Media Forms
How is it typical of a music video?
The key points throughout this music video are that Plan B, a UK music artist focuses key aspects of his songs on crime and the London 2011 riots. The storyline of the music video matches with the lyrics of Plan B's songs. Generally the idea that we get from this music video is how youths are dressed in tracksuits and are portrayed as criminals as they supposedly have a negative impact on society and want to disrupt the lives of daily people. The music is parallel to the video which is how popular music videos are shown in the media. In addition to this, a binary opposition seen in this video is youth vs police and youth vs government. This displays that the video is controversial to people who watch it as many viewers would find that Plan B agrees with everything that the video is showing and that society should remain this way. However once listening to the lyrics and focusing more, it is seen that Plan B is trying to identify the ways in which the government is corrupting working class lives.
Secondly, Plan B performs his music in the video and is the main protagonist of the story as he is the one that is focused on throughout the video. This was mainly done for marketing reasons as if the actual artist appears in the video then it will likely have a larger viewer ship. Many mainstream videos tent to move away from the cliché of the singer actually being in the video with an example of an artist doing this is 'Sia'. However, this video was made in 2012 therefore I do not believe that comparing Plan B to mainstream artists is now is particularly fair. To add to this, I think it was the right decision to put the artist in the video as it was important to promote the iLL Manors because it was a low budget film.
Media Representations
How does it represent the London riots/rioters?
This music video represents riots occurring in London as positive from the perspective of the people that do not understand the purpose and meaning behind what Plan B is saying in the lyrics of the song. This is because the video displays violent images of gangs, street violence and damage to the city therefore general audiences may see this as a positive reinforcement. Further to this, it is controversial if the police is dominantly represented in this music video as there are many scenes which show the gangs and chavs instead of showing police.
Media Audiences
What audience pleasures does the music video offer?
The video offers a way for young people to see violence in the video and it should satisfy them from watching it as they do not have to actually go and commit crimes (This is for those who seek violence in their lives but don't want to actually do it.) Alternatively the audiences such middle-class demographic get to learn about the lives of kids on estates however I do not see how any of them can pleasure from this video as everything it shows is essentially negative.
Media Institutions
How does the music video help to promote the film?
The video helps to promote the film as Plan B stars in it therefore his audiences will be obliged to watch the actual film especially if they are long time supporters of his music. Furthermore, the music video presents actors that actual appear in the film therefore creating a link with his music and short film. This creates synergy between the 2 platforms and markets the film for free (This is important as the film was very low budget and any free marketing is important.)
Ill Manors soundtrack research task
- iLL Manors soundtrack was recorded between 2011-2012 at 'The Sanctuary' and 'Edge Recording Studio' both which as in United Kingdom. The record label was 'Warner Bros'
- iLL Manors debuted number one on the UK Album Charts.
- iLL Manors Album had close to 54,000 downloads (Source)
- The Reviews were very good with most scoring 4/5 stars. (Source)
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