Unit 29.2 Video analysis

  

Michael Jackson - The way you make me feel 

Directed by Joe Pytka

Genre - R&B

The way you make me feel can be easily identified as R&B through the love story that can often be found in R&B. The video can also be identified through the classy dress the woman is wearing and Jackson's clothing is also very smart/casual another feature that can often be found in R&B videos. The video also has a urban setting which is often used in R&B music videos.

 

Type - Narrative/ Performance  (Conventions).

Jacksons - The way you make me feel tells the story of a street wise man trying to impress a high class lady.This is also told through the lyrics making a strong connection between the two. The title 'the way you make me feel' is shown through the storyline and lyrics as they both show a meaning of someone worth chasing. This video is also a partial performance video as Jackson lip syncs to the lyrics and dancing.

  

Star image motifs

Jacksons video shows many classic Michael Jackson motifs. Which include the classic white socks black shoes look that appears in almost all of his videos. the most obvious Jackson motif would have to be the style of dance. Which Jackson was very famous for. this also influenced a lot of modern day artists such as usher and Ne-yo.

 

Voyeuristic

 There is a voyeuristic element to the video as the public watch Michael Jackson and the back up dancers. There is also the woman and her group of friends as they watch the group dance.

Misc en scene

The video is set on a dark street at night with the street lights as lighting this maybe to give the video a more relatable and realistic image. Jacksons costume gives him a casual/smart look. the woman's costume is a classy dress. these both are to fit with the narrative.

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer 

Directed by - Stephan R Johnson

Genre
Prog rock/ Funk rock Sledgehammer can be identified as Funk rock through the drum and electric guitar beat. A beat that can be compared with Jimi Hendrix - Who knows (en.wikipedia.org) Sledgehammer can also be identified as Prog rock through the electric sound effects and abstract visual effects commonly found in many Prog rock songs.

Type
Concept/performance. The video for sledgehammer uses stop motion/clay animation to create the video. Sledgehammer is also a performance video as it is focused on Gabriel through out. He also mimes to the lyrics.

Conventions
The lyrics and video visuals are connected through out the music video. For example each time Sledgehammer is mentioned a Sledgehammer appears in the video. This also happens at the lyrics "you can have a bumper car. Bumping" At this point two Bumper cars appear at each side of him and bump into his neck.

Intertextual
Sledgehammer uses a inter-textual reference to David Lynch's 1977 film Eraserhead. In the film Lynch uses a clip of a moving chicken at the dinner table. (see below)In Sledgehammer there is a clip of two chickens dancing this could be a reference to that scene.

During the sledgehammer video there is a clip of fruit making a face. Another reference is to italian artists giuseppe arcimboldo famous Vortumnus (Vertumno) painting which was completed in 1590. Pictured below.

Ne-yo - One in a million 

Directed by Wayne Isham.

Genre

R&B This music video can be identified as R&B through many characteristics. Both the lyrics and video resemble a love story. the beginning of the video is set outside a classy café. Both the artist and back up dancers are dressed in a smart suit; waist coats, ties and braces. These give the video a sense of glamour which is often associated with R&B.

Type

Narrative The video displays a narrative of a man portrayed by Neyo trying to impress a woman through dancing but he gets distracted leaving the woman upset.

Conventions - The relationship between the video and lyrics are well represented through the choreography which frequently matches the lyrics. The lyrics 'all over the world' at this point the dancer create a circle like motion.

Intertextual

The video is almost like a tribute to Michael Jackson who died the year before this video was released. The story is comparable to Michael Jackson - the way you make me feel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZ_urpj4As. The choreography almost mimics Jacksons style of dance. Neyo's suit is similar to Jacksons suit at the start of smooth criminal. The hat imaged below is also found in many of Michael Jacksons videos including you rock my world and smooth criminal.

Close ups

The close ups are mainly short depth of field of the woman. This maybe as the narrative is based around her and her reactions. There are mainly wide and mid shots of the artist as your attention is meant to be on the dancing. The voyeuristic elements of the music video are of the public watching the dance group perform both on the street and at the café.

Misc en scene

The music video is set outside a café and on the street this maybe to demonstrate the story is based on regular life situations. A skateboard is used which could be to symbolise the constant cycle of women.

Bon Jovi - Living on a prayer 

Directed by Wayne Isham.

Genre 
Rock
A Classic rock image is used for this video similar to the image below; long permed hair and leather jacket. the video can also be identified as rock through the guitar solo which is often associated with rock songs such as Queens - Bohemian rhapsody.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ

Type - Performance (Conventions)

This video can be identified as a performance as it is set at a concert. Bon Jovi are on harnesses during the video this could represent the band being gods and granting the audiences prayers as the audience has done for them.

Close ups 

There are many close ups of the band members. Using short but strong lighting on the member to ensure focus on them. There is a spot light focused on the members at the time of the close ups.

Misc en scene

The costumes are a leather jacket with jeans which symbolises the classic for a rock star. The spot lights in the background constantly move and flash with the beat.