Drake- Hold On Were Going Home (Nasrine Djemai)
The opening scene is of a tracking over the water and the audience know its in Miami as the title says "Miami 1985". This gives the audience a hint of what the characters and props are going to be like.
This video begins with a narrative in which the main character/ artist ,Drake, is surrounded by all his friends in a club which shows us he is a sociable, popular person. The opening story line is 2 minutes long which allows the audience to get a full impression of the artist on a personal level, the music video is a total of 7:01 minutes long so what Drake intended to do was create a mini movie of him being a super hero as we continue watching the video we see that he uses the damsel in distress convention of him being the hero and saving his young girl friend. His girlfriends costume throughout the whole video is of her looking 'sexy' in her white lingerie which creates a sense of irony in because she has a 'doll face', she looks like an innocent sweet porcelain doll that isn't wearing much which then creates sex appeal but then all the innocence about the damsel figure is gone. The only thing remaining of her which is slightly angelic is the white colour of her lingerie which connotes purity, infinite and hope. Due to drakes huge budget he is able to afford expensive items, quality cameras and props. Although my group and my budget is not as grand as that of drake we still intend on using ideas such as the mini storyline at the begin to create a movie style music video. This creates a feel of the theme within our chosen song which,like this song, is love. The use of point of view angle with the camera as well as close ups to make the audience feel as if they are in the conversation with Drake. This is because of his wealth as well as the reputation he has built for himself. In addition the women that surround him look as if they are more of acquaintances rather than close personal friends because of their provocative clothing which makes them blend in with the materialistic items such as champagne bottles and the scenery in general as they are being used as materials themselves and therefore objects.
The motivated cuts create fluency between ASAP Rocky and his guests which then allows the audience to understand the story line.
The use of long shot and mid shot allow the audience to really see where Drake and his guests are as well as what they are wearing.
The close up of the phone when the unidentifiable person is walking to walk Drake symbolises as well as foreshadows bad news as well as mystery. It also creates dramatic irony as we already know what happened to Drakes girlfriend but he doesn't.
At 2:55 we see flashbacks of Drake with his girlfriend before we see Drake walking into the empty room with a white rob on the floor where his girlfriend was before she was abducted. The use of flashbacks in the editing not only include the audience into Drake and this young womans' relationship but it allows the audience to feel the pain Drake is feeling.
They are in the club which we associate with vivacity, spontaneity and a luxurious life style. This is a typical convention which is used in many R&B music videos as they story lines always have something to do with being social or meeting some one.
Props such as champaign, jewellery and costumes such as suits suits and provocative dresses are conventional through out many R&B music videos as they connote success, glamour and therefore wealth and power. At 4:49 Drake and his crew come out of the van at night which creates tension and leaves the audience wandering whats going to happen. The use of balaclavas and guns move away from that R&B genre convention and move towards more rap as Drake also specialises in rap so the use of those props and costumes show Drake in a different light compared to him in the club where he looked like an ordinary glamours guy having a night out with his friends to a modern day knight ready to fight to the death for his damsel.
What makes this video more enjoyable is that it has some of Andrew Goodwins' 'Thought beats' idea that the editing connects with the beats of the song whether it be 4 beats in a bar or for every 8 beats in a bar. We see this at the start of hold on were going home when the music starts and Drake with his formation of men in the back are walking in an army type style and every time the beat of the music would skip the editing used would make Drake and the rest of his crew skip a step as well so we as the audience are then able to envision the song. The whole point of Goodwins' 'thought beat' is to be able to envision the song.
A Hollywood convention that was manipulated was when the first person to die was not a black man but instead a white man. This turns the typical stereotype of a black person dying because we often see that is the case in rap music videos and various big blockbuster movies.
Conventions used: Expensive drinks (alcoholic) clubs, good looking men and women (especially women), suits and jewellery, guns.
Techniques used; Though beats with the skipping of the beat at the intro of the song, motivated cuts during the fight scene having the girl running away transition into the male chasing after her which creates fluidity.
less conventional: more black characters then white and having the white character die first.
Sean Paul ft Keisha Cole - Give it all to me (Nasrine Djemai)
This video is a performance music video which means its more based on a performance such as the dancing rather than an actual narrative or story line if you like. This in addition is an inter textual music video as it combines the movie 'Step up' which is a widely recognised dance movie trilogy known around the world amongst the young adult target audience as that is who the movie targets. We can then see the relation between the movie,music video and target audience is a positive correlation as this song is also aimed at young adults. The locations used in this video don't vary meaning they are mostly located in the same places which is either in the dance studio or the dance school in which the movie took place. In this case it isn't so much of a disadvantage because its an inter textual music video so it makes more sense to video it where the actual dance movie took place so the audience can connect the two relations rather then having it in random settings which then confuses and becomes less appealing to the audience.
