Music Video Analysis - Eminem - "Without Me"

Artist(s)/ Band: Eminem
Track name: Without Me

Release date: 14//2002

Genre: Hip/Hop

This video released in 2002 was one of the best singles ever to be released by Marshall Mathers, also famously known as Eminem. The video narrates a story of protagonist, Eminem, trying to save a child from seeing explicit content on a CD that was transacted by an irresponsible sales clerk at a music store. Nearly every scene involves some kind of comical action, it removes all intensive mood, as a result causes the viewer to be more relaxed and which therefore releases their humorous side.

The mise en scene of the various clothing used in the video humorously shows the parody that implies towards superheroes, although it can be argued as being a negative homage. A mischievous ad hypocritical Eminem that wants to do good, but manages to do the opposite gives the audience an hysterical and humurous appeal to the music video.A humorous representation of Eminem showing a less serious and less aggressive side to the  to choose the positive funny side of the music video or the negative parody of superheroes. It involves the audience into the video to follow a storyline. 

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Music Magazine Analysis; Lady Gaga ft Beyoncé "Telephone"

Artist(s)/ Band: Lady Gaga ft Beyonce Knowles
Track name: Telephone
Release date: 22nd August, 2001

Genre: Disco/ Electro-Pop

Lady Gaga's "Telephone" contains multiple post-modern contents which could possibly be of high interests to a wide range of female viewers. The numerous scenes Lady Gaga is shot in, shows a wide concept of post modernism due to purposely used mise-en-scene along with the actual song lyrics itself.

The audience are introduced to an American women’s prison where the protagonist, Lady Gaga is being accommodated into her new prison cell for the killing of her boyfriend, giving the impression that it’s a continuation from her previous single "Paparazzi". In prison we see females resembling stereotypically actions and behaviour males are foreseen to be doing in a male prison, conventions such as bodybuilding, having gang fights, more over the whole scene has a less feminist appeal. 

The mise-en-scene also imitates the 1960s American fashion and style, with the curly blonde hairstyles, with the funky and vibrant clothes. As well as the settings such the diner in which Lady Gaga and Beyoncé Knowles perform a dance routine, which has the features of the typical diner you would expect straight from the 60s.

Interestingly the video also contains homage to Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol.1, the escaping Lady Gaga and Beyoncé drive away in a car with the number plate that reads Kill Bill. Also Lady Gaga calls Beyoncé as "Honey Bee", this is also another homage credited to the movie "Pulp Fiction"(1994) another one of Tarantino's films where one of the characters are named "Honey Bunny".

The beginning of the video shows the titles of the music video of the main characters that are going to be the characters played in the video; Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. What is highly noticeable is the inter-textual referencing between the title and credits are formatted and movies titles set in the 1960s with the basic contrasting three dimension trendy fonts that gives the initial impression that the music video could potentially be a short movie.

Teacher Feedback

Vahesan I am happy with the improved level of commitment you have shown in relation to the practical work outside of lesson time. Keep this up! You now need to ensure you meet the targets I set in my previous feedback i.e. finish all of the textual analysis.

Music Magazine Analysis; Michael Jackson - "You rock my world"

Artist(s)/ Band: Michael Jackson
Track name: You rock my world 
Release date: 22nd August, 2001

Genre: Disco/Pop, R&b

Michael Jacksons 10th studio album release contains a top ten billboard hit single, "You rock my world". The directer, Paul Hunter, has purposely used a narrative story line to keep the music video appear as a short film. 

We are introduced to a gangster populated entertainment venue, where the famous Michael Jackson and his companion Chris Tucker go on a mission to woe an attractive women.  The smart suits and shirts nearly every male character is wearing implies power and wealth, much like a mobsters or a high level gangster social event,we see a the club filled with many men and women that match the gangster genre that can be affiliated with other films such as  'The Godfather' and 'Scarface'. The multitude of different dangers that Michael Jackson is prone highlights his bravery and creates a favouritism amongst the audience. 

Tracking shots are used to follow the characters through different scenes, as each scene progresses it builds a continuous flow from start to finish that keeps the viewer engaged into the video. The director has also used over the shoulder shots to focus the speech (sung by Michael Jackson) to the leading female actress.

The female actress that our protagonist tries to win over can be argued to be the idealistic women by most male genders due to for such reasons: Her slim body shape, the elegant movement through the scenes, and her positive strong posture gives both a confident and "sexy" attributes to her character. 

The dim lit rooms, with the flowers and indoor plants, there is a definite romantic atmosphere even amongst the many mobsters in the rooms. The silky satin dress worn by the leading actress is shown in many medium and close up shots, as much as it a sexual arousal for males there is also a sense of female dominance; the glamour in the dress and her leading on actions that posses's our hero portrays the significance and importance of woman rather than as products or items.

Teacher Feedback

Vahesan you have made some progress with aspects of the research and planning work such as a range of textual analyses that show a sound understanding of the key conventions, in addition to some theoretical understanding e.g. Marxist theory. You must now finish all research work to include post modernist and post feminist interpretations of music videos. In addition you must add you audience research findings - use the checklist and power point in Firefly to support you. Meeting the deadlines set is to key to your overall mark for their aspect of the course. At present you are working towards a level 3.