Music Video Analysis

Kanye West feat. Chris Martin - Homecoming




We plan on using this video as inspiration, using the concepts of the colour scheme giving the video a documentary type theme as well as the heavy representation of Black people within the video which easily convert to the heavily black orientated Hip-Hop Culture 




A & B) How camera angles have been used to create an engaging videos/ develop narrative/ position of the viewer and What camera angles and movements have been used? 
The initial camera angles sow establishing shots of Chicago which is important to the narrative as the meaning of lyrics is an extended metaphor as an ode to Chicago. The black white coverage of Chicago depicts Chicago as a concrete jungle so we get the interpretation of what the song will be about. The showcasing of the city also plays on the conventions of Hip-Hop as it shows the ghetto areas in Chicago initially. 
We are also shown low angle tracking shots of the artist Kanye West so he appears bigger and more dominant in comparison to the setting, this is reflective of the track name as it is called 'Homecoming' so he seen to over a higher status and a hero. 
A use of over the shoulder shot of Kanye West as we follow him as he makes his 'homecoming' back to Chicago, it adds to the escapism as the audience is able to feel they are present within the video.


C) What is the prominent or main focus of the music video?
The main focus of the video is watch the artist return home to Chicago after leaving to make a name for himself nationwide. We watch the artist go through his hometown watching how desolate and poor areas of the city is and how the opportunity he received was very rare in his circumstance. 


D) How has the Editing been used to create an engaging video?
The editing used is mostly present when the featured artist is singing the chorus and bridge. This is done to hide his identity as he plays the piano and to promote realism through representation. Realistically the Chicago ghettos are most inhabited by African-Americans the removal of identity of featured singer who is a Caucasian done purposely to not deflect from the lifestyles of Black Americans


E) What transitions have been used and why?
The videos use flicker transitions reminiscent of a camera flicking, this done for the audiences behalf, the camera's eyeline is made to show the audience as a tourist being led by Kanye as he takes us through the city of Chicago.


F) How the Mise-en-Scene has been used to create an engaging video/develop the narrative/position the viewer
The mise-en-scene shows the acting to very natural as the extras almost ignore the camera go about their normal lives, this is to act a documentary/biographical story line again added realism to the narrative. The scale of buildings compared to the artist is to show that artist is now at the same levels of the buildings and setting to show his dominance. The costume is reflective of the Hip-Hop community where most of the characters are seen to be wearing black orientated street label brands. 


G) What happens in the video and is it an effective video  
Kanye comes home on a moving like float to show his arrival back home were the audience gets an insight to the poverty he comes back to. We see that with his newly found fame the artist has now built up a generation of followers. It is expressed that the town misses him dearly. 


H) Whether you think it is an effective video?
The video is an effective video as it shows kanye in a different light in comparison to his over past videos. The audience in given an insight to Kanye's background. This video appeases Kanye's target audience well.