Just like in the previous music video, the use of sex appeal and woman as objects is widely recognised here. On the contrary the woman in this video are dancing in a more sexual way but because this style of dance such as twerking and whining has become such a norm in both young adults lives as well as a norm in the world of R&B it's not considered being an object but in fact a bit more empowering as women as they're expressing themselves compared to the women surrounding a lot of men in provocative clothing showing that they need to impress them so much to be noticed. It is a continuous debatable issue. The main point is that in this video woman are more free with the way they would like to express their true identities compared to the women in Drakes video who were more confined to act as either vulnerable or objects which are both typical conventions of this genre. In addition this more liberal video bonds with Keishas' lyrics nicely as she says "as a woman on my own I got it going on and I'm liking what I'm seeing" So she is turning the tables and instead of women being objectified she is objectifying the men which is a trend that has become popular in the last 7 years.
Even though the costumes amongst the woman are more revealing in this video they are in comfortable sportswear which although is not as glamorous as sequin dresses it suits the occasion as they are loose and comfortable in their dance studio and therefore in their personal space. The male figures are wearing cliche costumes to both the R&B and Rap genre which is baggy jeans, bandanna's, plated hair, snap backs, trainers- this is an outfit you would mostly see in urban settings and this is mostly because of economical issues seeing most of the artists and characters in this music video as well as the people they represent are from poor social back grounds.
The lighting is relatively bright in all the scenes because the location, the dance studio, has a lot of mirrors and windows as professional dancers require those aspects to assist them in their art.
Another aspect that this video has to the previous is the use of 'thought beats' which too are used to visual show the audience the beats of the music so it becomes a more memorable and enjoyable video. The use of camera shots varies but are confined to particular shots such as the close up shot of the artist, particularly the male artist which empowers him more as he's not tying to empress the audience with his figure but in fact his lyrics whereas with Keisha we focus more on her body rather than the lyrics which links to sex appeal. While Sean Paul is rapping we have a close up to him and then when he mentions the women in his lyrics we see a long shot which reveals the trio of woman slightly behind him dancing to his song which makes the audience think that they are hypnotised by his lyrics and therefore belong to him.
Conventional: Majority of dancers are woman - infers they are objects and can get any woman to dance for him, tight clothing on women and baggy clothing of male characters, female artist claiming her Independence through lyrics.
Techniques- Male gaze, tracking the protagonist, low angle camera towards the womens' bodies, fast cut pace going along with the song, long shot to show dancers behind artist (empowers him)
Chris Brown ft Nicki Minaj -Love More(Nasrine Djemai)
This video was directed by the artist, Chris Brown, himself showing that he has a lot of experience in the music industry Up until 1:08 this music video by Chris Brown has a strong solid story line. It begins with his friends rolling up at his house asking him to come to the club because "it's going to be hot" This is a conventional location to set an R&B music video because most of the time when you go to clubs this is a popular genre that is always played in night clubs so it creates a link with real life scenarios. Like the two previous videos this video targets relatively young adults, beginning from 16 onwards due to the mis en scene containing things like high technology such as the X ray vision we see in the opening scene of Chris's body which makes us think he's not even human-He's to 'Cool' to be human. Like Drakes video he manages to bring in close celebrity links as we see the comedian actor Nick Swarsdon playing a cameo as him and Chris are driving the car to the club. When watching the audience will notice that there are two men in front of the car whereas there are three females in the back. This infers that males are the more dominant gender and this conforms with stereotypical ideas about R&B genre that man over power and dominate the women. The three females at the back look as if they are being used as accessorise rather than friends.
The song is introduced to the audience as Nick switches on the radio as says "This is the song" with Chris replying "that's my song" which then introduce the song perfectly
Like Saun Paul's music video the costumes are similar with loose t-shirts on the male figures who wear snap backs,jeans and subtle jewellery. The woman however are more glamorised as they are in the club and they are looking to stand out. Unfortunately their isn't one particular female that stands out because they outfits are all the same in the sense that they all have glamorous, revealing outfits on. This is a convention in R&B videos as the women are objectified. Analysing this video, you can see that the only males in the club are Chris and Nick which implies that women can be bought with fame and wealth making them look more promiscuous.
