Analysing a Music Video: Nelly feat Kelly Roland Dilemma

Image: we are instantly presented with a setting which looks as though its a 'ghetto' part of America. This is idea is re-enforced with the type of characters that are used within this music video,  such as people again that are from a black ethnicity. At the very beginning of the video there are lots of cuts giving us an idea of the setting and the community. The video is slightly unusual to all the other videos that i have researched because the moving image is presenting a story, its as though is the beginning of a film or a TV series. As the artists song is not being played as we are first introduced to the story. The main characters are of black ethnicities this again is a common image for the type of genre the music video is. 

Editing: Throughout the whole video, there are constant cuts from the male character to the female character with the addition of the lyrics, the narrative is explained clearly. We then go into moving image where we see the lives of the two characters then the 'dilemma' is made clear. The constant cuts and the positioning if the camera ie (mid shot and close ups) we can see the expression of the characters clearly and again the story is made clearer. The song seems to be of a slow pace reflecting the Artists mood as he expresses deep emotion about his love for someone. However in contrast to the other videos, this music video is a duet with another female artist and she is again of black ethnicity. The clothing that they wear within the music video also reflects this, it looks as though its designer and is quite baggy, in comparison to well fitted clothes for example it looks as though the male characters are wearing basket ball tops; and the female characters are wearing tight skimpy clothing with high heels. This reflects there role with the video, to be beautifully presented.

Genre: This music video fits into the genre of R&B as similarly to the other music videos i have researched the main male character of the video is black.  This music video is slightly different to the other videos i have researched as the song is a duet with another female artist however there are  the same micro elements that convey the genre, such as the female being of black ethnicity and wears the clothing in which R&B is represented by. Again money is presented, specifically through  props within the video. For example the artist is in a mid shot/ two shot with another character where an expensive car is parked behind them. This shot suggests that the artists like to convey expensive luxuries to there target to audience perhaps to connote the 'cool' and 'expensive' lifestyle they live .

Connotation: The secondary level of communication within this music video is the lyrics. The lyrics describe a story, about how the characters are feeling, The focus within this music video is of two characters (male and female) of which express both there feelings within the song. 

Target audience:  For me I feel that this music video is aimed at young adults, the lyrics express emotions about love, but also there are both sexes singing and who are conveyed within the music video this suggests that all types audiences can relate to either character. Music again, is a major part of young adults' lives as they turn to music to express but also feel emotion. I feel that this song enables this type of audience to do so and experience what the artists is saying as both sides are presented.

Mode of address: The tone of the song is relatively positive, however there are elements within the music video which show the negative perspective within the song. The cuts within the music video give us a different perspective of what the artist is saying and also gives us the different viewpoints of both the characters as well, at the same time presenting the setting and what the atmosphere is like. The artists  directly talk to the screen (ie: his audience) this is through his direct eye contact as though he is talking to his audience personally but additionally they also look at one another keeping the narrative story going within the music video. Again throughout my research this is a common aspect within these music videos, however the different here, is that there are two R&B artists singing within one song.

Narrative: I don't feel there is elements of Propp's theory within this music video, However Strauss Binary opposites is conveyed, this is significantly through the two R&B artists that are presented who are male and female. Additionally I feel that Todorov's theory can be applied  within this music video as a story is being explained there seems to be a disrupted equilibrium between the male and the female character as they are seeing with other partners/ dates within the music video however towards the end there is a longs shot presenting the two characters holding one another directly singing towards the camera stating how much they 'love one another'.
Roland Barthes 5 different codes could be applied to this music video, The enigma code for example could be applied; as the audience is intrigued by the need to solve the problem within the music video (the fact that the two artists are not together in narrative)

Post modernism:  I believe there isn't any inter-textual reference to any other forms of media.

Representation: The main characters of the music video are of  black ethnicities , this represents the type of music that is being conveyed and where it originates from. Again the theme of love is conveyed but it is in a positive context as the artist states  but the moving image presented shows the negative side to it. The class that is being represented is possibly working class/upper class, as the lifestyle seem to be of a high standard this is through the expensive cars that are presented. However the community suggests they are of middle class/ working class as the children are playing out in the streets this does not seem to be the presentation of upper class.

The story of the music video seems to be a male character and a female character who have feelings for one another this is directly shown through the mid shots and close ups of his face, we start to understand the facial expressions and the emotions they are expressing through this song. With the moving image being shown with the lyrics. These specific elements attract target audiences as the song and music video portrays emotions between males and females in which every person goes though this means an audience member can relate to the song and the music video. The theme is powerful also as its about love, meaning everyone experiences what these characters are presenting.