Kanye west -
Runaway - 'beautiful twisted fairytale'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm5iA4Zupek
Conventions:
cinematography - the high angle shot at the very start of the video is immediately suggestiveof a certain dominance over the main figure (kanye west). the slow zoom of the camera onto the blonde ballerina situated in the middle is suggestive of a female interest which is already previously suggested in the high angle shot at the start of the wedding scene with the white chairs and black bows.
editing- the limited use of speial effects in the video is effective as it adds realism to the video, the use of slow motion excites viewers and suggests some sort of film like sequence as the video is taken from the film 'runaway' which is what the song was produced for.
mise en scene - the location of being inside the metal green doors however we can see it is set outside due to the grey pavestones, the high metal walls almost act like a barrier suggesting they are trapped and he is unable to 'runaway' which is corresponding to the lyrics. The white suit in which kanye is wearing suggests his innocence, this is cleverly contradicted from the stereotypical innocence of the ballerinas as they are seen to be wearing black, the jerky, quick movements of the ballerinas suggest drama and the circular shape in which they are positioned is suggestive of the shape of a wedding ring which is a suggested theme by the registery table and white chairs with black bows which are shown in the high angle shot at the start of the video.
Sound - non diegetic, soundtrack to the film.
form - the narrative (storyline) is slightly unclear in my opinion, however the mise en scene is suggestive and therefore allows viewers to draw their own conclusions. Kanye is lip-syncing along to the soundtrack backing the music video. this is similar for many other music videos in the music industry improving sound quality of their videos.
Jay-Z
'Empire State Of Mind'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VutgMLuIxl8
Conventions:
Cinematography - the flashing photographs fitting with the pace of the music is effective as it is fitting with the lyrics ' a concrete jungle where dreams are made of' the photographs contain images of famous landmarks and then high angle shots of skyscrapers and bright lights which is what new york is famous for which is again fitting with the lyrics. the seperate frames for Jay Z and Alicia Keys suggest no romance which leaves the narrative of the video solely on the city.
editing - the black and white effect used throughout the video is similar to the next video example i have included of Beyonce, the colour exaggerates the lights in the city. However, the flashing photograhy images does interupt the continuity and realism of the video.
mise en scene - the black and white takes the focus away from the chosen outfits on the artists,which i find unclear as to whether this has been done purosefully or whether this comes down to the opinion of the viewer. The famous new york cap that is well known from the city is featured on jay z throughout the video.
sound - non-diegetic.
form-lip-syncing, I think that the video has been created solely for performance purposes as it has not been featured in a film as opposed to the video example i have included and anaysed previously.
Beyonce Knowles
'if i were a boy'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWpsOqh8q0M
Conventions:
Cinematography - the close ups and extreme close ups of facial expressions and the contrast between beyonce and the male are vital for the narrative of the video. the high angle shot of beyonce over the male is almost suggestive of a certain dominance however this is unclear of which gender the dominant camera angle is representing.
editing - the special effects of black and white are similar to the previous video example i have analysed, however i think they work even better in this video as no colour is really required and it takes the focus of beyonce's looks and more to the narrative. the continuity is similar to that of a short film, however the constant change in location is almost a break in the continuity and montage of the video.
mise en scene - the plain make up and hairstyle is less feminine than beyonce's usal look, and therefore suggestive of a more masculine image which she is trying to show in this video which is corresponding with the lyrics 'if i were a boy.' the police outfit is showing her living a life in the day of her partner.
sound - non diegetic.
form- the form is similar to that of a short film as opposed to a musical performance.
The above artists have also grouped together and created a single that has been released on the album 'watch the throne' that was released in 2012.
Kanye West, Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles
'lift off'
there has not been an official video released for this yet, however i still wanted to include the track to show the artists recording together.
