Adele - 'Rolling in the Deep'

The first immediate aspect of this video that draws me in is the sudden build up of orchestral string instruments which instantly create excitement and tension for the entrance of the song. The various backgrounds involved in the video create a modernistic and contemporary atmosphere with the unusual architectural features and unique set design (such as the floor full of drinking glasses) but they also help emphasise the female singer's unique costuming - the elegant yet sophisticated clothing reinforces the youthful and feminine nature of the music video. What I love about this video is the wide variety of shots used - the jump cutting and the constant change in shots keeps the excitement level high and maintains the energy throughout the footage, the close up shots draw the audience right into the centre of the action whilst the long shots showcase the lead singer and display her natural beauty and femininity.

Adele 'Hometown Glory' (My Song Choice)

"Hometown Glory" was the first single from Adele's debut album 19, in which it was released on 22 October 2007 in the United Kingdom. In 2008, the song was re-released as her fourth single attempting to increase the sells and promotion of her album. The song became globally popular with it being within the top 20 on the British UK charts.

What I love about this video is the delicacy and soft nature that is created through the low lighting and the simple set design. The unique composition of the video (the artist in the centre with the posters behind her) draws our attention straight onto the artist and maintains it with constantly changing shots that showcase the different backgrounds which move past her throughout the song. The shots which focus upon the artist seem to portray her in a delicate and gentle manner which represents her character.

Adele '19' - Hometown Glory lyrics

"Hometown Glory"

I've been walking in the same way as I did
Missing out the cracks in the pavement
And tutting my heel and strutting my feet
"Is there anything I can do for you dear? Is there anyone I could call?"
"No and thank you, please Madam. I ain't lost, just wandering"

Round my hometown
Memories are fresh
Round my hometown
Ooh the people I've met
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of this world
Are the wonders of my world

I like it in the city when the air is so thick and opaque
I love to see everybody in short skirts, shorts and shades
I like it in the city when two worlds collide
You get the people and the government
Everybody taking different sides

Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united
Shows that we ain't gonna take it
Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united

Round my hometown
Memories are fresh
Round my hometown
Ooh the people I've met

Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of this world
Are the wonders of my world

Artist Research - Adele

Adele is an English singer and songwriter who became globally famous for the release of her debut album '19' which was released in 2008. At a young age Adele went to 'The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology' which gace her the ambition to become a performer. She produced a small collection of songs which were posted on Myspace which therefore led to her being discovered by a music label called 'XL Recordings'. From this moment she was becoming more involved in the music industry with her providing back vocals to many albums and songs such as Jack Periate's song 'My Yvonne' to performing at charitable concerts which invovled some top rated singers such as Will Young. As a result of this, she became the first recipient of the BRIT Awards Critics' Choice and was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2008 in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2008. Adele's genre of music is considered as soul/jazz which is combined with modernistic pop traits - critics have stated that 'her vocals were more developed and intriguing than her songwriting'.

Influential Material part 6

Marks and Spencer Advert:
This advert showcases femininity off to its best potential. Firstly the women used in the footage are all iconic models so therefore they immediately portray the female gender in a positive light. Their costuming throughout the clip is constantly changing and helps emphasise the women's figures but also the clothes themselves provide connotations of femininity with their soft, tonal colours, pretty embellishments and vivid patterns. The different sets used throughout the footage all reinforce the feminine nature of the advert and sometimes provide a masculine contrast - such as the plane runway and the royal guards sequence with Lisa Snowdon. The best aspect of this video I feel is the music - Cheryl Lynn 'Got To Be Real' it simply exudes femininity and provides a good tempo for the advert to work to. The strong female voice helps enforce the stereotypes of the women in the advert but also to draw the audience in to the clip. The reason why I am using this as inspiration is because of the high amount of feminine connotations used throughout the clip - the costuming, the music, the characters, the set design and the props.

Influential Material part 5

The Devil Wears Prada:

This film is an excellent example of showing the stereotype of the youthful, fashion conscious women. I am looking at this film simply because of the costuming which yet again exudes high amounts of femininity and this is what I want to try and recreate in my video as it will provide a good contrast with the industrial background which I plan to use (London). The vibrant colours emphasise the youth of the characters and help keep the viewers interest, especially as the film is based around a fashion magazine. The costuming I believe is the best aspect of this film as it helps emphasise the femininity of all the female characters and yet it does this in an understated way.

Influential Material part 4

Beyonce:

Beyonce is a world renowned superstar who shows the world just how strong and independent women can be. The reason why I am drawing upon her as inspiration is because she throughout all her videos provides the partygirl stereotype which I am trying to achieve. The costuming within her videos is a major aspect of her stereotype as they help enhance her natural beauty but also create a vivid and individual character for her videos - such as Single Ladies, Deja Vu and 1+1. Beyonce constantly exudes femininity whether it be in her costuming or her intricate dance routines however it is the way that her music videos portray this which intrguies me. For example in Single Ladies it is the costuming and her highly skilled dance routine which attract the audience and showcase her as an artist, in the song Irreplaceable it is the make up and soft textured clothing which put emphasis upon her feminine nature. What I want to take away from this is the charisma which Beyonce as a performer constantly exudes and portrays to her audience.