B: My Top 5 Music Video's

1. Example, Stay Awake.

-One music video which particularly interested and entertained me was Example’s video for the song stay awake. The main narrative of the video is inspired by the idea of a generation of people so excited by music videos that they stay awake all night.

-I particularly like the accessibility of the video to the audience, this is shown through the strong cultural codes such as the setting of the video and the famous London landmarks and British countryside shown throughout the video meaning that an audience is able to form a connection with the song. This is also anchored by the Aural signifier's such as the predominantly British grain of voice that example has giving an ordinary perspective of him. This is then as ‘Richard Dyer’ states in his first paradox, contrasted with the extraordinary perspective of Example as an artist and of a star when he sings in the white studio with only his logo in the background.

-Example also uses first person mode of address when looking into the camera and seeming very close to the audience. Through forceful delivery of his lyrics as well as his non verbal language being aggressive in some parts example shows his power. As well as conforming to the typical conventions and stereotypes of masculinity.

-The male actors in the video also conform to the gender stereotype both through the use of their non verbal language as well as semiotics such as their costume and their physical form being very muscular and strong looking again conforming to the conventions of a male being shown as strong thus heroic. Female actors throughout the video also conform to these stereotypical conventions of gender in that they wear revealing costumes and are positioned within scenic settings connoting their beauty.

-The Mise en scene used in the video supports its genre of being very indie. Costume in particular is a key aspect of the video, the costume of the rabbit for example hold a direct link to the lyrics as well as creating a sense of wonderland which connotes the indie feel. The other costumes are also very unique and interesting such as Flowers as a bra which again connotes the idea of very different and unusual world. Inter-textual links to the film Alice in Wonderland are represented highly throughout the video again giving the audience a sense of excitement and entertainment.

-Another aspect of the video which I found interesting is the sense of excitement in which the audience are able to feel from watching it, the location as well as props such as the old car and the caravan as well as the random furniture positioned around the woods give a sense of a secret location. This then gives a sense of it being illegal for them to be there thus making it exciting as well as accessible for the audience.

-After finding this music video there are many aspect in which I feel make a good video, the setting and costume used in this video are particularly effective.

2. Sara Bareilles, King of Anything.



- What i particularly liked about this music video was the effect created by using the split screen effect. I think that this makes the video very entertaining to the audience thus creating a performance and giving Sara Bareilles a star image as she is present throughout the whole video. The split screen effect works well to show the story of her day but also gives the video another dimension again making it very entertaining to watch.

- The props used in the video are another aspect in which i think works really well, the use of every day objects such as the knives and forks used to represent her playing the piano look really effective as well as working as a way to make her accessible to the audience. Showing that she lives a normal life.

-One part of the video which i think the split screen works particularly well is when she is shown on the bus, the steady movement of the journey is empahasised by the slight movement of the different screens enabling the audience to feel as if they are part of the film again making it a source of entertainment.

3. Ellie Goulding, Guns and Horses.

- The main thing i like about this music video is the location, the woods is a really effective place to shoot a music video because it acts as a space for a new world to be created thus creating a great sense of excitement for the audience and opens a whole new world of possibility's.

- One particular aspect of this music video which i liked is the shots of the horse, using animals in a music video is typical of a indie style music video. This also reinforces the idea of a new world and humans being at one with nature.

-Throughout the video meat shots back to Ellie Goulding are used in order to create a star image. The video also uses the first person mode of address to attract the audience and to make her seem accessible to the audience. In contrast to this the representation of another world makes her seem Un accessible to the audience following 'Richard Dyer's' first paradox, keeping the audience interested and making the video re-watchable.

4. Ed Sheeran, A Team.

-The music video for this song works really well to show the narrative in which the lyrics explain, the dull lighting and black and white effect used in the video connote the negativity of the video. I like this video and think it works effectively as it is narrative based therefore acts as a story teller to the audience.

-The cultural codes present in the video are very British for example the train station and streets of London making it accessible, this enables the audience to connect with the video thus the artist.

-One shot imparticular which i think is effective and represents the song well is the shot of the girl in the mirror as the audience get to see a CU shot of her face, this enables them to sympathise with her and allows a greater understanding of the song.

5. Kate Nash, Foundations.



-The mise en scene used in this video such as the bright lighting and interesting props make it very interesting to watch for the audience. The narrative of the video is determined by the lyrics of the song thus helping the audience understand the message in which the song was made to give.

-Cultural codes such as the typically British dress and typical house setting make it accessible to the audience helping them to connect with Kate Nash, she comes across as being very accessible in that she sings directly into the camera in some shots, using the first person mode of address. The location being in a typical house also makes it accessible to a British audience again allowing the audience to feel close to the artist.

-One part of the video imparticular that i think made it interesting was the animatic of the two socks, this like the lyrics of the song give a sense of humour to the video giving it a light heated feel and letting the audience enjoy it.