MS1 Exam - Clip Analysis Practise

The first advert I am analysing is 

M&S Food: Adventures In Sizzle - TV Ad 2015

Throughout the clip. the audience can see a range of audio, visual and technical codes allowing us to comment on the narrative and the genre. The 20 second clip begins with the tagline "Adventures in Sizzle. A range of quick shots are used giving the audience a cinematic experience. The editing is cut quickly to give the audience "snapshot" views. The first shot seen is a tracking shot of a set of matches which is lit one by one. Close up shots of the food being advertised (sausages, burgers, typical grill food) are supposed to entice the audience and tempt them into buying their products. Slow motion is used consistently throughout the clip to highlight the key moments, in particular when the bright colours in the spices and herbs are shown - also giving a very artistic effect as the colours used are bold and eye-catching and thrown, drizzled and dashed on a black canvas. Alongside the sizzling sound of the food on the grill/fryer, the popular song of Clean Bandit - Rather Be is playing in a remixed format. The soundtrack is very light and moves in tone with the food and the audience will be able to recognise the track. The wording "Only M&S' suggest exclusivity and that this type of cuisine ("fresh from the British Ises) is only available with Marks and Spencer's. The wording and the imagery suggests the genre of a food advertisement.

The second advert I am analysing is 

Beyonce Pepsi Commercial - Grown Woman (2013)

Similar to the previous clip, there are a range of audio, visual and technical codes we can comment on. Singer, Beyonce uses her star power in the Pepsi advert to promote the brand. Beyonce has promoted the brand before in many commercials and advertisements in years before, she is also seen as a popular figure as to why she was used for the . A range of close up and full body length shots are used, in particularly when Beyonce is seen with closed eyes drinking the refreshment. Her facial expression suggests she is enjoying the drink. Her clothing is modern and skimpy suggesting not only sex appeal but activity as she is seen dancing.  The colours are overall dark although high definition. The lighting is dim throughout however spotlights appear on Beyonce only, putting definition on her pop star status The soundtrack used is Beyonce - Grown Woman as she is the only person throughout the clip and younger versions of her appear throughout. Slow motion is used also in this advertisement as the mirror shatters on the words "Grown Woman" which suggests power and command through the refreshment of Pepsi. The tagline "Live For Now" suggests that Pepsi is the drink to give you the energy to "live". The editing of the clip is similar to that of a music video which involve quick and close up shots. 

Why London is no place for a young black man?

                   http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/apr/10/black-in-london?CMP=share_btn_tw

Published April 2009

Written in the Guardian, Peter Akinti describes his experience growing up and living in London from birth as an African British child and offers his opinion as to why it is so easy for black males living in London to stray on the wrong side of the law.

He begins by telling us he grew up in East London "where you could get your arse kicked if you didn't learn fast to keep your mouth shut and your eyes constantly averted" and how he spent most of his time "hanging around, robbing bus conductors, breaking windows, stealing cars and challenging people to fight on the flimsiest pretexts". He got involved in a robbery at a young age and his Nigerian parents vowed to never let him out the house again. He explains that Nigerian culture doesn't allow room for parent/child negotiations which gives us context on his background and his national identity. He further goes on to explain  how he studied law for his parents - again something that is entwined in Nigerian culture, pleasing your parents and getting a "real" job.

Eventually going on to have his own magazine company, he explains why he is always at a disadvantage - because of his race. "Black men in Britain remain almost invisible, at the lowest level of the "racial hierarchy"

I found this article very interesting as it is relatable. Even though I am not a black male, I know many who find themselves in the same situation as Akinti had found himself in when growing up in the 90's. This article could also be used as a detailed example for my MS1 Media Exam in June for the topics of either race, issues or national identity.

Do we trust Mr Cameron?

Taxpayer 'pays for Samantha Cameron's £53,000-a-year fashion adviser'


A recent scandal has risen involving the Prime Minister, David Cameron and it has made the public question their trust and faith in our leader.

It seems like Mr Cameron has been avoiding his taxes. Last week, the prime minister was forced to admit that he had made a £19,000 profit from the Blairmore fund set up by his father after days of describing it as a private matter. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had claimed Cameron had “misled the public” and “lost the trust of the British people”. 

The salary of a "special adviser" who helps Samantha Cameron with her social diary and fashion style has also been disclosed which is an amazing £53,000 of the taxpayers money.  Labour MP for West Bromwich East says"It's outrageous that he is creating a royal court while at the same time axing half a million public workers."

I found this article interesting as it shows we can't even trust our own PM to pay his taxes and not waste OUR money on dressing his wife. In my MS1 Media exam, I believe this could fit into the representation of Issues. As we can see in left-wing papers such as the Independent, journalists will be more critical of Cameron whereas, in papers such as The Telegraph, they either do not mention the issue or either downplay it.

There have been many calls for Cameron to resign.