Planning: Analysis Of Similar Music Videos - Ms Begum

Analysis Of Similar Music Videos

Video 1: Justin Timberlake feat Jay – Z: Suit and tie  

By Sean 

Whilst analysing this video, I was mainly interested in the structure and artist representation.  

 

Performance from the artist: 

• Starts relaxed and slow, in keeping with the tempo of the introduction. The audience relates to artist doing everyday tasks, for example, eating cereal and watching television. 
• Artist confidently approaches the stage to start the performance of the song. 
• Artist is the main focus on the stage. 
• Contrary to the opening of the song, the audience is now to engage with the artist as a performer. 
• Artist is effortlessly confident performing his song and enjoying the production aspect also. 
• Artist is portrayed as a multi-skilled artist, he can sing and dance.  

 

Concept/abstract ideas: 

• The piece does not intend to tell a story inspired by the song but rather showcase Timberlake as the author and performer of the song, also the themes suggested by the lyrics, for example, the confidence and swag he holds  
• A day in the life of a performer, including friendship, collaboration (Jay-Z), performing on stage, attractive backing dancers, editing the song n the studio etc. 

 

Narrative within the video: 

• Artist starts his day at work, as many would, eating breakfast with a colleague / friend. 

• Once at work he approaches the stage and enjoys performing his song to an audience, dressed and performing in a way that reflects the themes suggested in the song. 
• Symbolic / Aesthetic use of female dancers throughout the piece illustrate to the audience the suggestive lyrics sung by Artist. 
• Continuing theme of friendship is present throughout the narrative, between Artist and Jay-Z, expressed via the production aspect of the song. 

 

Artist representation: (costume, body language, positioning) 

• Artist is dressed in everyday clothes at the beginning of the video as he prepares to start his day with Jay-Z, we see him relaxed and laughing. This is also repeated mid song when the friends are editing off stage. 
• As he approaches the stage to perform, we see he has changed into a smart suit. He confidently approaches the stage with his back turned to camera, this builds anticipation for the performance and we see that his costume is adding to his status on stage and his confident body language. 
• When Artist is performing on stage he is the main focus. 
• The choreography on stage draws attention to Artist rather than the backing dancers on stage, only occasionally does he join the same routine as the other dancers, this helps to add weight to moments in the song. Artist then breaks away from the routine and regains the audience’s focus. 
• Varying camera angles pick up many aspects of Artists’ expressive body language whilst dancing on stage. 
• We see that Artist’s costume is fuelling his confidence and expression of self on stage, as he dances and his facial expressions fall in line with the lyrics he is singing. 

 

 

Video 2: Westlife – Smile  

By Darhyl 

Whilst analysing this video, I was mainly interested in the content and visual style of the video.  

 

 

 

Themes apparent in video: 

• 1940’s Las Vegas life style 
• Gambling in Las Vegas 
• Love and flirtation  

Lighting and colour: 

• Gives the sense of a smoky, dark Las Vegas bar in the 1940s 
• Dimly lit, particularly amongst the audience members, offering selective lighting of women’s body parts, for example, a smile or legs. 
• Stage lighting is more intense used to illuminate Westlife’s performance of the song. 
• Vague, dreamy lighting used to increase the sensuality of the song. 
• Images fading and emerging in time with the song. 

 

Body language and facial expressions of characters and artist: 

• Artists are relaxed, calm and happy throughout the piece, both on and off stage. 
• Slow and sensual movements from the artists, in keeping with the tempo and content of the song. 
• Artists sway slowly to music and gaze engagingly with the other characters / audience members. 
• Characters / audience members gaze lovingly back at the artists on stage. 
• The characters / audience member’s body language and facial expressions are more energetic as they interact with each other, drinking, smiling, laughing, kissing and enjoying the artist’s song. 
• Later in the piece, the artists and character’s interact with each other more vibrantly when gambling. 

Setting: 

• 1930’s / 40’s in Las Vegas 
• Poker place 

• Champagne / Cocktail Bar in Las Vegas 
• Vintage style 

 

Iconography/objects: 

• Las Vegas billboard in opening scene to set the scene and context of the piece. 
• Champagne and cocktail glasses on the character’s tables showing the traditional setting of a Las Vegas bar. 
• Poker tables and poker chips to re-enforce context of Las Vegas and the past times of guests there, entertaining both the characters and the artists. 
• Las Vegas casino lights, to add to glitzy setting. 

