media language Flashcards
what is the setting for the video?
an American urban environment
what is the setting of the video familiar from?
80s movies like The Warriors and Do the Right Thing
though it was shot in a number of cities, where was the majority filmed?
the majority was filmed on the 20th Century Fox ‘NYC’ backlot in Los Angeles
what is the location where majority of the video scenes were filmed a reminiscent of?
a stereotypical ‘ghetto’ often associated with American Black and Latino culture
what does ‘uptown funk’ conforms to the music video convention of?
focusing on performance: - a fun group dance routine and singalong on the street
what does ‘uptown funk’ conforms to the music video convention in a nightclub?
followed by a live performance with full instrumentation in a night club
how does the video potentially adds to it ‘authentic’ appeal?
There is very little narrative or concept compared to other contemporary music videos
what are most shots considered as?
medium or long shots
who are in most of the shots? (2)
Mars and members of The Hooligans (Mars’ band)
what are the people doing in the shots?
dancing and having a fun time
what is the dance routine like?
There is some synchronicity to the dance routine, but individuals regularly break into their own style, whilst staying in rhythm.
what does the ‘unpolished’ choreography make Mars and his friends seem?
‘identifiable’
what does the video mainly function as there is little narrative to engage the viewer?
to accentuate the beat of the music, the fun atmosphere and, later, an exciting live performance
what makes audience feel as if they are dancing with them?
In the first verse, Mars and his friends dance towards us as the camera dollies back
accentuate
to make (something) more prominent or noticeable
what does the fast and funky rhythm accentuated by?
the performers’ handclaps and finger clicks
how is the artist framed?
at the centre of the shot
camaraderie
mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together
what is the artist’s camaraderie with the others shown by them?
his camaraderie with the others is shown by them regularly leaning into shot to deliver a line along with Mars
what is the artist’s camaraderie with the others shown links to?
the collaborative writing of the song: along with Mark Ronson, eleven other writers are credited
what are the many conventionally urban’ elements to the video, familiar from?
the ‘Blaxploitation’ film genre: brownstone houses, men playing dominos on the sidewalk, fast food diners, fire hydrants etc.
what are the costumes of the performers like? (4)
shades
suit jacket over t-shirt
single chains
hats
what are the costumes of the performers familiar from?
urban crime dramas from the 80s such as Miami Vice, reflecting an element of intertextuality
what happens in the second part of the video?
the performers dance and sing around a stretch limo
what does the 2nd part of the video symbolises?
a symbol of ‘conspicuous wealth’.
conspicuous
clearly visible
attracting notice or attention
why are limos often hired by groups of male friends?
for events like stag parties, so this also fits in with the atmosphere of ‘feel good’ male friendship
what does the final part of the video moves into?
a nightclub
how is the viewer positioned in the audience in the final part of the video? (3)
by low-angle shots
silhouettes of other crowd members dancing occasional cuts to on-stage shots of the performers playing the instruments that have been audible throughout.
in the final part of the video, what does the live performance accentuates?
the ‘authentic’ nature of the song as well as the skill and status of the performers.
