Textual Analysis: Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song



Within music videos, different techniques are use between a wide range of genres within the music industry. Elements such as Mise-en-scene can give a certain perception and feel to the music video depending on the target audience which is closely related the genre of the music for the music video. Other aspects such as Lighting, Editing, Sound and Camera Work all contribute to how effective the music video is and how appropriate it is to its audience.
Within the music video for Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song, the camera angle is instandly established as a 'webcam' type camera, this could suggest a personal connection between the viewer and artist. Bruno Mars, the star image, is seem adjusting the focus on the camera, this makes the role play of a webcam realistic in a way. As it is a 'webcam' camera shot, this suggests that it going to be continuous footage. This therefore means it wouldn't have many post production editing requirements. A sense of humour is created as Bruno Mars is with 5 other men wearing monkey marks. This is ironic with the artist as a similarity of the mask to Bruno Mars is built. Furthermore the clothing of all of the characters including Bruno Mars are wearing checked shirts. This is an icon of the star image as he usually wears shirts, emphasising a recognisable iconography. Also the prop of the sunglasses is used to connect all the characters but also emphasise this similarity of Bruno Mars to a monkey. This adds humour to this video, categorising the music video as a parody perhaps.
As the music starts all of the characters including Bruno Mars, nod their heads in sync with the beat of the music, this therefore emphasises the beat. This suggests that this video is choreography based and in sync with the song. Also some of the lyrics and moves become more emphasised, such as the 'Phone', represented by a hand gesture.
The nodding of the head becomes an icon of the song as it is repeatedly used throughout the whole track for that particular part of the song. This use of iconography makes this song stand out to others and therefore makes it memorable, the monkey masks also add to this.
The location of this music video is of a bedroom, this makes the camera technique of using the webcam look more realistic but also, it has a connection with the song title. Other elements of the Mise-en-Scene such as the curtains, this have been purposely closed, this emphasises the fact of what the song represents. This has a slight connection the a stereotypical teenage lifestyle as teenages are represented as 'lazy'. The music video is very modernised, from the camera technique of the webcam, suggesting technology. Furthermore within the lyrics of the song, this such as discussion of sex and college degrees also suggests a modern teenage lifestyle, this also could be said about the clothing as it is modern fashion, making a clear connection with the target audience of young adults and teenagers.
Another character enters the set, dressed in a dressing gown, has a clear representation of laziness, suggesting this character may be living there, a room-mate perhaps.
The use of syncing on screen imagery to the lyrics is used throughout the song, for example 'I just wanna lay in my bed', as one of the monkey characters falls on the bed. Furthermore, the some of the lyrics are abbreviated or slang, such as 'Wanna' and 'Cause'. This could be connected to the lazy attitude in which this song wants to represent, emphasising the fact.
Humour is a key element to the making of this video, such as the artist, Bruno Mars, being picked up by the monkey characters. Further more, a crude teenage representation of 'Let everything hang loose', as all of the characters including Bruno Mars pull down there jeans and being to trust. This may shock the view but from a humorous perspective. Throughout the whole song Bruno Mars is lip syncs, this makes this video a performance dancing is considered performance, furthermore Bruno Mars is thrown a guitar, this is another iconography of Bruno Mars's star image.   


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