GCSE MEDIA COMPONENT 2 MUSIC VIDEOS Music video

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The pin-hole close up of a lady’s smiling mouth …gives the impression that women will be the centre of attention in this music video. The pin-hole close up of the lady’s eyes as she gives a direct address to the camera… …reinforces the woman’s The producer’s intentions is to intensity as if she is aware that objectify this woman. The she is being observed. periscope vision has a voyeuristic quality. The pin-hole close up of her mouth as she laughs… …represents an obsessive focus on her which is disturbing. The binocular vision long shot of a …highlights the role of vision broken mirror reforming in reverse being broken and retime… established throughout the music video. The effect on the spectator is either to find the woman’s attractiveness appealing or be concerned by the extreme focus on her body parts. These initial shots create the impression of a theme surrounding the male gaze in relation to female characters who are elevated by their physical beauty. This metaphoric representation gives the impression that Duran create artistic concepts and symbols in their music video to give a variety of meanings.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The over-the-shoulder shot of a man using binoculars to spy on an unassuming woman lying down in a bikini… …emphasises the voyeuristic nature of men who objectify women. The use of squares symbolises when men frame women like a work of art. The spectator is disturbed by this male pre-occupation. We are unsure if Duran are shaming men who do this or are glorifying it. The close up of a man in lipstick in aviator sunglasses with a reflection of a woman in a yellow dress… …shows that men continue to look at women, observing their beauty. The producer’s intention is to show that straight men can have feminine qualities but their desire for women remains. The medium shot of a posing woman in a purple dress with an angled framing… …suggests that she may be at a fashion shoot. The fact that she is smiling and happy suggests that she likes to be looked at. Duran seem to be endorsing objectification if women consent to this behaviour. The direct address three shot of band members rolling red balls on a boat whilst wearing bright suits with backcombed hair… …gives an impression of their style and fashion sense. It is clear that their persona blends fashionable culture with high art and abstract ideas.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The direct address medium shot of a painted woman in the sea with green paint being splashed on her body… …has erotic connotations as she poses for the camera. She is presented as otherworldly and mysterious. Duran have blended ideas from art and sex in order to create a culture for their 1980 s music. The medium shot of a woman in a …repeats the concept of the yellow dress posing on a tree as male gaze and the role of men observe her from a distance… women as fashion focused. It is possible that Duran attempted to assert the dominant role of patriarchy in society with their representations of women. The medium, shot of a woman in a tight pink dress lying on the ground (her head not in shot) whilst orange paint is splashed on her… …highlights a recurring motif of splashed paint on female bodies which has suggestive connotations. The fact that her head is not in the frame, only her body, reiterates the idea of woman as objects rather than valued for their humanity. The extreme close up of a hand the deep focus which features a woman in a swimsuit emerging at the shoreline… …suggests that a man is looking at this woman hoping to pursue and possibly woo her. The light-hearted tone of the music contrasts with what seems to be quite predatory behaviour.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The medium two shot of a man …shows that men can be being bitten by a crab whilst he foolish and awkward. attempts to woo a lady at the beach (who rolls her eyes then kicks him over)… This challenges the idea that Duran celebrity misogyny. As it mocks men who fail to impress woman. However, there is a suggestion that as long as you have charisma, objectification is okay. The long shot of all band members standing tall on the front of a moving yacht… It is clear that Duran want to emphasise their success with the symbol of sailing. …highlights their wealth, confidence and status. The point-of-view medium shot …resume theme of Duran are challenging the initial of windows inside the yacht… spying as people can be theme of men spying on men. Here, we seen through the windows. have a fascinating role reversal. However, it seems that men rather than women are being observed at this point. The medium silhouette shot of a women posing in the sun in a long flowing dress… …returns the representation of women as objects of fashion. The spectator may be distanced by the repetition or they may find the representation of these women appealing.