1) What other projects has Common been involved in over recent years?
Common performs at Tribeca Talks: Common with Nelson George during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios on April 23, 2017 in New York City.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
To abolish slavery and involuntary servitude except if it is an punishment for a crime.
3) What were the Black Codes?
They were laws governing the conduct of Americans (free blacks).
4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?
The effects of slavery are still present until this day which is why its a crucial aspect.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
I was always disturbed and fascinated by and furious with what we were not talking about the fact that, you know multi-billion dollar companies were profiting off of black bodies and people from my community, in prison.”
6) Focusing on genre, what was the most significant time period for the rise in political hip hop?
In the late '80s and '90s that was truly reflective of a movement.
7) Common talks about other current artists that have a political or protest element to their music. Who are they? Are there any other hip hop artists that you are aware of that have a strong political element to their work?
Big Daddy kane, Kendrick Lamar,Chance the rapper, Mo.D, NWA. Other hip hop artists who I think have a strong element is J Cole because he reflects his battle against police brutality in his songs and has been doing it for years.
8) What album is Letter to the Free taken from? What was the critical reception for this album?
Black America again album. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 88, based on 13 reviews.
Close-textual analysis and representation
Re-watch the music video several times to complete the following tasks in specific detail:
1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).
There are a lot of closeup shots which may indicate that the music video is giving an audience an insight on the wider societal issues such as racism which gains media coverage. The camera seems to move closer in and zoom In which may indicate they audience are getting closer to understanding the truth of how common racism is.
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
It follows action and by reveals information about the setting as the audience takes it in.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
To represent the unequal division between the black and white race.
4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
All the actors seem to be wearing basic and casual outfits to portray the message that equality between races should be a basic human right. The lighting is quite dim and dull which shows that oppression to a race or racism in general brings darkness and trouble instead of happiness and causes more harm than good. The actors seem to be in a large room where there are only one or two of them which could show how black people stand out in a crowd of white people and are treated dfferently.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
He openly states in the song "black lives matter" which is the true meaning of the song because he is trying to preach that black lives are just as important as white lives.
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif? Discuss your own interpretations alongside Common's explanation of it in the Billboard feature linked above.
The square motif may represent the emerging of an objectified and oppressed black race to a non-objective race.
7) How does the video reference racism, slavery and the oppression of black culture? Make reference to specific shots, scenes or moments in the video.
There are lots of cells which could be referring to how black people were kept captivated ,enslaved and were held against their own free will by white people. The one man held in the cell may indicate the siaoltion back people faces which prevented them from interactions with each other.8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
Gilroy believed that black identity was created by the scattering of black people who found traditions over the world and combined it thus not having an original indentity which is what message common is trying to convey.
9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.
Stuart hall states that the media has an intentional approach to construct news solely based on how they want the audience to view a world controlling their mindset which relates to commons music video which states that the media provides coverage of the oppression black people face because they don't want an audience to view white people as oppressors and black people as the oppressed.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?
Police brutality for once consists of a majority of black people being attached to a label or stereotype which makes police officers believe that they are a threat due to the message that has been conveyed through the media. Thus resulting in the police officers murdering innocent black males and females because of their internalised or institutional racism.
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
music video theory
1) How does the This Is America video meet the key conventions of a music video? Look back at last week's introduction to music video if you're not sure.
This is America has a clear narrative where the lyrics based on the gun violence in America which has oppressed a black minority are illustrated by the use of police cars and shooting of black actors in the music video. The movement in this music video is a hip hop dance style particularly related to black culture.
2) What comment is the video making on American culture, racism and gun violence?
The video shows the corruption of America where gun violence is the main factor used against a black minority group. Donald shows throughout the video how after each shooting of the black minority, the police proceed to handle the gun with more care than the people showing how little black lives matter in America and how consistent racism is. Donalds pose in the beginning represents the old representations of black men who were considered to look like clowns and jokers. The many crimes being committed in the back with flashing cars whilst the kids proceed to dance shows how America does not face their crimes but rather ignores it and does not address it to the media.
3) Write an analysis of the video applying the theories we have learned: Gilroy, Hall, Rose and Dyson. Write a short paragraph for each theory.
Gilroy- States that Black people music culture consists of diasporic experiences which is evident in This is America because Donald shows a resistance to the white capitalists who oppress the black minority with gun violence and are served no justice for these crimes committed against them. Donald brings lights to the situation and informs an audience which is a form of resistance.
