Lesson 2- Notes

Media

Analysis of music videos:


Jay Z- 99 Problems



Genre Characteristics:
- Urban setting- Brooklyn, NY, Jay Zs hood. Makes point by revealing name on hoody.
- Representation of a "gangsta" lifestyle- Cruising in cars, dog fights, loitering in streets, getting pulled    over by police, basketball and gangs.
- Street Dance/Free-styling
- Scantily Clad 'sexy' women- cheap looking, gold bikinis.
- Jail scenes- All inmates are black.
- Stereotypical race representations- White guy in suit, police officer is white, black people are in jail or are on the streets.
- Goes against convention of wealth, lacks fancy cars, bling, women etc.
- Women are a minor Element in this video. Usually a lot of women in hip hop videos.

Relationships between lyrics and Visuals: 
- 'From the hood'- Jay Z pulls down hood.
- 'Radio'- Image of radio.
- 'Bitch'- Images of women.
-'Jay Z'- Points to himself.
- 'Fast Forward'- Moves hand along to demonstrate.
- 'Paparazzi'- Camera flash images of criminals identity shots.
- Clear and strong relationship between lyrics and visuals. Illustrates what we see, sometimes in a more subtle way.

Relationship between music and visuals:
- Music is hard hitting, aggressive-sounding with an emphasis on beat rather than melody. Visuals are also harsh looking and edits are fast paced to emphasis this aggression.

Influence of Record Label & use of close ups:
- Lots of shots of Jay Z- Not all close ups, but there are some.
- Close ups of other men as well. Aggressive looking.
- Shots of women are long shots/mid shots- because they're not important.
- Less emphasis on Jay Z on his own- he is an established artist and doesnt need as much exposure.
- Jay Z has his own record label as well as being part of Island Def Jam/Roccafella- quite independent. Evidence of less control by the label in this video than you might expect from a more mainstream/major label.

Notion of Looking:
- Jay Z puts his hand over the camera so that it seems as though the audience is looking through his fingers.
- X-Ray vision shot of money in boot- We can see through the boot.
- Scopophillic treatment of women is quite uncomfortable to watch- Seems totally unnecessary.
- Early establishing shots are almost point of view, creating the impression that the audience is looking around the hood.
- Video of Jay Z outside subway station.


Tenacious D- Tribute



Genre Characteristics:
- Comedic feel with the images shown.
- Performance with guitars is typical in a rock video.
- Topless Devil shows rock ideology.
- The video takes some characteristics but for a comedic effect.

Lyrics and Visuals:
- 'Hitch hiking down a long lonesome road'- Shows them walking down a deserted highway.
- 'Shined a shiny demon'- The Devil appears.
- The lyrics for the most part of the video shows a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The video tells a story of what they've seen.

Music and Visuals:
- Devil speaks when words are spoken on his part.
- When they go 'Ahhhhhhhh', a heavenly light appears behind them. This shows the battle between good and evil.
- Relationship between Music and Visuals is clearly seen when there is the guitar solo. The makes a guitar appear and plays.  

Notion of Looking:
- When we hear the voices from outside the box. This is because we know whats going on the booth, whereas, others on the outside do not.
- Its like they are performing for us when inside the booth. Everything is inclosed and cramped.

Intertextual References:
- Dave Grohl plays the part of the Devil.
- Ben Stiller walks past when they bust out of the booth.