal in this genre as minimal clothing is a must to attract and appeal to its audience. It also helps sell and make people want to watch the video, especially people who see Rihanna as an icon. The type of clothes worn conveys her sexuality in many ways. Her hair is short, sharp and dramatic, but this is her own individual look.

Rihannas makeup in this video is very bold and it stands out to the costumes she wears. Her eye makeup is very dark and it brigs out her eye colour. She wears very high heels in this video and short clothing to show off her legs. The look she portrays in this video is 'dangerous' as she is playing this very challenging game. The audience and people that would listen to this song are people that listen to R’n’B and also people that can relate to the lyrics of this song.

The flashbacks shown in the beginning of the video gives us an insight on what’s going to be included in this video and what it’s about. For example the blood the gun and the scratches etc. (The semantic field of danger)

When it shows her and the man in the room with the gun on the table a two shot is used.

This creates a better effect as it includes them facing each other with the gun placed in the middle on the table. Then when the man picks it up, an over the shoulder shot is used to show Rihannas face-expression which is quite scared and worried.

She also puts her fist near her mouth which we could say is for protection or to show that she’s nervous. A medium close up of just her face is used again showing her take a deep breath, then a fade is used which then shows us a shot of Rihanna laying on the floor.

A close up of Rihannas face is used which shows us a clear view of her hair and makeup and her expression looks quite brave, and dangerous like she is capable of doing anything. Another two shot is showing Rihanna taking the gun and putting it under the table. Flashbacks are used again. Eye level is used to show us the real-world angle. it shows us as we would expect to see in real life. a mid shot is then used to show Rihanna in a change of outfit, and blood appearing on her chest.

This video features Rihanna in different situations. First she is in a room where men are trying to get information out of her then she is shown at the table with the guy she is playing the game with, then in the woods she gets run over by a car then under water she is being shot. At the very end of the music video she dies.