MUSIC VIDEO TECHNIQUES / MEDIA LANGUAGE ANALYSIS 

BRUNO MARS - JUST THE WAY YOU ARE <- CLICK HERE TO WATCH

The song 'Just the way you are' by Bruno Mars represents pop genre which is portrayed using animation. (Animation is a rapid display of a sequence of images that is used for an effect to create an illusion of movement). The use of this technique allows the video to be more appealing and understanding to the audience as it is portrayed almost like a cartoon way which is often associated with children. This makes the story line of the video be seen as exaggerated but at the same time easy to understand. In this example the animation technique is combined with the performance and narrative, creating a hybrid. This makes the clip even more successful as it makes the audience feel more engaged with what's happening in the video. 

CONCEPT: 
 

The concept of the video is focusing around relationship and love. Within the animation a cassette can be seen as a symbol which portrays the feelings of the artist towards the woman. The use of this prop allows to portray the narrative in an interesting and unique way, allowing the concept to be visually appealing.  

CAMERA MOVEMENT:

Already at the beginning of the video close-up shots are used to introduce the audience to the characters but also to set the scene. This is effective as it brings viewers attention to what is happening within the scene. As the video continues, over the shoulder shot is used to empathize the characters reaction to the taken Walkman. This short episode effectively introduces the audience to the conceptual idea of the clip. This can be seen as a convention which is often used by the artists to set the scene to the audience. It's not specific to any music genres.

The over the shoulder shot is continuously used throughout the video to represent the woman's reaction to the words the artists is performing. After almost each lip-sync the camera is focused on the girl. This is effective as it creates a link between the two characters. Besides, from that it also empathizes the concept of a relationship and feelings as both character's reactions towards each other are portrayed in a continues prose.

One of the main camera shots used within the clip is the point of view that allows the performer to demonstrate his movement. This shot is used throughout the clip to reinforce the use of animation, as the artist is manipulating the tape in order to create the story line. The animation is used to speed up this process. This is effective as the artist is giving a sense of realism to the clip although the set of images is created using editing techniques. The combination of animation and realistic frame can be seen as challenging the codes and conventions of other music magazines as these elements are hardly ever mixed together. At the same time this allows the song to reach greater success because this convention can be seen as a unique point. 

 

 

Furthermore, a medium close-up shot is used in order to empathize the artists performance using animation. The cut between the realistic scene and animation allows the audience to see the performer from different angles. The lip-sync is used in both types of shots, however the animation allows the artist to bring more body movement which is successfully reinforced using lip-syncing in a form of a medium shot. The idea of performance within an animation may be considered as again challenging the codes and conventions as we tend to see the artist singing in a realistic setting. Although, this makes it extraordinary as this clip element might be considered as more engaging due to creative visualisation. 

 

The ending of the clip is demonstrated using medium close-up shot with a side way focus onto the performers facial features. This is effective as the concept of the clip was more reviling at the beginning of the video in order to bring audiences attention whereas towards the end it starts to flow back to the song and the artist itself. The medium close up and the use of depth of field allows to bring awareness to the strong expression of feelings and the exaggeration of body language, which might make the audience more engaged, as the artist seems to be revealing his emotions. 

EDITING TECHNIQUES:

 

A variety of quick cuts has been used within the video in order to empathize the facial reactions of both characters. This allowed to empathize the symbolic concept of love found within the video as the audience was constantly informed about their reaction caused by one another. Besides, from that I think the quick cuts worked quite well as they made the video seem to be more energetic and powerful due to the continues movement within the frame but also the non-diegetic sound of the song in the background.

Another editing technique used within the music video is the fade towards the end of the clip. The speed of fade is quite slow allowing the audience to casually withdraw from the told story. Besides, from that the use of fade empathizes the change in the speed of vocal from fast to slow. This allows the audience to see this change visually. The use of fade can be seen as a convention used within the music industry, however it is not specific to any genre, although it's an effective way for an ending. 

MISE-EN-SCENE:

 

The mise-en-scene is used within the clip to bring emphasis to both of the characters using costumes. However, at the same time the casual but stylish look also reinforces the modern pop genre. The woman is wearing quite loose clothing which could be associated with R&B genre, although her body figure and overall appearance suits really well with the image of a pop character. In contrast Bruno Mars is wearing a casual jeans coat and a hat which also gives him a comfortable and informal look. This use of costume links also very well with the concept of the video, which is clearly set at the 'couples' apartment. The relaxed, informal look may be seen as a exaggeration in order to make the clip more appealing for the audience and make the story flow even more.

 

 

The cassette is used as a symbolic prop within the video as I have mentioned above.  It's aim is to build up representation of love and a relationship. The tape within the cassette is used to create a visualisation for the song lyrics which are focused around these themes. At the same time is demonstrates the artist singing towards the woman again showing him revealing his feelings using the song and the tape to portray what he loves about her. This is then supported using reaction shot or over the shoulder shot which demonstrates the facial response of the woman.

 

SOUND:

Parallel sound was used accurately with the speed of the video frame, meaning it reflected the mood of the song. This was quite essential as the video included a lot of quick cuts which supported the fast pace of the beat, allowing to create fluent and accurate music composition for the pop genre. 

The non-diegetic sound (the sound track) is used throughout the entire music video. This is successful as the sound has much more advanced quality due to the fact that the sound from the surroundings is not included, allowing the soundtrack to be clear, accurate and expressive. At the same time the high accuracy links with the visualisation (animation and the rest of the frame) as the clip portrays images using the lyrics and lip-syncing. This significantly creates a bigger impact upon the audience. 

Lastly, at some points in the clip the performer stops miming the soundtrack, this is then quickly followed by the animation which creates an image of the artist and carries on singing. This is effective as we hear one artist, however visually we are able to see him in two different styles. This can be seen as a convention as in many music videos we tend to see the artists in different situations or stylisations. This is portrayed using cuts from one scene to another. It allows to build up curiosity and allows the audience to make various opinions about the artist as they might suit one of their styles.