 

Character representation: 

• Characters are seen to be enjoying the specific setting of the piece, all are smiling and laughing and enjoying drinks, gambling and each other’s company. 
• All give an impression of being very classy and sophisticated, dressed well, composed and poised. 

 

Artist representation: 

• Artist’s are represented as being very loved by the other characters, they seem popular and charismatic, holding the other characters attention throughout. 
• Artist’s engage with other characters enjoying Las Vegas and sharing moments of eye contact with them whilst on stage. 
• Artist’s seem very comfortable and seasoned within the specific setting, thriving in the environment that they are in. 
• Artists are smartly dressed but comfortable  

 

Use of camera work: 

• Camera shots work in harmony with the relaxed setting, following the artist’s journey onto the stage and panning out to their view, the other characters / audience members enjoying their performance. 
• Slow camera shots glide over the character’s bar tables and past their glasses, providing glimpses of moments between them, drinking, cheers, kissing, loving looks. 
• Camera tends to focus on each artist as they perform solo pieces using close ups and mid-shots, to give more attention to whoever is leading vocals at any moment. 
• Vintage filters used to create aged feel. Camera lingers and moves around the artists.  

 

 

 

Video 3: Frank Sinatra – That’s life  

By Kloe 

Whilst analysing this video, I was mainly interested in the character representation.  

 

 

 

Body language/movement and facial expressions of artist: 

• Main character seems a little sad in mood, perhaps fed up, looking at the ground and walking with little purpose. 
• Once he is on the stage and adjusts his costume (putting on hat for example) he perks up and gets a spring in his step, dancing and looking up rather than down to the floor. 
• After the tempo of the song picks up he walks with more purpose and presence, interacting with props and scenery around him.  
• As the song builds and positive moments are vocalized, his gestures become more open and expressive. 

Costume: 

• Main character is wearing a suit, he interacts with the suit to express his mood, playing with his hat and flapping his suit jacket. 
• Once on the stage the suit seems to empower him and improve his mood 

Interaction with others: 

• He seems to be looked down upon by other characters in the piece which makes him lose status. 
• When he is chucked out of a venue by another character, this seems to fuel him to become more positive and confident in his body language. 

Camera work around him: 

• Follows his journey between the streets and the stage. 
• Back and white throughout. 
• Silhouetted figure when on stage. 
• Faded edges. 
• Very vintage feel. 

 

From this analysis, some of the similarities I have found are: 

• Artist usually wears a suit but in a casual way. 
• Black and white colour added. 
• Vintage style applied to all / a timeless sense of style portrayed. 
• All seem to have the time performing on stage as the focal point to the piece. 
• The costumes are most suitable to the piece when the characters are on stage. 
• Other characters in all pieces do not add to dialogue or add directly to the direction of the piece but rather enhance lyrics that are being sung, the mood of the piece or the status of the artist. 

 

From this analysis, some of the ideas we will take are: 

• A similar idea of the introduction of Frank Sinatra of the cigarette idea.
• Showing the similar idea of the use of a friendship bond between the two friends just like Justin Timberlake Suit and Tie.
• Furthermore the idea of being outside in the city and the gambling from Westlife Smile.
• The use of black and white within the music video but then also have it change to soft tone colours to show the modernisation from old to new.  

 

Conclusion:
In conclusion I and the rest of my group has analysed three different music videos which have helped influenced our ideas we want within our music video we are going to create. With this analysis shown in depth a description of the narrative, visual style and artist/star image which will be presented in the video. With all this research of the music videos that have influenced us, we hope that our video will come out looking as good as these music videos do, as it will be very hard to get it up to these standards.
Having all of this research it has been very beneficial to the music video as I have a better idea of how to show some of the themes and ideas we have got. Furthermore with the research some of the ideas I have got, these music videos has shown to me and allowed me to understand how to portray these ideas visually. With doing this it has helped me be able to bring my ideas out even more when creating the video to the best of my ability possible.