Research- Individual analysis of costume, setting, location and props in music videos

There are three music videos, in which I have chosen to analyse, all of which from different genres. In terms of analysis, I will be analysing the costume the artists wear, the different setting and location in which the music videos are set in and also the props used in music videos and the significance of them.

Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"

Use of costume

In the music video "Rolling in the deep" by Adele, there are no costume changes. The only costume she does where however links well with the lyrics and also the verse-chorus-verse. This is because she is dressed in a black simple and elegant dress. Black certainly represents a dull and sad atmosphere. For example it is worn in funerals. It links to the lyrics as Adele is singing about what they "could have had" as it describes the emotions of a scorned lover. The costume also links to the setting and location of this music video as it is set in a very dull and darkened room. Additionally the costume links to the genre of this music video as this genre is Soul, which is a combination of R&B and Gospel.

Adele dressed is a simple black dress.








Use of setting and location

This music video contains five well-known different locations. These are;

1. A small room where Adele is singing
2. Under the staircase where a man is playing on the drums.
3. A small room where there is a man dancing.
4. Staircase where plates are smashing against the mirror.
5. A small room where water is dripping into lots of different glasses.

Use of props

This music video contains different props such as;

1. Drums
2. Plates
3. Glasses

The genre of this music video is Soul. Soul music is combined elements of African American gospel music, rhythm and blues and often jazz too. Soul music is popularly used for dancing. This therefore helps to show why the props link to the genre. This is because the drums would be used to create rhythm to the music and creating rhythm keeps the audience engaged and they may use the music for dancing. Additionally these props are well linked to the lyrics of this song because when the plates are smashing against the mirror, into little pieces it may well also be reflecting on how hearts are being broken into small pieces. Also when the water is leaking into glasses it almost creates a image of tears. Therefore the props help to show the emotion of the artist, linking well with the lyrics of this music video.

The Saturdays - "Gentlemen"

Use of costume

In the music video "Gentlemen" by The Saturdays there are up to two costume changes. The use of costume links well to the verse-chorus-verse because the artists are dressed in dresses which represent their gender and role, e.g. housewives. The costume links well with the lyrics because the dresses as stated before represents the female role and the suits represent the male role (husband) and the lyrics talk about husbands and "real gentlemen". In addition the costume links well with the setting and the location because it is set in a garden.

Two different costume changes. The Saturdays dressed in dresses and then in suits.












The genre of this music video is "pop", which is a term that originally derives from an abbreviation of "popular". There are elements in which define pop, such as; the music videos generally include short-to-medium lenght songs, is written in a basic format (often the verse-chorus structure), there are repeated choruses, melodic tunes catchy lines. It is difficult to say how the costume links well with this genre as there are no clear links between the two.

Use of setting and location

This music video contains three well-known different locations. These are;

1. Garden
2. A small room (where The Saturdays are playing poker)
3. Outside the houses, on the road 

Use of props

This music video contains different props such as;

1. Roses
2. Engagement ring
3. Chocolates
4. Car keys
5. Gift bag
6. Gardening equipment
7. Poker cards

Props such as the roses, engagement ring, chocolates, car keys and gift bag link well with the lyrics of this video because the lyrics is stating what a real "gentlemen" and a "real husband" is all about so it portrays how woman should be treated and what they should get gifted by. The gardening equipment links well to the location as they are located in a garden. Additionally the poker cards link well with the lyrics as it portrays how "real husbands" are today.

Alicia Keys - "No One" 

Use of costume

In the music video "No One" by Alicia Keys, there are up to four costume changes. However it is difficult to say how they link back to the verse chorus verse or even the lyrics as a whole. Also linking it to the setting and location is also difficult and there seems to be no clear link. The genre of this music video is RnB which is a music genre that combines elements of Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Soul, Funk and Hip Hop. Again it is difficult to say how the costume links to the genre. Therefore, from this analysis it is clear that the four different costume changes are not essential in this music video.

There are four costume changes.

Use of setting and location

This music video contains four well-known different locations. These are;

1. Little room (where the artist sits in a chair)
2. Music room (where the artist plays on the piano)
3. Outside in the rain
4. A small room where it looks as though the artist is performing on a stage

Use of props

This music video contains only one prop which is;

1.  The piano 

Questions

• What do you notice about the amount of costume used in the video?

The amount of costume used in these three music videos vary, with the Rnb music video having the most amount of costume change throughout the video and the Soul music video with the least amount of costume change. 

• What differences are there between the genres in terms of the amount and style of the costumes?

There are clear differences between the genres in terms of the amount and style of the costumes. For example the music video with the Soul genre is very simple as there is only one costume change. Similarly the music video with the Pop genre is very simple, also, as it only has two costume changes. However the styling of the costumes in the RnB music video is very different and has a total of four costume changes, although none of which actually relate to the lyrics.

• Compare the use of setting and location between the three genres-what similarities and differences can you spot?

There are a number of similarities and a number of differences with the setting and location, between the three genres. Firstly the Soul music video and the RnB music video share the same location as they both have locations in small rooms. However the RnB video is also different to the Soul video as it is also located outside which is a similarity to the Pop video. Additionally the Soul video is different to the Pop video as one of the locations in the Soul video is on the staircases whereas the Pop video is located in the garden. However  all three genres can be seen as similar as they all have more than two locations in the music videos. 

• How significant is the use of props in the genres that you analysed?

The props used in the Soul music video is significant as it is used to show the emotions of the artist. The props used in the Pop video is also significant as it links well with the lyrics. However the one prop used in the RnB video is not significant as it is not necessary.