Music Video Analysis - 2pac - Ghetto Gospel

Tupac – Ghetto Gospel

This is video is known as a Narrative Video which basically means a video with a story. It begins with a point of view shot with us the audience looking through a crowd. Diegetic sounds of a helicopter and sirens codes an immediate indication of trouble/crime scene. We then focus to a close up revealing a man lying dead on the floor. This shot immediately throws us into the action.

The next effective shot is the camera defocusing, which codes the impression of confusion or in the case a flashback as after this defocus we are take back to the beginning of the characters day. The mise-en-scene is very realistic which adds more emotion, enabling the audience to connect with the character more.

The Narrative is explained effectively through a montage, flashes of different periods of time throughout the characters day simultaneously telling the story with success. There are key points made through short flashes throughout, indicating aspects of the characters life that are vital to the story. One being drug deals or some type of dodgy deal, a close up focuses in on the hands exchanging money which clear codes that type of deal. The video is ultimately a cycle it starts and ends at the same point with temporal leaps, the overall time span of the video is a day.

The video also does some things to break the narrative for example fading to black this reminds the audience it is still a music video, not a film. The last few notifiable shots in the video are sharper detailed points. The video has some shots overlooking the city which gives off an impression of the character considering life choices. Another good shot is when the cup falls at the end it signifies the man falling once he is shot, this is conveying the story with a different object being shot which i think is very effective.

Postmodernism

I have began to research into postmodernism and how it is influential to music video and the music industry.


Modernism

• Believes in ultimate experimentation.
• Broke boundaries that were previously set in all different art forms.
• Elitist - appealing to the elite- most educated.
• Only the educated would understand abstract and advanced art.
• 1900's, particularly 1940's and 1950's.
• Taking things to the extreme.

Postmodernism

• In theory the end of originality.
• Bricolage/Pastiche - Definition: Taking things from different sources. Media term - Taking pieces of what's been done before and placing in a new context. (Eclectic art form).
• Highly self referential- wanting the audience to understand that it is engaged with a text.
• Allusion - reference to another text - Intertextuality. 

Album Cover Art Analysis

Oasis:Definitely Maybe

Conventions

• The album cover is quite conventional in terms of adhering to the central features expected.
• The band name appears at the top.
• The band themselves are featured.
• The album name also appears at the top.

Codes

• There are numerous codes at work with this album art.
• They are used in order to establish the bands importance, confidence, musicality and Identity.

General Analysis

• Photograph of Manchester city football player in a frame- Establishing they are from Manchester.
• Glass of wine placed on the floor- Sophistication, living life, party scene, rock+roll.
• B+H Gold cigarettes- Strong cigarettes, working class.
• Liam Gallagher- Lying down centrally, main focus, arrogant, establishing himself as a front man.
• The actual room- Upper class but still keeping the working class heritage in mind.
• Noel Gallagher- Holding guitar, establishing himself as the musician, songwriter, natural, laid back.
• Other Band Members- In the background, less focus.
• Globe- They have the world, ambition, opportunity.
• Watching Tv- They are everyday people, confident, happy, also the unity of the band in a family living room.
• Front style of the Band name- Simple, tabloid, black+white, equality.
• Album Title- Hand written, personal touch.

Market Research for Fake Artist

Master Zig TC - Sasha & Sam

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Analysing Music Video

Analysing Music Video

Music video’s consist of various codes and conventions, which makes them both recognisable and effective. There are a diverse set of rules and techniques used to ultimately create a successful music video.

Jump Cuts

When the camera angle remains static (doesn’t move) but there’s an edit in the filming. Music video uses jump cuts for effect.

30-Degree Rule

When you break this rule you have a jump cut. This is when you move the camera 30 degrees or more so the audience moves with you.

Jump Cuts in Music Video

Jump cuts are used frequently in music videos for specific effect. This is to jar the audience, Surprise them and take notice. This is to make the audience conscious that they are watching a music video. If you have a jump cut in a narrative it looks fake, it looks like a mistake.

180-Degree Rule

The audience has a certain position you orientate the audience. If you break this rule you disorientate the audience.

Graphic Match

When you have a cut to something a similar shape or colour, this is used frequently in music video to create fluency or links.

Match on Action

Shouting the same action but other people do it in different shots. This creates an idea of ongoing action.

Low Angle Shots

Used much more in music videos than they are in films, this can make someone look like they’re performing. It also adds significance to the artist.

Intertextuality

When a media text makes an explicit reference to another media text.