Name: Richard O’Connor Music Video: The Lonely Island – I’m on a boat

Camera Shots – What shots are used and why?

The video is very fast paced with a lot of quick jump cuts, this is because they are trying to look impressive and similar to fast paced rappers. This also fits in well with the song and helps the video to progress from scene to scene.

Mise-en-scene (What colours, sets and props are used? Why?)

The setting of the video is on a very expensive looking boat in the middle of an exotic looking ocean. The characters are all dressed very smart to emphasize how cool the characters think they are. They are also seen in scenes that look similar to regular rap videos from rich stars, this creates comedy because it can clearly be interpreted as them making a joke of rich artists.

Music Video style – What style is used and why?

The music video style is mostly performance based with a slight narrative element to it. These two work well together because the performance element allows the video to look funny whilst the narrative gives the music video a purpose and allows it to progress through the song like a story.

Narrative – What is the story of the music video, characters, settings, conflicts, resolutions?

The music video involves a teenage boy who wins a boat ride for three people in a cereal packet so the boy, his friend and T-Pain go on the boat trip dressed in suits singing about all the different experiences they are having on the boat trip. There are scenes where the artists can be seen enjoying the boat life but also scenes where they are making a joke of famous artists and the people they left at home.

Target Audience – Who is the music video for?

The video is aimed at people around 15 – 30 because it has some immature humour but it is also relevant for anyone who is interested in popular music. The video is probably aimed more at males because the theme of the song is more relevant to male interests.

Editing – Describe the different editing choices made?

As the video is fast paced the editing is made to clearly replicate the style of a popular upbeat song such as a rap song. This also helps to highlight how easy they are saying it is to make a popular song even if it has no purpose.