Turntables Media Language Flashcards
what is the aim of the performer?
to interpret the lyrics through a narrative. monae sings directly into the camera, involving the audience in th story. her involvement allows her to establish her star persona.
what does Monae use her music videos for?
to raise awareness of societal inequalities and issues that concern black americans. this is a protest song and employs codes and conventions. the strong beat is similar to a march and the powerful uplifting chorus.
what’s the aim of the song?
its inclusion in the documentary is to offer audio contribution to the movement and this is reinforced by the choice of images used to reflect issues.
what do the clothes connote?
different cultural codes are established through style and colours, suggesting the inclusivity and diveristy of the community. for example, the young girl and black women’s hairstyles carry cultural connotations. Monae’s 1940s army uniform relates to national identity.
what do the settings connote?
the location moves between archive footage locations, surreal settings and iconography of the ordinary home of a family having breakfast. the setting of the living room shows a young girl with an iconic, cultural hairstyle watching archive news footage through the VR headset. the mis-en-scene connotes a postive message that the scenes she’s witnessing are cosigned to history and she hasn’t lived through them.
what does the iconography connote?
the turntables at the start have literal connections with the lyrics. Monae dragging the statue of the warrior queen out the sea is more surreal, reinforces ideas of minorities standing up to injustice. juxtaposition with the flag and lyrics ‘america, you a lie’ suggests america has let people down.
what do the expressions and gestures connote?
the gestures of protest in the archive footage, the iconic and globally recognised black power raised fists. the upbeat atmosphere of the music video during the chorus is reinforced by waving, smiling and dancing (positivity).
what are the establishing shots?
the beach at the beginning and end construct the idea of freedom. the final shot of Monae with the statue combined with audio of the sea, leaves the audience calm and confident.
what do the close up shots connote?
close up shots of Monae and their determined expressions create an upbeat feeling and engagement with the audience.
what do the long shots connote?
Monae with her back turned, gesticulating to the flag connotes that the flag is a symbol of oppression. the long shot of the smiling face of the girl when she picks up the doll that represents her culture is positive and uplifting
what do the canted angles connote?
combined with the fast editing at the end of the video as the music builds creates a sense of disorientation reflecting the need to disrupt the statue.
what does the birds eye view connote?
of the BLM protests and colourful pride march signfies the strength of feeling about inequality.
what does the editing connote?
it cuts between black and white archive footage, contemporary news clips and Monae performing, establishing a cohesive message
what can be said about the audio?
the video starts with voice of James Baldwin (black american writer). his voice is used to remind audiences how long the suppression of minorities has been happening.
what can be said about the narrative?
it’s non-linear. Monae combines elements from past, present and future. archive footage to highlight the injustices of the past and those perpetrated in the present. the inclusion of happy children looks to a more positive future.
what can be said about the narrative strands?
features as a series of clips held together by the artist performing and engaging in direct mode of address, forcing the audience to engage with the issue. Monae acts as a storyteller.
what can be said about the structure of the narrative?
the video starts and ends in the same location. the narrative focuses on the central premise that there is a need for change and the tables to turn.
what can be said about the images?
highly illustrative, featuring literal interpretations of the lyrics. adds to the sense that a vivid story is being told with a clear message.
what’s Barthes semiotics theory?
how can Barthes theory be applied?
the images have deeper meaning in relation to the more abstract notion of challenging injustice. the american flag and raised fist connote complex meaning and can achieve the status of myth through naturalisation.
what’s Levi-Strauss’ structuralism theory?
how can Levi-Strauss be applied?
binary opposite between power and oppression. the video represents a shift in power, where the tables have been metaphorically turned. the dominant forces are in control at the beginning but Monae’s character challenges this power.
