A LEVEL MEDIA STUDIES UNIT G324 ADVANCED

PRODUCTION PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS OF A

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTBy Sam Walton

I am doing a illustrated analysis on the music video of “Shut Up and Let Me Go” By The Ting Tings.

The Production

Columbia Records

Kate White-Writer/singer

•Release Date: The song was released on 21st July 2008. The single was the follow up to “That’s not my name.” In Europe, the song was released on the 8th August 2008. The song was recorded in 2007.

•Label: Columbia Records

•Producer: Jules De Martino

•Writers: Jules De Martino and Katie White

•Length: 2:54 Intended Audience: Teens and festival lovers.

The Music Video:

•Directed By: AlexandLiane for Factory Films. They have also directed “Get Outta my Way.” Kylie Minogue “Parachute” Cheryl Cole and “Im not your toy.” La Roux

•Filmed: In one day

The song is the fourth single by the Ting Tings from their debut album “We Started Nothing”

The Video• The Ting Tings, perform kung fu in the video and they also use a variety of hand gestures to transition from scene to scene.

• According to the director, they said “the video was a bit over-ambitious.”

•They also said that the fight scenes “were just so time consuming to get right.”

• The hand gestures in the video, were inspired by the neoist art movement.

How it is identifiable as a genre product?

Disco (genre)

Dance-Punk Alternative RockAlternative Dance

• The song also comes under the genres of Disco, Dance, Alternative Dance and Rock. “Shut Up and Let Me Go,” is identifiable as a indie pop song because of the style of the video, the two performers and there costumes and there intertextuality into there videos. They also appeal to festival lovers and teenagers. The Ting Tings have performed at over 25 festivals.

Narrative StructureThe song is about a bitter break up between two people. The two performers in the video, show this by the kung fu scenes and the physical choreography.

Shut up and let me go This hurts I tell you so For the last time you will kiss my lips Now shut up and let me go Your jeans were once so clean I bet you've changed your wardrobe since we met

No oh so easily you're over me Gone is love it's you that ought to be Holding me, I'm not containable This time love is not sustainable

I ain't freaking, I ain't faking this...

I ain't freaking, I ain't faking this... I ain't freaking, I ain't faking this... Shut up and let me go, hey.

In the song, there is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals.

There is a relationship between the music and the visuals.

Intertextual references.

The song uses close ups of the performers.

Visual Style• At the beginning of the video there is a long shot of the performer (girl) and then the camera moves towards the girl and then the hand gestures begins for 10seconds in the introduction of the music. The hand gestures are used, to signify a transition from scene to scene. Every transition shows a different background and colour to each scene.

• Then a two shot is used to signify the two performers holding hands in a confrontational position. In addition, a pan is used to turn to the left and then a living room appears in the background.

• After, the two performers freeze in the frame with objects in their hands to show they are going to hurt each other.

• The hand gestures appear again for the chorus. But this time, the performers are on top of each other.

• In the next verse, a kung fu sequence is incorporated in a different location where the two performers are fighting.

• The repetition of the same hand gestures in the same spot are used again in the chorus where the music speeds up.

• The fight scene then continues until the male performer is flung into the air and then the music stops for a silent pause.

• The hand gestures appear again with a role reversal of the performers on the floor.

• The hand gestures are shown through different camera angles.

• The hands indicate a point of view shot.

• After, the two performers are left on the brown sofa with the luminous diamond shapes in the background.

• The end of video shows a blue door closing.

Character Representation:

• The female character is presented to be the most dominant person towards the male performer.

How does it link to music video conventions?

•In my opinion, the visuals relate to the lyrics because the words link to a breakup which is portrayed with physical actions such as the fighting sequences.

• The chorus uses lip syncing with the female performer singing the lyrics. The verses have the performers acting to the song with the lyrics in the background.

• The use of sexuality is incorporated into this video. The sexuality and domineering personality of the female performer is stronger in the video where she apprehends the male performer.

How successful is it appealing to the target audience?

• The video appeals to the target audience by making it physical and incorporating the set and costumes to be weird and random.