Music Video Analysis "Problem"

"Problem" by Ariana Grande is a performative based song meaning it has largely images of performance. Grande has stated that the song is about "the feeling of being absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that`s gone sour - but you want to more than anything". 

As part of the mise en scene the music video has a retro and archaic black and white theme. The performance involves a group of dancers both male and female performing a modern dance routine. Low and high key lighting is used, this could represent how Grande is feeling or the relationship. The setting of the music video seems to be in a room with the black, white and pink background which are photos from a photo shoot. The photos make the video eye-catching and create a fun and vibrant feel, it also creates a unique twist because music videos today don`t have a 1960s theme. The effect of this on the audience is that it can make some viewers nostalgic. The outfits worn match the setting, Grande wears a black dress with white boots and the back up dancers also wear black and white. The male back up dancers are wearing open shirts and Grande is wearing a
short dress this can make the video seem alluring as the outfits may be
seen by some as "seductive".

The music video starts with a long shot, this allows us to see Grande, the back up dancers and most of the background. The shots in the video have a fast tempo which keep the song upbeat. A range of camera shots are used from over the shoulder shots and mid shots to close ups and extreme close ups of Big Sean who makes an appearance in the video along with Iggy Azalea who is featured. The target audience of the video
 is mostly aimed at females and people who are in
 relationships.

Overall the fact that the music video is largely based on performance gives it a hopeful message. Also as the video is vivacious it makes the viewers want to get up and dance.

What I liked/might use:
I liked that the music video had a retro theme and sticking with this idea I would consider using a filter. Filters such as grey scale or perhaps
sepia in my music video to represent a particular
point in time or to show flashbacks.

What I didn't like/wont use: 

I didn't like that in the music video the outfits
worn can make the video seem alluring. Therefore
my music video wont contain this element; especially
if it has narrative with a deep meaning as it can take
away the conventions of a narrative based music video. 

Music Video Analysis "Jealous"

"Jealous" by Labrinth is a narrative based song, it is addressed to one of Labrinth`s parents, who left the family when he was young. Labrinth has offered the following explanation: " A lot of people have been through that experience. It`s kind of written from the perspective of how my family felt at the time, but I wanted to write it so that anyone could dig into the song and relate to it to their own situation. 

MTV describes the song as a " heart-breaking ballad". We feel sympathy towards Labrinth as the lyrics are powerful "But I always thought you`d come back, tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery" this conveys emotion. Throughout the whole music video Labrinth is shown on his own isolated in a room, this evokes loneliness, in addition low key lighting is used to represent negative feelings. Over the shoulder shots and mid shots are used in the video, furthermore close-ups are included. These shots enable us to understand how Labrinth is feeling and he expresses how he feels through hand gestures. where he puts his hand on his chest to show the hurt and pain.

These pictures of Labrinth are from the music video, from what we see they emphasise how he feels because of his facial expressions which point out how empty he feels. Therefore this supports the narrative.

The target audience for this song is aimed at both males and females of any age, because the aim is for people to connect and relate to the lyrics.

What I liked/might use:
I like that the music video contains close-ups to
express how Labrinth feels. I might use the idea
of close-ups to express feelings, additionally using
hand gestures and facial expressions to support the
close ups.