Costume:
Range of tracksuits, varying in style, but all Adidas. Setting/Location:
Carpark, Tunnel, Playground, Shop: All filmed during the night Props:
Car, Playground area (monkey bars),
VIDEO 2
LADY LESHURR - Queens Speech 2
Costume:
Army pattered outfit, timberland boots Setting/Location:
Set at night in the streets of London (shot in one take) Props:
iPhone, Crown
VIDEO 3
SKEPTA - Shutdown
Costume:
black and white themed tracksuits. Setting/Location:
Estate area (day and night scenes) Props:
Dogs
From analysing these three Grime music videos, we have learnt that the costume tends to be more of an urban trend rather than glamorous. This includes tracksuits and other casual clothing. We have noticed that Stormzy's video featured him in Adidas clothing for the majority of the time, meaning that he was possibly sponsored by them - a fashionable and trendy brand. We have also noticed that a significant characteristic of location and setting for Grime music videos is that they are often set in an exterior place, mostly typical London estates. There are also minimal props in Grime music videos.
Nicki Minaj is an iconic artist of the 21st century. She inspires self confidence and promotes girl power. However, one of the most iconic things about her, is her body. In her video 'superbass' she is the one (at the start) to be covered up, while the men around her are in their underwear. At 0.16, we see the male's torso. This contradicts Mulvey's theory as it is the opposite gender being exposed. His body is being 'cut' by the camera to just show his sculpted chest. However, this changes at 0.32 as the man performing with Minaj is in a suit all covered up, while she is in a tight tank top (with her bra revealed) and short shorts. Even though, she is the one looking to be 'in control', her outfit seems to in a way downgrade her power.
At 0.49 when all the back up dancers are dressed the same as Nicki Minaj, it gives off the impression that this is how men want females to be dressed as (according to Mulvey's theory of course).
The scene in the pool (starting at 1.19) shows her in the pool with all the men in swimsuits along the poolside. Even though she is the one again to be somewhat covered up, while she is walking past the men, all eyes are on her. The way they watch her every move is like they are undressing her with their minds. Their glares say enough, that even though she is this strong female icon, men still look at her in that way. There is also the idea of her being alone in the pool, while all of the men stare at her from the outside. it gives off the idea that she is being portrayed as an animal in the zoo being targeted and glared at by the visitors.
Again at 2.21 when the scene comes on with the women dancing with the men, it shows the men sitting while the women dance around them. They get to relax while the women dance sexily next to them. I feel like this reflects the quote 'it's a man's world'.
Having a song from a males's perspective is very different than Nicki Minaj's video for instance. As in her video, she had some power and it wasn't just the females being portrayed sexually to the camera but also the males (when they were shirtless). However, in Akon's video it is only the women who are being portrayed as what Mulvey suggests.
From around 1.10, when Akon is entering the building, we see a bunch of muscles guys outside. This shows the representation of males vs. females. The men mainly dominate the start of the video. As soon as Akon is in the bulidng we see what is inside, a club filled with girls dancing half naked (as always!) At 1.20, we have a high angle of the camera looking straight down at a girl dancing. We of course, see her wearing minimal clothing with her boobs in the camera. This supports Mulvey's theory of the negative representation of females in music videos. The women in this music video are dressed to please the eyes of men. Showing the women at a low angle also suggests the power is taken from her, that she is on a lower level to the man and needs to look up to him.
We also see the men throughout this video in complete outfits, Akon, for example, is wearing a coat. This is like most Hip Hop videos where the women are exposing their bodies while the men enjoy the comfort of their clothing.
The way the men (for example, at 2.10) are looking at the women looks like they are eyeing piece of meat. Their look simply suggests more than a friendly conversation.
When Eminem's part comes on at 2.19, we see him sitting in a big leather chair that is at the front of the stage, while he has women parading for him. This suggests he is treating them as a show (again, supporting my earlier point in the Minaj video of her being treated like an animal) the girls are simply a pleasure for him and nothing more than an item.