This video is set only in two locations, but mainly the club. Even though it has a mini storyline at the beginning its more performance based as Chris wow's us with his choreography which does make a huge difference in a music video especially if the music accompanying the choreography is one every one can get up and dance to. Night clubs represent vivacity, liveliness, big crowds and being able to socialise freely as well as glamour and a fast lane lifestyle. Using Maslows' hierarchy of needs theory, the target audience who are based in the aspires section of the triangle, they look up,to one day, being as successful and popular as Chris-using materialistic items (including women) to represent his success.
The flashing lights fit in with the beat of the music allowing the audience to visually see the music. This helps promote the song it self as the audience will remember the video and the effects that fit in with the song so they will want to buy or download it and listen to it.
The panning at the beginning combined with the cuts shows Chris in both the car and the club at the same time just at the beginning of the song which creates fluency ensuring the audience that the song will continue into the club scene.
Conventional; Locations such as stunning apartments, night clubs, trendy outfits along with hats and jewelry for men and revealing clothes for woman, dark lighting to set the night life mood, bright lights at the beginning to create a visual combination with the beats of the song .
Techniques; point of view angle to make the audience feel more involved in the video, over the shoulder shot to include the audience in conversation between artist and friend which is quite voyeuristic, Panning during the choreography between different women, to show how easy the transition can be between finding different women.
Cassie-Long way 2 go (Nasrine Djemai)
This song is about Cassie stating that she's not just any girl and that if you want her you've got to be the right type of guy for her. She is speaking on behalf of women which even though is empowering so may not see it like that. This is a side of R&B that we don't often see when it comes to male artists and their story lines. It is left to the female artists to try in turn conventions around. However there is still the use of sex appeal amongst females in order to turn the conventions around, on this side they use their bodies to show that their free to do what they want rather than having to dress less to 'impress'. Female artists such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys use sex appeal to show that they are independent and don't need men in their lives.
The glamorous side to R&B shines through this video with the persona Cassie gives off which is popular and playing hard to get especially when she says "fall back because you've got a long way to go". She carries her self like a strong woman which makes young girls want to aspire to be her. Her clothes are just as revealing and 'glamorous' as the three previous videos which creates a positive correlation showing that this convention within the costumes is typical of an R&B video.
In the opening scene we are introduced to Cassies' lavish lifestyle as we see her in her own apartment which makes young females want to aspire to become just as independent as her.
Coincidental, the opening scene is exactly the same as Drakes Hold on video. This video like various R&B videos uses the 'male gaze' which is a theory Laura Maulvey devised to explain how the camera works to focus on woman's curves and areas which appeal to males that also give females an insight into how men see women. We see this through out this video but particularly in the club when we reach 2:16 and there is a low angle focus on Cassie's bum as she is dancing, her legs are open and we then see the male figure who's trying to approach her. This foreshadows some sort of relationship in the future.
Conventions; Having friends escort you everywhere, big hair, jewlerry, tight or revealing clothing, expensive living accomadation, cars, nightclubs, dim lighting to create a night life mood because you would hear this music in the club.
Techniques; low angle on bum of Cassie, tracking of the sea and panning up towards the city which symbolises a transition from nature to something man made but also the more glamourous side to the city with the bright lights.
All four of these videos have followed the typical conventions of an R&B video
The lighting is relatively bright in all the scenes because the location, the dance studio, has a lot of mirrors and windows as professional dancers require those aspects to assist them in their art.
Another aspect that this video has to the previous is the use of 'thought beats' which too are used to visual show the audience the beats of the music so it becomes a more memorable and enjoyable video. The use of camera shots varies but are confined to particular shots such as the close up shot of the artist, particularly the male artist which empowers him more as he's not tying to empress the audience with his figure but in fact his lyrics whereas with Keisha we focus more on her body rather than the lyrics which links to sex appeal. While Sean Paul is rapping we have a close up to him and then when he mentions the women in his lyrics we see a long shot which reveals the trio of woman slightly behind him dancing to his song which makes the audience think that they are hypnotised by his lyrics and therefore belong to him.
Conventional: Majority of dancers are woman - infers they are objects and can get any woman to dance for him, tight clothing on women and baggy clothing of male characters, female artist claiming her Independence through lyrics.
