Music Video Research #2

Artist/Band: Adam Lambert

Song/Video Title: For Your Entertainment

Genre: Synth-Pop/Dance-Pop

Year: 2009

Video Director: Ray Kay

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Visual Style/Mise-en-scene:

The video in visual themes can be described as Gothic and Glam-Rock styled. There is a large use of shadows/shading contrasting with the heavy lighting, which gives everything enhanced edges, making everything look sharper and 'darker'. The use of candelabras and dashes of coloured lamps throughout, give an otherwordly/almost spiritual feel to the video. The setting is an 'underground' club (literally underground) which itself is synonymous with rebellious youth, music and the LGBT scene, which Adam Lambert as a text represents. 

The editing and particularly the pace, switches almost perfectly to the sections of the music, for example, everytime the drum-fill slots into the song, the editing flicks quickly between various shots.

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Narrative & Narrative Techniques/Devices:

Adam walks into the club and is acknowledged by the shots of knowing glances from people'

s faces that he is welcome here. At vagarious points he leads dance routines , sometimes appearing with solo parts of his own, the choreography showing he is the controller of them.

Adam is seen as the 'leader' here, even sitting in a throne and carrying a ornate cane, all symbols of wealth/power. Whilst this could be seen as him showing his material power, Adam then ditches these items for a microphone and a band, performing on stage to his crowd/fans within the video. This all symbolic and reflective of the song, which is about being unexpected and performing/giving yourself to others. Also echoed is the theme of love and sexuality. The song itself is doubled in meaning, it can be read as a song about entertaining and giving to others (fans) but also in a more sexual way, giving your body to others and 'entertaining' them in the bedroom, so to speak. The video contains this, with their being an almost orgy feel at some parts, with various members of the club flirting and passionately touching one another, regardless of gender etc.

The video starts and ends with a shot of the streets above this underground community. This switching back and forth to start and end is reflective that no one's really knows what's happening, right under their feet. This adds a mystery and rebellious nature to the video, which might strike a chord with certain viewers, who feel this mirrors their feelings and motivations in life.

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Conventional/Unconventional & Why?

While many elements are synonymous with the pop/dance music videos, including the mise-en-scene of the underground society, club with party-goers etc. aswell as the typical pop-shots of Adam singing with a band, Adam in a close up shot, then him walking through with his entourage, him leading a dance-routine are also generic of pop music videos. However, their are unconventional pieces and themes. The things that make this video conventional are more commonly found in female music artists videos, such leading of dance routines and glamorous costumes, this itself mirrors the videos theme of rebellious attitude, breaking forms of social obligation, that away from the people just above their heads, they have created a new, accepting society, where gender roles and labeling sexual orientation are not obligated, but almost  celebrated.

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What works/What doesn’t:

The 'darkness' in this film merged with the only slightly tense atmosphere, crates a mysterious effect, you aren't quite sure where the narrative will take you as you aren't put in a particularly familiar setting, this concept works.

Even though this song is Adam's debut single from his debut album and so was most probably marketed, along with the video to try and sell as many copies as possible, so tapped into the pop market, Adam's vocals set him aside from 95% of pop artists here, that he really, really, really can sing. I wished the video had focused on him in a less conventional way as if to make him blend into the background. I think this video can be seen as slightly too conventional for Adam Lambert's talent to be properly notified.