Hall- States that media blur race and class which is evident in this since all the black actors seem to be wearing clothes of small value indicating that the white capitalist believe that all black people are instantly of the working class.
Now read this Guardian feature on This Is America - including the comments below.
4) What are the three interpretations suggested in the article?
He is acting as Jim Crow who was a black minstrel meaning the black people are still seen as minstrels, he is taking on the police by stating that "tool" such as phones document their gun violence putting them in a vulnerable position since their crimes will be openly viewed on media, he is duping us with a dance to distract us from the rioting in the background showing how America masks their crimes.
5) What alternative interpretations of the video are offered in the comments 'below the line'? Choose two and explain what the comments are suggesting.
It is a way to show America has come to an acceptance of violence and murder which is why no justice has been served and why these crimes have not been solved. Another comment states that the message America is evil and racist is quite obvious and believes there is another hidden message which may be of its link to other countries and its reviled around the world.
Media Magazine - This Is America: Music, Politics and Protest
Read This Is America: Music, Politics and Protest in MM65 (p14). You can find this in our Media Magazine archive. Answer the following questions:
1) The article offers an excellent textual analysis of the opening of the video. What are some of the suggested meanings and references the writer discusses? Can you link this analysis to any of the theorists we have studied?
2) What does the writer suggest are the main political themes in the video - and why is the message unclear?
3) What meanings and suggestions does the writer highlight in Beyonce's video for Formation?
4) What is notable about Glover's comedy drama TV show Atlanta?
5) What examples does the writer provide of hip hop as a political genre? What theorist can we link this to?
This is America has a clear narrative where the lyrics based on the gun violence in America which has oppressed a black minority are illustrated by the use of police cars and shooting of black actors in the music video. The movement in this music video is a hip hop dance style particularly related to black culture.
2) What comment is the video making on American culture, racism and gun violence?
The video shows the corruption of America where gun violence is the main factor used against a black minority group. Donald shows throughout the video how after each shooting of the black minority, the police proceed to handle the gun with more care than the people showing how little black lives matter in America and how consistent racism is. Donalds pose in the beginning represents the old representations of black men who were considered to look like clowns and jokers. The many crimes being committed in the back with flashing cars whilst the kids proceed to dance shows how America does not face their crimes but rather ignores it and does not address it to the media.
3) Write an analysis of the video applying the theories we have learned: Gilroy, Hall, Rose and Dyson. Write a short paragraph for each theory.
Gilroy- States that Black people music culture consists of diasporic experiences which is evident in This is America because Donald shows a resistance to the white capitalists who oppress the black minority with gun violence and are served no justice for these crimes committed against them. Donald brings lights to the situation and informs an audience which is a form of resistance.
Hall- States that media blur race and class which is evident in this since all the black actors seem to be wearing clothes of small value indicating that the white capitalist believe that all black people are instantly of the working class.
Now read this Guardian feature on This Is America - including the comments below.
4) What are the three interpretations suggested in the article?
He is acting as Jim Crow who was a black minstrel meaning the black people are still seen as minstrels, he is taking on the police by stating that "tool" such as phones document their gun violence putting them in a vulnerable position since their crimes will be openly viewed on media, he is duping us with a dance to distract us from the rioting in the background showing how America masks their crimes.
5) What alternative interpretations of the video are offered in the comments 'below the line'? Choose two and explain what the comments are suggesting.
It is a way to show America has come to an acceptance of violence and murder which is why no justice has been served and why these crimes have not been solved. Another comment states that the message America is evil and racist is quite obvious and believes there is another hidden message which may be of its link to other countries and its reviled around the world.
Media Magazine - This Is America: Music, Politics and Protest
Read This Is America: Music, Politics and Protest in MM65 (p14). You can find this in our Media Magazine archive. Answer the following questions:
1) The article offers an excellent textual analysis of the opening of the video. What are some of the suggested meanings and references the writer discusses? Can you link this analysis to any of the theorists we have studied?
2) What does the writer suggest are the main political themes in the video - and why is the message unclear?
3) What meanings and suggestions does the writer highlight in Beyonce's video for Formation?
4) What is notable about Glover's comedy drama TV show Atlanta?
5) What examples does the writer provide of hip hop as a political genre? What theorist can we link this to?
music video: introduction
1) What is the purpose of a music video?
The purpose of music videos is to sell the product.