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The close up of a make-up mirror creates an effect where twisting the mirror reveals a direct address of a woman in the shot… …which reverses the representation of men observing woman, showing that women are looking back at the male gaze. Duran may be representing a ‘battle of the sexes’ and the games that are played in courting between genders. The medium shot of a woman posing like a crab as orange paint is splashed on her… …repeats a previous shot, perhaps reinforcing that the male gaze is often repeated. Duran’s concept music video seems appropriate in a modern art exhibition. The long shot of a woman on a makeshift island, sitting in luxury surrounded by a scorched sky and a butler who offers a phone to her from under the water… …creates a surreal effect. This world is represented as unusually magical but still focused on flirtations between men and women. The spectator may be fascinated by the effects of the music video, which seem dated but where marvelled at in previous decades. The superimposed two shot of a man and woman on the phone to each as the man attempts to flirt with her… …highlights the bachelor lifestyle of the band the communication between singletons. The spectator may engage with the reality of these dating games.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The black-and=white close up of a man with a rifle who bumps into a woman with a cocktail on her midriff… …plays like a fantasy sequence in a man’s mind who wishes that he was an action hero desired by women. The spectator may relate to the character’s aspirations or be distanced by his obsessive attributes. The extreme close up of a man stepping on a banana skin as a giant superimposed red ball hits him into the sea… …creates a magical, otherworldly quality to the music video. Spectators may find this ‘special effect’ dated and ridiculous but this is due to the authenticity of computer generated images from 1990 s and beyond. The medium shot of a man caught in a fishing net as a woman drags him to the shore… …suggests that these men are slaves to their desire for these woman. The woman smiles as she takes the man in. There is a role reversal between predator and prey in this scene, suggesting that gender stereotypes are being culturally subverted. The close up of neon cocktails on a …adds a surreal element to tray in the sea… the representation of a luxurious lifestyle. The shot of a diver attempting to drink the pink liquid underwater is humourous.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The medium two shot of a painted woman peering at a man inside the boat… …reverses the roles of voyeurism. The woman spies on the man, turning the tables on the male gaze. It is possible that Duran intend to subvert the male gaze, but representations here are problematic. The long shot of a saxophone player having a musical solo on a life raft with the backdrop of a scorched sky… …emphasises the otherworldly Slow motion shots on a resort make-believe quality of the landscape glorifies his musical music video. ability. The tilted angle POV tracking shot of another boat heading towards theirs… …seems threatening and ominous. The spectator might be confused by the change in style in this shot. The point of view shot of a man failing to pour champagne properly as a woman poses then rolls her eyes on the boat… …suggests that men are foolish and awkward in scenarios surrounded by beautiful women. The woman seems to have power and be in charge in this scene. The dynamic in the video has changed.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The point of view long shot of man …implies that a woman is visible on a horse through leaves… spying on a man. The horserider is represented as heroic and victorious. The close up of a woman covered in pink shampoo, arching her head to the sky… …reinforces theme of beauty and the image of women. The spectator may be annoyed by the gratuitous imagery of posing women. The medium shot of a man asleep on the boat, hiding his head in his hat… …highlights the luxury of his surroundings. It is clear that Duran’s success has led to a lavish lifestyle with luxury. The medium shot of a man backwards somersaulting… …gives the impression that these are talented men. There is a suggestion that Duran are fine with objectifying women because they feel they have earned it with their talent.

GCSE MEDIA – COMPONENT 2: MUSIC VIDEOS Music video still Denotation SEPTEMBER 2018 HATCH END HIGH SCHOOL Connotation Effect The medium of all band members standing tall on the front of a moving yacht… …highlights their wealth, confidence and status. It is clear that Duran want to emphasise their success with the symbol of sailing. We are closer to them in this shot, suggesting that we are now encouraged to relate to the more. The medium shot of a woman winking at the camera as she observes the band on the boat… …implies that women are no victims of the male gaze but have a game of mischief to play with men as well. Duran seem to be embracing the complex gender dynamics at play in the bachelor dating scene. The long shot of two band members miming saxophone playing… …shows that they can have a laugh and be light-hearted. The spectator may find them amusing and stylish. The long shot of band on the boat… …bookends the narrative with a familiar shot. The slow fade out reassures the spectator that this is all fun and camaraderie.