Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines ft. T.I. & Pharrell Williams
Mise-en-scene
Blurred Lines is a performance based music video that is very stereotypical in terms of conforming to the usual codes and conventions of a Hip Hop/R&B video. The target audience is no doubt those of the Hip Hop/R&B genre. Through the use of mise-en-scene, many key characteristics of this particular genre are expressed throughout the video to create a certain image for everyone in the video. One of the key conventions in Hip Hop is voyeurism (the idea of looking/spying and sexualising the female form), Blurred Lines is based around voyeurism and objectifying women to make men look more superior along with other factors to build this image. This particular shot (shown below) is a great example how the women in this video aren't really paid attention throughout the video, this suggests that women are disposable and men are superior (women are something to come back to whenever men want/like a belonging). The only time women are paid attention to is when they are either being touched by the males or looked at in a sexual way or even when they're naked! You can also see that the women are not wearing very much and therefore are not very covered compared to the men. This is when the idea of voyeurism comes in. Even though they are dressed, their clothing is underwear based and doesn't cover much. Also, all of the females are dressed in white, the connotations of white tend to be innocence and clarity which contradicts the lyrics of the song. Furthermore, their make-up contrasts with the colour of their clothing. The red of their lipstick (red) conveys the idea of lust, sex and danger. The colour red is used to grow the image of wealth as well as objectifying females. The fact that the lipstick is the same colour as other props that star in the video (e.g. toy car, hash-tags & the spots on the die) this makes the women appear as an object or a belonging (disposable) and add the 'standard' characteristics of a artists' life.
Female clothing compared to males.
Not paying attention to females.
Only paying attention when acting sexual.
Red lipstick to represent danger/lust/love.
The colour scheme for this video is very basic, however quite appropriate. As I have already discussed, the whites and reds makes quite a statement in terms of connotations and highlight particular aspects to give a certain representation. The other only colour is gold which usually represents wealth and being able to live at expense. This is used as a reminder to their audience to highlight the males' money and is shown to make people aspire to become like the artists. This works with their outfits. All of the males are in suits of some sort and wearing sunglasses, which appeals to a female audience as they're aiming for the 'tall, dark & handsome' look which is very popular when attracting female attention as well as adding mystery with the shades. Pharrell tends to avoid this look and goes against this stereotypical look and wears a golden tracksuit which again adds to the idea of wealth and standing out. Finally, Robin uses an ice cream to perhaps provoke a more sexual side of himself. Using a close up shot, he licks the ice cream without breaking eye contact with the camera/audience. This creates a sexual connection with the females watching him. Another prop used in this video is a lamb. The females a shown repeatedly touching, holding or even 'playing with' the lamb which reflects a childlike nature in the women. To start with both the lamb and the women can be associated with their innocence. Also, as the girls are given this childlike attitude, it give the males a little bit more power making them seem superior and more mature, as if they are responsible for the women or even smarter than them. During the video product placement is used to advertise 'Rem Martin' alcohol. Many artists will do this during a music video as it benefits both parties. The artist gains more popularity as their video will seem more up to date and trendy as they're advertising a new product. This then leads to audiences that aspire to be like the artist buying the product which results in a rise in income for the products company. All of these factors build up and conform to the message of both the song and video (nowadays most Hip Hop videos are based on messages about partying, getting high/drunk and the idea of sex.
Moving onto camera, many shot types are used throughout the video that conform to the conventions of this genre. To begin with, close ups are the most popular in Hip Hop videos when establishing the artist or perhaps even the power or the importance of that particular subject. This works because they take up most of the frame and so they're the main focus in the frame. However, it isn't always the artist. Sometimes they're just used to highlight something that should be seen as significant in the video. Stereotypical examples of this are objects such as money, jewellery, cars and sometimes even women! Blurred Lines includes both. By using close ups on the artist you are creating a direct address, which then leads to a star image. We are familiarised with the artist and constantly being reminded of their image and any motifs they may have. This works well for Robin Thicke as he is better known in America than the UK, therefore when putting together a music video, close ups will bombard the audience with the star image so that they are recognised more often (beneficial for the artist when they're new into the industry. Another shot type used during the video is tracking. In this shot the camera is moving with the artists (using a Dolly) as they walk towards the left of the frame. This way the artists are in control, as they walk it is as if the audience is being lead to something, we are walking with them but we will only find out where we're being lead to when they finish walking. This shot also includes the 'walking and singing' combo, the artists are entertaining whilst leading the camera and only look into the camera when singing which keeps us hooked as we're waiting for that connection. Later on in the video pulled focus is used. Pulled focus is a creative camera technique where the focus is changed during the shot (adjusting from one subject to another). Even though the example in Blurred Lines only lasts about a second, we begin with the focus on one of the females in the background but then the focus is pulled forwards and set on Pharrell just in time for him to start singing. As he is so close to the camera, along with the focus change, a lot of emphasis is put on him, his importance and his purpose compared to the female. He is highlighted as the main subject in that particular frame.
In post production, text has been layered over the top of various shots in order to advertise or be viewed in the same time as the words are being said. A lot of rhythmic editing is used. This is when the shots are cut to fit the beat of the music, throughout the whole video we see this happening. Also, each shot it cut which fits with the usual expectations of a professional music video as opposed to a dissolve effect between each shot. There was also another version of this music video whereby the females weren't dressed. In this sense they have edited the video that is allowed to be shown on television to make it suitable by cropping the shot or photoshopping and obscenities. They have also cut to close up for the purpose of reinforcing the star image of the artist or as well in this case objectifying the women.
The video was shot in a studio using non-diegetic, high-key lighting. There is no other set change throughout the video besides the white backdrop. The brightly lit studio along with the backdrop work together so that all of the focus is on the artists. The connotations of high-key lighting are quite often innocence (matching the nature of the females) and it reflects the upbeat mood of the lyrics.
According to Andrew Goodwin's theory applied to music videos, there are 5 key aspects of a music video that we the audience recognise, one of which being intertextuality. This is when an artist that perhaps isn't well known uses other references to gain a reputation and to attract an audience and a fan base. In this video even though Robin Thicke is popular in the US, he isn't very well known in the UK therefore by using famous artists such as Pharrell Williams and T.I. who have been famous in the UK for a long time, he is creating more exposure for himself.
Unusually, this video includes factors that may not seem as the 'norm' when looking into an R&B/Hip Hop music video. Firstly, throughout the whole video text is layered over the shot in post production. More than not the text includes a hash tag, this could be classes technological convergence as Robin Thicke is hash tagging his name in his music video which may lead people to using it on social networking site (e.g. Twitter/Adding it onto the end of their tweets) and this way Robin Thicke is gaining more exposure. Secondly, small sections of the video are out of sync. The lip-syncing doesn't quite match up with the lyrics/music. This is strange as perfect synchrony would be expected in a 'professional' music video. Due to such famous artists featuring in the video you would expect it to be professional however once we notice it is out of sync it gives the video a 'low budget' feel. This idea is also shown in the video as they only use one set rather than perhaps a range f sets that could be used to make a narrative (expected in an R&B video)
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