Techniques- Male gaze, tracking the protagonist, low angle camera towards the womens' bodies, fast cut pace going along with the song, long shot to show dancers behind artist (empowers him)
Chris Brown ft Nicki Minaj -Love More(Nasrine Djemai)
This video was directed by the artist, Chris Brown, himself showing that he has a lot of experience in the music industry Up until 1:08 this music video by Chris Brown has a strong solid story line. It begins with his friends rolling up at his house asking him to come to the club because "it's going to be hot" This is a conventional location to set an R&B music video because most of the time when you go to clubs this is a popular genre that is always played in night clubs so it creates a link with real life scenarios. Like the two previous videos this video targets relatively young adults, beginning from 16 onwards due to the mis en scene containing things like high technology such as the X ray vision we see in the opening scene of Chris's body which makes us think he's not even human-He's to 'Cool' to be human. Like Drakes video he manages to bring in close celebrity links as we see the comedian actor Nick Swarsdon playing a cameo as him and Chris are driving the car to the club. When watching the audience will notice that there are two men in front of the car whereas there are three females in the back. This infers that males are the more dominant gender and this conforms with stereotypical ideas about R&B genre that man over power and dominate the women. The three females at the back look as if they are being used as accessorise rather than friends.
The song is introduced to the audience as Nick switches on the radio as says "This is the song" with Chris replying "that's my song" which then introduce the song perfectly
Like Saun Paul's music video the costumes are similar with loose t-shirts on the male figures who wear snap backs,jeans and subtle jewellery. The woman however are more glamorised as they are in the club and they are looking to stand out. Unfortunately their isn't one particular female that stands out because they outfits are all the same in the sense that they all have glamorous, revealing outfits on. This is a convention in R&B videos as the women are objectified. Analysing this video, you can see that the only males in the club are Chris and Nick which implies that women can be bought with fame and wealth making them look more promiscuous.
This video is set only in two locations, but mainly the club. Even though it has a mini storyline at the beginning its more performance based as Chris wow's us with his choreography which does make a huge difference in a music video especially if the music accompanying the choreography is one every one can get up and dance to. Night clubs represent vivacity, liveliness, big crowds and being able to socialise freely as well as glamour and a fast lane lifestyle. Using Maslows' hierarchy of needs theory, the target audience who are based in the aspires section of the triangle, they look up,to one day, being as successful and popular as Chris-using materialistic items (including women) to represent his success.
The flashing lights fit in with the beat of the music allowing the audience to visually see the music. This helps promote the song it self as the audience will remember the video and the effects that fit in with the song so they will want to buy or download it and listen to it.
The panning at the beginning combined with the cuts shows Chris in both the car and the club at the same time just at the beginning of the song which creates fluency ensuring the audience that the song will continue into the club scene.
Conventional; Locations such as stunning apartments, night clubs, trendy outfits along with hats and jewelry for men and revealing clothes for woman, dark lighting to set the night life mood, bright lights at the beginning to create a visual combination with the beats of the song .
Techniques; point of view angle to make the audience feel more involved in the video, over the shoulder shot to include the audience in conversation between artist and friend which is quite voyeuristic, Panning during the choreography between different women, to show how easy the transition can be between finding different women.
Cassie-Long way 2 go (Nasrine Djemai)
This song is about Cassie stating that she's not just any girl and that if you want her you've got to be the right type of guy for her. She is speaking on behalf of women which even though is empowering so may not see it like that. This is a side of R&B that we don't often see when it comes to male artists and their story lines. It is left to the female artists to try in turn conventions around. However there is still the use of sex appeal amongst females in order to turn the conventions around, on this side they use their bodies to show that their free to do what they want rather than having to dress less to 'impress'. Female artists such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys use sex appeal to show that they are independent and don't need men in their lives.
The glamorous side to R&B shines through this video with the persona Cassie gives off which is popular and playing hard to get especially when she says "fall back because you've got a long way to go". She carries her self like a strong woman which makes young girls want to aspire to be her. Her clothes are just as revealing and 'glamorous' as the three previous videos which creates a positive correlation showing that this convention within the costumes is typical of an R&B video.
In the opening scene we are introduced to Cassies' lavish lifestyle as we see her in her own apartment which makes young females want to aspire to become just as independent as her.
Coincidental, the opening scene is exactly the same as Drakes Hold on video. This video like various R&B videos uses the 'male gaze' which is a theory Laura Maulvey devised to explain how the camera works to focus on woman's curves and areas which appeal to males that also give females an insight into how men see women. We see this through out this video but particularly in the club when we reach 2:16 and there is a low angle focus on Cassie's bum as she is dancing, her legs are open and we then see the male figure who's trying to approach her. This foreshadows some sort of relationship in the future.
Conventions; Having friends escort you everywhere, big hair, jewlerry, tight or revealing clothing, expensive living accomadation, cars, nightclubs, dim lighting to create a night life mood because you would hear this music in the club.
Techniques; low angle on bum of Cassie, tracking of the sea and panning up towards the city which symbolises a transition from nature to something man made but also the more glamourous side to the city with the bright lights.
All four of these videos have followed the typical conventions of an R&B video
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