2) How has the digital age changed the production and distribution of music videos?
Media technologies have developed in middle age making music videos to be more widely spread and distributed because they were able to be uploaded to hosting sites which were viewed using portable devices such as iPhones so that they could access it at any time.
3) Which three major record labels are behind VEVO? What is VEVO and why was it created?
Sony music entertainment,universal music group and Abu Dhabi media. It is a video hosting site specifically for music videos.
4) What are the key conventions of a music video?
Movement, narrative and band/artist.
5) How can narrative be used in music video? Give an example of a music video that uses a narrative.
The narrative may relate to the songs lyrics and illustrate what is being said giving an audience a visual picture to help them understand the music better. An example is I was a teenage anarchist by against me who used a loose narrative which fitted with the lyrics of the song.
6) What examples are provided in the factsheet for intertextuality in music videos?
All the small things music video made references to Christina Aguilera genie in a bottle. Cheerleaders in teenagers music video makes references to smells like teen spirits by Nirvana.
7) Why do audiences enjoy intertextual references in media products?
It allows them to feel pressure when they recognise the reference.
8) Read the music video example analysis on page 3 of the factsheet. Select a music video of your own choice and write your own analysis using the following headings:
9) Watch the video for Ice Cube's It Was A Good Day (1993). How did this video set the conventions for later hip-hop music videos?
The clothing style and the typical 1900s conventional car is now used and mirrored in hip hop music videos. The narrative is based on crimes committed by a small minority and gang culture which is now featured in hip hop music videos.
10) How important do you think music videos are in the marketing and promotion of music artists in 2018? Are music videos essential to a band or artist's success?
Music videos are essential to a band and artists success because they receive more likes than just a lyric or audio video because it helps illustrate the songs lyrics giving an audience a deeper understanding. The movement in music videos usually capture an audiences attention especially if they use a provocative dancing method resulting in the male gaze.
The purpose of music videos is to sell the product.
2) How has the digital age changed the production and distribution of music videos?
Media technologies have developed in middle age making music videos to be more widely spread and distributed because they were able to be uploaded to hosting sites which were viewed using portable devices such as iPhones so that they could access it at any time.
3) Which three major record labels are behind VEVO? What is VEVO and why was it created?
Sony music entertainment,universal music group and Abu Dhabi media. It is a video hosting site specifically for music videos.
4) What are the key conventions of a music video?
Movement, narrative and band/artist.
5) How can narrative be used in music video? Give an example of a music video that uses a narrative.
The narrative may relate to the songs lyrics and illustrate what is being said giving an audience a visual picture to help them understand the music better. An example is I was a teenage anarchist by against me who used a loose narrative which fitted with the lyrics of the song.
6) What examples are provided in the factsheet for intertextuality in music videos?
All the small things music video made references to Christina Aguilera genie in a bottle. Cheerleaders in teenagers music video makes references to smells like teen spirits by Nirvana.
7) Why do audiences enjoy intertextual references in media products?
It allows them to feel pressure when they recognise the reference.
8) Read the music video example analysis on page 3 of the factsheet. Select a music video of your own choice and write your own analysis using the following headings:
- Conventions (movement/narrative/artist)- Hip Hop dancing, the artist is trying to give herself motivation to gain her self worth, Normani.
- Intertextuality-The dancing style was similar to the old hip hop dancing style which is present in Bruno Mars music video finesse.
- Representation-Normani is represented as independent and in a way an alpha female since she seems to be leading everyone else . Her hip hop dance style also mirrors hardcore dancing making her seem quite fierce and confident.
- Audience-The target audience would be teenage females because they are at the prime age of struggling with their self confidence and this video would motivate them tp change their mindset.
- Institution- She is signed to the RCA records and Syco music however the video was produced by Vevo.
9) Watch the video for Ice Cube's It Was A Good Day (1993). How did this video set the conventions for later hip-hop music videos?
The clothing style and the typical 1900s conventional car is now used and mirrored in hip hop music videos. The narrative is based on crimes committed by a small minority and gang culture which is now featured in hip hop music videos.
10) How important do you think music videos are in the marketing and promotion of music artists in 2018? Are music videos essential to a band or artist's success?
Music videos are essential to a band and artists success because they receive more likes than just a lyric or audio video because it helps illustrate the songs lyrics giving an audience a deeper understanding. The movement in music videos usually capture an audiences attention especially if they use a provocative dancing method resulting in the male gaze.
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