Analysis of real video

Within this blog, I will be analysing a real music video. I will be looking at mise -en-scene, setting, editing and camera angles.

Kehlani - Distraction

Within this music video, it is clear that only a few rooms are used throughout; this may even be the same room with different props used to make it look different. The room is dressed up in certain colours depending on which part of the song it is, with each bit in different colours and different props. For example, within the first scene, the colours are all white which then progresses to a darker room. Although, there are snippets within this first scene which foreshadows rooms coming up further on in the music video. The specific colours within each room create a clear aesthetic for the song, creating a 'chilled vibe'.

In regards to mise-en-scene, there is very minimal clothing worn by Kehlani worn throughout the music video. This then shows the sexualisation that she is trying to create within the video. Even when she is wearing boots and baggy bottoms, she pairs it with a crop top/bralette showing her midriff. This could be justified by saying that she just wants to create her trademark by showing off all of her tattoos. Another use of mise-en-scene is the dancers seen within the background of her first scene. This creates a dramatic performance but also bring Kehlani to the foreground due to her positioning. This makes her almost overshadow the dancers and makes you focus more on her. Within this music video there is also a use of a sofa and bed which creates for a sexual scene between her and one of the dancers. This then conforms to the typical stereotypes of an R&B music video because woman are being sexualised by men like they are normally in music videos. This is also evidence for the male gaze which is typically seen within music videos where women's bodies are seen as sexual objects.

There are also luxury objects shown throughout such as designers headphones, gold chains and silk clothing. This the shows the sort of theme that she is going for within the music video because there are a lot of close ups used to show off these luxury items.

The lighting is also different depending on the room that is used within that moment. For example, it changes dramatically from a bright white room to a dark room. This creates for a change in mood because the tempo of the song the changes to a slower verse.

The camera angles are very effective within this music video. For example, there are variety between long shots and close-ups. The use of long shots show the entire room and the aesthetic for that moment. They also show the entire of her body also to show her as a sexual object and showing the audience the small amount of clothing that she is wearing. The use of close-ups show the way that the male is treating the female. This can be seen with the focus on the males hands on the females body. Close ups are also used to sexualise the body of Kehlani by showing her chest area and bum as the male is grabbing it. This then attracts the male attention to her, then subliminally promoting her to the males.

There is a lot of effective and well timed editing used within this music video. An example of this is proof of Goodwin's theory in use. There are a lot of thought beats used where the shots cut quickly due to the beat of the music being quick. Furthermore, there is a change in continuity from close ups to long shots which allows for the music to be emphasised. There is also a smooth transition in editing when Kehlani walks from room to room. This then changes the atmosphere of the music video because the pace and tempo of the music changes as she changes room. This use of editing skills entices the audience because they are left wanting to see what room and what turn the music will take next.