Music video analysis

Confessions part ii Music Video Analysis

In order to further develop own media production and to gain a better understanding of the in and out’s of creating, producing, and editing our own media projects. It was thought best to focus on Hip-Hop/RnB music, as we had decided this would be our chosen genre. By looking at this music video I would be able to gain an insight into target audience, different camera techniques and even creative ideas.

The video I analysed was Usher’s – Confessions part II. This video was a follow on from part 1. It is important to note that the song was from his own experiences and very personal. It is this key factor that may have had an affect on the making of the video and is again something we may be able to use.

The beginning of the video starts with Usher’s interlude in which he is talking on the phone. High key lighting has been used. This plays a larger part once the audience watches further into the music video. Soon enough, the lighting changes from high key to low key. The video becomes a lot darker and more intimate. The fact it is so light in the beginning is possibly because the status quo had not changed. After the phone call however this changes. Lighting could be suggestive of the protagonists, Usher’s, mood. Where at the beginning he was content. Now he has a secret. Something he has to get off his chest, so the music video follows his mood.

High-Key Lighting

     

                                      

Low-Key Lighting

To match the lighting is his clothing. From the images above it is very clear to see that in the first image,  his clothing is very light, and bright and generally a lot more happier. In the second image it is darker, and more dismal. Clothing is suggestive for the way the audience feels, where in the first image the audience themselves feel a lot more calm, a lot more happier. Where as watching Usher in his darker clothing, it reflects on the audience, viewing becomes a lot more intense.

One of the camera shots that stands out in the music video is the tracking shot at the beginning of the music video. Here an audience feels a very personal connection to Usher. Where he is walking away from everyone else, he is still with us (the audience).  Usher is singing into the camera which is tracking him. As if he is singing to us directly. Automatically the feel of the video changes, from something that was potentially a cheerful song. However once the status quo changes, the feel for the song turns dark, and a lot more intimate as he pours his heart out to the viewer. In many way the audience adopts the role of a friend, who Usher is confessing to.

A second technique used by Usher is silhouettes. Again playing on the use of light. The black could convey a meaning of darkness and unknown but more than that he is in a confession booth, playing on the words of the title. CONFESSIONS. As if he is confessing his sins to a Pastor.

Shots remain relatively low, and the video is broken down through the use of jump cuts. The fact Usher employs the use of so many jump cuts could fir the fact his mind is wandering as he reveals all his secrets to the audience.

|The narrative of the video follows the lyrics very closely.  However, rather than show the narrative through use of acting, Usher again simply reverts to the play on words of the title, revealing what he has done to the audience.

One thing to note is that Usher subverts the normal conventions of a Hip-Hop/RnB music video. For one he is the only actor seen, no one else, except for one case near the end.  Usher doesn’t use flashy cars, or special effects, or establishing shots. The general feel to the music video plays on the intimacy the audience feels with usher. Close up’s are the main shots used.

In the video it could be suggested usher aims not to represent any given social group. He is simply a man singing about his mistakes in life and in love.