This first music video is for The Script's song "Break even"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQHyBMXFTaw
I consider this a conventional music video because it holds certain qualities rife within love song videos and its rock/pop genre. The integrated memory shots are generic within love songs and in this video they are thus amplified by the way in which they are the only pieces of footage that are in colour and the reality scenes are black and white to connote a sense that his life is incomplete and bleak without her.
The mise-en-scene mirrors this view as the reality scenes with the male protagonist are set in an urban atmosphere with paint peeling off the walls which fits in with the lyrics 'falling to pieces'. There are bars encircling the building, as can be seen in the shot below, showing his entrapment not being able to get her out of his mind! The use of red is also very commonly used in media to do with love as here the dark red of the door signifies the couples lost passion and the danger in their relationship. Pathetic fallacy was also used when the weather is overcast, dark and cold the main protagonist is on his own. These are juxtaposed with the memory scenes are set in the light airy out doors near the sea with enhanced colours to create an image of happiness and fulfillment.
Sometimes music videos are abstract and don't use any lip sinked lyrics, however in this genre with this type of love song almost all the lyrics can be seen to be sung by the lead singer whose point of view the video has as main protagonist because this is a form of advertising the band, meaning that they not only need to be able to sing but also to act.
Another conventional element of this video is the live performance footage with extreme close-ups of the instruments and of the strong stage lights shining through as the music is played. These extreme close ups are also used in the sexual scenes with blurred images of bare skin/tattoos, this gets the images across but at the same time leaves ambiguity, also because it is blurred it seems like it never happened.
The slow motion zooms in and out of his face draw attention to him and slow zooms are conventional of love song videos. In addition to this by zooming in the audience is getting an insight into his feelings whereas when it zooms out it distances him from the memory shots that follow.For all these reasons I consider this video conventional to its genre and to music videos in general.
This second video I want to discuss is a stark contrast to the first one and is for 50Cent's song "Candy Shop":
My dislike for Rap and R&B music videos is perfectly portrayed within this video as the conventions of the genre are generally men showing off their expensive cars, jewellery and list of sexy women begging for it.
I find these sorts of video from point of view of the male gaze quite offensive and even more so with the lyrics and the fact that young boys are listening to this and being taught that women are play objects. The mise-en-scene is very generic with the rich surroundings of what looks like a staely home and the large grey fur coat (shown below), even the size of the rooms/hall in which the dancers are standing show the amount of money he is trying to convey not to mention the red car at the beginning of the video that reappears a few times.
I can't bear to watch this video anymore i am feeling slightly violated and angry; however i would like to sum up with the statement that the conventions of rap and R&B music are quite sexist and degrading to women!
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