An analysis of Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Music Video)

Genre

·         Soul / Rhythm and Blues

·         Focus on voice

Narrative

·         Mini narratives within each separate settings conveyed in metaphors

·         Story of break up

Representation

·         Sophisticated, mature women – reinforces the image of the new album 21 to show she’s grown from her first album 19

·         Talented – focuses on her voice

Micro Analysis

Visual Codes

·         Movement – Panning towards and away from the subject (usually Adele)

·         Star is the focus, she’s sat solitary in a room

·         Close up and wide shots

Editing

·         Edits are controlled by pace of music

o    Faster pace during the chorus

o    There is a very strong beat in the song which is massively influential in the editing shots and pace

Mise-en-scene

·         Muted colours, natural browns, but primarily the contrast between black and white

·         Other character dressed in a samurai suit

·         Contrast of light and dark throughout

o    This relates to the lyrics and message of the song

§  The connotations of this is the good and evil

·         Star stays routed on her chair throughout

·         Metaphors in props and set

o    Chairs covered over as if about to be moved she’s sat in one representing defiance

o    The broken cups and plates represent the frequency of fights and how regular they are

o    The powder being stirred into the air to represent the distortion in the relationship

o    The stark nature of the set is very powerful (perhaps linking to the power of Adele’s voice)

§  All of these relate back to the lyrics

In Relation to Goodwin’s theory

·         There is a relationship between music and visuals

·         Record companies demand a lot of close-ups of the main artist or vocalist

o    Adele is focused on a central figure and close ups are common

·         Relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the lyrics – It is not blaringly obvious that it links as the messages are told through metaphors

In Relation to Uses and gratification

·         I feel that as the artist in this video particularly allows the audience to form a relationship not only with the product but allow the viewer to form relationships with others who have watched this video.

·         Perhaps also personal identity would come in it as the primary audience for the video may feel that they can relate to the artist and position themselves in society; Adele is portrayed as an elegant, mature, sophisticated women this may allow the audience to reflect on themselves.