E.L - Technical Analysis

Jamie T - Chaka Demus

I analysed the shots and mise-en-scene of the video for Jamie T's Chaka Demus. There were a number of things that i noticed throughout the video.

Shots

There was a great deal of similar shots and repeat angles used all the way through the Chaka Demus video. One example is the high angle long shot that was used a number of times as different cars drove past in quick succession. These shots are interspersed with other repeat angles and adopt a quick cutting rate in order to create the narrative.

Mise-en-scene

The costumes that are used throughout the video are wacky, odd and relatively humerus. This is quite conventional of indie rap as many of the lyrics follow the same unusual path with a number of witty quips. The video Chaka Demus consists of a car chase of 3 old cars and 7 very oddly dressed males. For example there are 3 mines with their faces painted in costumes driving together chasing other absurdly dressed characters.

Most of the video is shot along an empty country road that winds and bends through what seems the middle of a forest. This use of the same road emphasises the race as all the cars are traveling the same way and in order to produce a good narrative the locations have to match. This would possibly fall under continuity editing.

A number of props are used that all add to the narrative and help tell the unusual story. For example two men are trying to read a map on the side of the road which clearly illustrates that they are lost and the audience can see a focus on the car chase.

There is also a focus on the suitcase that Jamie T has with him which is later thrown from the car. This would give the impression that it is the case that is sought after however this is never confirmed.

Conclusion

The video is a very good example of British indie rap and has give me some good ideas that will help us for our own video. By producing the technical analysis i am able to see the volume of shots used to create the narrative and the short duration that they are shown. This is something that we need to think about during our planning of our own video in order to make sure we get enough footage of shots that we can use.