“Music videos reflect the social and cultural context in which they were made”

“Music videos reflect the social and cultural context in which they were made”

Discuss this statement through a comparison of the two music videos you have studied. One from list A (CBR) and one from list B (DG) - 770 words

the music video 'Stop Where you are', is set within a rundown estate/community in which the cultural aspects of the area represent the negative and oppressed opinions that are shared throughout. The representation associates her with the idea of transcending prejudice and inequality, which is achieved by placing her in an urban environment encountering young characters who are stereo typically on the edge of society. We see her interact with these characters at different points in the video. All of these actions show a balance in society when the chorus kicks in and the scenes become happier in the uplifting chorus.

The static long-shot of the figure, wearing a blue hoodie, (symbolizing sadness) presents a stereotypical teenage individual - lonely and misunderstood; the unknown identity almost seems as a threat but also gives the impression of an unnoticed or inaccessible figure; invisible in this society. Additionally, this particular person is placed to the far left of the shot, showing that she/he is on the edge of society, and their environment, in this urban world, is extremely overwhelming, resulting in a small and insignificant individual. Moreover, their body language is rather slouched and lent against the wall, almost as if they are seeking support and help but this society is failing to notice. However, this natural lighting somewhat juxtaposes this negative idea of being misunderstood and isolated, and supports the positive theme of seizing the moment and celebrating it.
In the mid-low shot of the group of girls charging towards the artist, a sense of anger towards our society or towards the singer herself as she is more superior is conveyed through their body language and facial expressions. The juxtaposition of the black and red (connoting passion and love - she wants to spread this message) clothing illustrates the artists power and her ability to change theirs and our perspectives. However it also represents anger, meaning she is also furious with this society and how we judge. Additionally, Corrine Rae throws her hands out to stop them on the lyrics “stop where you are”; the effect of the slow motion supports the message that everyone in this society rushes through life, we’re not seeing the important things that we used to - if you slow down, you’ll start to notice again. Another example is the high angled, static mid shot: despite being viewed in a negative way, due to her actions of screaming and grabbing the higher class/ working man (possibly representing how we stereo typically view homeless people - angry and aggressive), the light shines directly on her face, showing her importance and how this androgynous individual should be accepted in this society, regardless of her cultural background, status and class. Moreover, this homeless lady reappears in the foreground of a mid, level two shot, presenting herself and the upper class man equally; however he, unexpectedly, is out of focus, showing that he is listening to what she is saying (subverting) - the lady has a worth now, giving her purpose and is marginalized by society. Her body language contrasts to her previous attitude; she is seen in a positive light, happy and meaningful. The characters in this music video gradually become more important and accepted in society. They both appear close and comfortable - a sense of bonding and possible friendship.

In the music video 'Titanium', the boy is constantly under pressure and there is no uplifting moment, leaving him increasingly isolated and alone. The first shot tracks out of an extreme close up of the boys hands, reflecting a sense of unknown identity (linking to Corrine Bailey Rae’s theme of misunderstanding and lack of recognition.) The boy’s body language almost acts as a shield to protect himself from this society, his surroundings or from the metaphoric bullets (the lyrics meanings.) The shot jarringly transitions to him placed in the center, overwhelmed by his disruptive environment, almost blending into the disaturated background; invisible in this society. In the final shots, he appears insignificant compared to his surroundings - he is becoming isolated and pushed out into the world by social impacts. In this video there is also cultural context through intertextuality of the film 'Super 8' but more importantly through the metaphoric references of the american shootings and 'bullets' from the lyrics. The low level close up, side view of the shadowed gun could possibly reference the tragic shootings and the extremely short screen time could support the meaning of how the public, news, this society etc. almost ‘brushes/skips’ over the american shootings (context) as if they were insignificant to them. Moreover the shadow could represent the school bullies as they loom behind the house.