Production Log 1

 

Having researched a wide number of different rap videos, we have identified a number of codes and conventions we are going to use in our music video:

-Cultural signifiers: expensive clothes, cars and jewelry.  To appeal to the aspirers within the demographic target audience of teenagers.

-Slow tilts and pans of the artists. To create brand recognition of the artists. The purpose of the music video is to advertise the artists so they need to be represented positively as much as possible.

-Narrative – storyline about a relationship breakup. Which is relatable to the teenage target audience

comparing the cinematography in different rap videos

1. In the first video by Cardi B called Bodak yellow, we see lots of high angle shots to help establish the location of the music video as the location can be very key in establishing how the music video plays out. In the next couple of scenes, there is a variation of shots for example the low angle shot this has been used to help give the artist cardi b a sense of power as she looks like shes towering over the camera, furthermore wide-angle and close-ups have been used. the wide-angle shots have been used to show off the various other locations with the artist in the background with various other aspects like exotic animals. The close-up shots have been used to show the emotion of the artist within the music video.  

2. The second video is by 6ix9ine and is the song, Gotti at the start of the video we see a view tracking shots following around the girls cast in the music video but also we see panoramic shots of the view in the background of the whole music video this yet again helps establish some sort of location for the video. In addition, we see a lot of close-ups to show the rappers expensive jewelry around his neck this is to portray to the audience that he is wealthy and powerful as well as to show the group of girls he has behind him to show off that money can buy you anything you want

.

3. The final video is Going Bad by Drake and Meek Mill the video again starts with a panoramic showing off the whole building the artists are in as well as there is a sky view of the building from the outside that has been taken by a helicopter. Moreover, we then see medium and wide-angle shots this is to show that the artists are with a huge group of people that has some special appearances like Nipsey Hussle and T.I this has been done purposely so the audiences notice these artists. Furthermore, we also get a full 360 view around a rolls Royce as it crashes in the music video we get to see the camera from a close up where it comes right at the camera to a wide-angle shot where we see it crash. 

comparing the representation in different rap videos

1.femenists such as Laura Mulvey would be very critical of the representation of women in this video because the blonde woman is represented as an object. She is wearing very little and looks like a playboy bunny. Travis Scott does not respect her, he treats her like a stripper, throwing money over her. She is represented as a 'dumb blonde' and is not offended by this, instead, she is happy dancing on the bed. It seems that she is actually s stripper or is dancing in a bar in her bra. Again, this is representing her as an object and feminists would think that this would have a very negative effect on both males and females. This representation is typical of rap videos. 

2. in this second video by Lil baby the artist is using his platform to discuss a very big issue in the modern world which is police brutality towards the African American community in the united states of America in the video we can see the artist using a filter that allows the video to be in black and white this has been done to portray that society shouldn't see color only what the person is like on the inside. in the video, there are various video clips of protests in the video to try and give the audience a glimpse of what is happening in America which people may be oblivious to from other parts around the world. the video uses real people to try and portray the feelings of the whole country.

 

3. conventionally within hip hop music videos males are the most common artists within the genre so within their videos they tend to be portrayed as a symbol of power and to be desired by their audience they do this by flaunting their jewelry to the camera as well as they show hundreds of thousands of dollars worth in cars and cash one example of this is war by Pop smoke and Lil tjay, as soon as the video starts we see pop smoke wearing designer head to toe furthermore we can see a very luxurious car a couple of scenes later this has been done to again reiterate that the artist is desirable and powerful due to their wealth.

 

Comparing mise en scene in different rap music videos

In the first music video, we see the mise en scene which is loads or bright and vibrant colors as well as expensive jewelry and good-looking girls, which is very convenient for this type of music genre, where artists show off money and girls they have. The music video itself is high budget and includes some unconventional for a rap, video props such as puppies, which represent softness and bright colors that usually represent childhood and innocence. 

 

“Knock You Down” by Keri Hilson. Mise en scene, There were several variations in costume between the singers that helped the story evolve in the video. Kanye West and Ne-yo produced acts to go with what they said. Keri Hilson was wearing a white top that proved she was innocent in the entire scenario and lying on a white bedsheet, too. She also sang in front of a white backdrop that varies from the other singers. Keri Hilson fell onto the bed to show that she was knocked down, which refers to the song's title. The singers are continually knocked down, but they get back up again. Goodwin's rules were used because there was a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals as well as the lyrics and the    

LSD BY Asap Rocky: In this music video there are numerous scenes with bright/neon lights that have been done to attract the viewer and get them to continue watching. Furthermore, the use of different outfits has been done to indicate setting change, the video has been set in Tokyo where the nightlife is supposed to be very exciting. The outfits used are more bright colors this has been done to bring more attention to the person on screen, for example, the very good looking is wearing bright orange this has been done to bring more attention to the girl as asap rocky's main audience is males