Task 2.1 - Danny Worsnop - Out Without You - Analysis

Out Without You by Danny Worsnop is a country song about dealing with a break up, and how it hard it is to come to terms with the rapid change in lifestyle. It also has significance as a reference to how he felt after leaving the band 'Asking Alexandria' who were known in the industry for their wild alcohol and substance abuse which ultimately led to Danny leaving.


Here, we see a POV shot of Danny passed out in the bathtub with a bottle of beer in hand. This hints that he got very drunk, like he used too, and ended up passing out there. Its also very striking as it conveys an image of extreme loneliness.

The symbolism within the bottle of alcohol is also very important as Danny went to rehab because of an alcohol addiction after it began to tear the band. Asking Alexandria, apart. This brings a new perspective into the mix, is he singing about alcohol? Alcohol and partying go hand in had so is he saying that he doesn't like going out anymore now that he can't drink alcohol. The type of shot is important as it tells us how he feels people view him.

This medium shot depicts friends out drinking together before the focus alters to reveal Danny sitting alone at the bar. This scene reiterates what i have previously mentioned about partying. As well as this, there is clearly a female in the shot and with reference to the lyrics this scene could also prove that it is about a break up and that his ex partner has already found someone new whilst he's struggling to cope.

This close up allows us to view the sadness in his face as he is standing fully clothed in the shower. This is him 'cleansing' himself of everything bad. Whether it be his alcohol addiction, splitting up with a partner or leaving the very successful band, the boot still fits.



There is a sequence of medium close up shots that occur intermittently throughout the music video. In these shots we see Danny Worsnop singing the song whilst walking through what looks like a clearing in some woods. He is physically alienated from everyone else in these shots, away from society in the wilderness. This is a representation of his mind, he feels excluded and feels like he doesn't belong with the rest of the society because of the events that he has recently been through.

The above image is a close up shot of what we assume is a table or counter in his house. In the shot we can predominantly see alcohol and money. This can represent a few different things; such as alcohol and money being his main driving force. Or is alcohol and money what he sees as the necessities to survive whilst he is going through this rough patch, however it could also represent how he has turned back to alcohol and substance abuse after the recent damaging events in his life.

The footage throughout the whole song is grainy and looks like it was filmed on an old camera. This could be for effect, to set the scene and time period the song is meant to be based in. Alternatively, the grainy footage could be a visual representation of his mental state being hazy and unclear as a result of everything.

http://loudwire.com/asking-alexandrias-danny-worsnop-giving-up-drugs-alcohol/

http://loudwire.com/ben-bruce-danny-worsnop-stopped-caring-about-asking-alexandria/

Task 2.1 - Beyonce 'Formation' - Semiotic Analysis

Beyoncé standing on top of a police car is the first image we see. It is extremely striking and connotes multiple things, primarily a reference to the lack of aid supplied by the federal government to the blacks in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina in 2001. This was seen as abandonment by those living in New Orleans and now, entire generations are against the police and all forms of government. This is also a statement regarding the current activist group taking America by storm, Black Lives Matter, showing someone of colour on top of a police car is a Black Power salute of sorts which infers that people of colour should stand up to the police brutality they’re currently being exposed to.

We also hear non-diegetic sound of a man, who we presume is African American also, talking to a woman, presumably Beyoncé, calling her “Bitch” and then telling her what food he likes implying that she should go and make it. This is quite shocking to those viewing the video who do not live in such areas featured in it. However, it is commonplace in the culture that surrounds those areas and words such as “Bitch” and “Nigger” have lost their meaning and are just part of the common tongue and aren’t offensive anymore. Beyoncé has put these bits of talking into her music video to highlight the misogyny that exists within these communities.

 

A series of shots throughout the video feature Beyoncé dressed up in a white lace dress in an upper class home. This is referring to the slavery that black people were exposed to 150 years ago and how they can now be in that position of wealth. It is ironic to feature such shots but will also shock some people who cannot imagine someone of colour being in such a position. It could also be a representation of what Beyoncé would be she was alive 150 years ago due to her extensive levels of wealth which aims to show how that America is more divided when it comes to rich vs poor rather than black vs white.

Furthermore, one of the lyrics from the song are “I just might be a black Bill Gates in the making” backs up the point I made in the previous paragraph as it clearly means that ethnicity does not define what you’re worth. You should determine your own worth. Before that line, the lyrics are “You just might be a black Bill Gates” showing her view regarding her fan base. She doesn’t see any difference between what she’s capable of and what her fans are capable off as she comes from a disadvantaged background as well.

There is a scene that repeats itself throughout the music video accompanied by the lyrics ‘okay ladies now let’s get in formation’. The formation she is talking about is a reference to actively protesting for Black Lives Matter and they physically take the form of an ‘X’ shape, referencing Malcolm X who used militant tactics rather than peaceful ones to campaign for Civil Rights during the 1960s. This is one of the many things from the music video that angered the police forces in America as it essentially incites violence towards the federal government, which we have seen recently across the whole of the United States.

Another scene which aggravated the police force featured a small child dancing in front of a line of riot police. This scene portrays the police as preying upon the weakest and most innocent in society, it feeds the stereotype recently given to them and accompanied with the messages from previous scenes, incites more violence. Alternatively, it could also be a statement telling protesters to stand up to the police in a peaceful manner rather than the violence that is taking over the nation. This could be through dance, as shown in the video, or through music, like the video, or in any other creative ways.

To conclude, the video carries a powerful message regarding Black Lives Matter and is very relevant to today’s society. Beyoncé is using her power as a modern icon to spread this message. The message can be interpreted in multiple ways leading to both negative and positive results.