Textual analysis of a music video

Textual analysis of a music video (The Black Eyed Peas- Where is the love?)


Mise-en-scene -
 There is a vast range of ethnicity and  represented within this video. Sterotypically, black people have been stereotyped as trouble makers in this music video through the policeman and the black boy. Furthermore, from the way in which black people are dressed presents them in a negative 'gangster' like way which deters people from wanting to socialise with them. Therefore, i believe that the question mark is asking why do we let other people control our thoughts, minds and feelings towards one another.

Camera angles
what angles are used and why?

 The use of the low angle shot of this man makes him seem like he is vunerable he is shouting for help from above. Connotations of religion are given off by this as god and heaven are seen to be from up above. This low angle shot makes him look although he is tired and weary and whatever is above him he is wanting to cure his pain or even answer his question. From the frequent question mark symbol throughout this video. The fact that he is old shows connotations that he has been waiting for this help for a long time. There is more low angle shots placed in both of these images of a black banner hanging down above the camera. This shows this question mark flag is dominating the camera, shot and whoever is standing below it staring up. Red is a symbol of danger as the colour is normally seen negatively, as a warning. The darkened surroundings of the buildings block out hope of help until you see the dreamy blue clear sky which has connotations of calmness.

The use of the question mark used through the video connotes that no one has the answer to why people act against each other the way they do. As well as linking to the chorus and title of the song ‘Where is the love?’ and backs up the point that they don’t know. The use of colours on the flag shows the danger and destruction of society and how people tend to answer the worlds hate for each other’s religion and race through terrorism and racism. The white and black could show representation of both place and white people and the diverse change of all the colours being bold and the use of different fonts such as graffiti, posh swirly text, bold blocked text shows not only type of subculture cant find the answers and this is made even more difficult through noone working together.

The different races and cultures presented all singing the lyrics of ‘where is the love?’ shows the unity of music and the end to political views through everyone wanting to know the same answers. The use of fast vehicles throughout and the sense of fast pedalling and the wheels shows the build up of individuals moving through life and how things never really stop. The speed of the cars on the roads and motorways tend to increase as the song gets further on showing the problem from beginning to end. To add the graffiti could be used as a sense of speech for people as they cant speak their mind due to the government taking action against them. Furthermore, the use of a black man being interrogated by the white policeman shares connotations that in countries such as America and all of their states black people are penerlized and always associated with crime.

The music video itself is all non-diegetic. It speaks about the way in which something is wrong with the world and how are all facing problems throughout life but struggling to find answers. That’s why the frequent symbol of the question mark is constantly used especially around ‘people killing, people dying’ ‘if you practice what you preach and you turn the other cheek’ this song was sung during Ariana Grandees one love Manchester to bring unity to all of those people struggling with hard times due to the subject of ‘terrorism’. This is a prime example of where music can truly help people through the words. Turn the other cheek shows we should be resilient and not fight back with anger buy with love and compassion for those who have died. The settings of the music video are set in council estates with low income and graffiti which means their target audience of poorer backgrounds can relate.

Analysing a successful music video will allow me to see what i need to include within my own music video and how each sub-heading one by one will make it easier to check i have included all of these important aspects within my music video.