Research 8 : Bruno Mars - "Granade"

The video opens with a pull focus, going from blurred to sharp. This has been done very well and is a great way of starting it. As the lighting is low key to begin with, this pull focus helps develop focal point. The rain in the background signifies the upset and sorrow of Bruno. His Orange top conrasts against the darker colours in the rest of the shot. He is also singing into camera, starting with the performance based aspects.

The Bright lighing on the picture creates another clear focal point, however this time it is done as an attempt to take your eyes away from the artists and onto the photo. The LowKey lighting surrounding this shot created a of frame.

A close up of the artist holding a picture has been used to show his tattoo of her and them both in the picture. It is clear the tatoo signifies that his love for her was strong as he has a permenant picture of her on his arm. The breaking of the glass in the picture symbolises the break up of their relationship.

An over the shoulder shot is used here. The shot lenght of the broken glass is about half a second and on the beat. The glass is broken on her, symoblising that is was her that broke them apart.

Another pull focus was used when it jump cuts to a different location. This shot was very well done as it set the scene for the rest of the video. Like the broken picture shot, the shot length is fast. (around half a second) The tunnel roof looks very much like that of a cathedral. This could link with representations of marriage.

Close up and medium close ups are used cutting quickly between 2 different locations. In one of the shots he is singing into cam and the other shows a tracking shot of the artist struggling, pulling a piano through a tunnel. Piano's are closley linked with a feeling of love and emotion. The symbolism with the piano works very well with the narative and concept of the video. When the performance based shot is on, you are able to see his emotion and passion through the facial expressions he is making. These expressions develop the concept of a broken heart. This shot is effective as it has been used to symbolise the extent that he would go through to make the girl happy. He is wearing a black suit and a white buttoned up shirt and tie. This costume works very well with the natural lighting. The white shirt symbolises his innocence and purity. In addition, as he is wearing a suit, it shows that he wants to make a good impression look smart for her. Further constructing the idea that he'd do anything for her, even if is means dragging a piano miles through busy traffic wearing a suit.

Furthermore, natural lighting from the tunnel lights and passing cars are used in a close up shot of Bruno. This shot is very powerful towards the viewer as you can see how hard he is trying give the girl what she wants, developing the narrative of the video.

 A side on long shot is used here, showing the entire piano and him pulling it up using rope. The rope throughout these shots symbolise 'tying a knot' or getting married. He is dressing smart and dragging a piano to her to tie the knot on their relationship.

The shot then cuts as a truck passes, beeping its horn. Digetic sound is very effective in a music video with this type of concept and narrative to it. The medium shot shows the artists in complete darkness, you are only able to see his white shirt, piano and the walls of the tunnel. This shot could symbolise how closed in he is due to him being surrounded by nothing but darkness.

A close up of a homeless man in the tunnel emphases how desperate the artist is to 'tie the knot' on their relationship. The homeless man is wearing a red hat, this could have been used in order to develop a warm atmosphere in the shot as red represents love and desire. However, red also represents danger and hatred. Either of these representations could work with the concept of this video as he loved her but she doesn't love him.

The shot then becomes performance based as he is singing on camera. His tie is still fully on and his top button is still up. The camera also tracks him from the front.

Furthermore, as bruno leaves the tunnel, he is seen by a group of gang members wearing white tops and sagged jeans. They also have many tattoos. All of the costume designs in this shot portray gang member stereotypes very well. As he is wearing a suit and tie, he really contrasts the group, showing how different they are from each other.

Slow motion of the bull dog barking creates a scary atmosphere for the shot. Bull dogs can be very aggressive and are commonly stereotyped with people who commonly break the law. As well as this, the chain around its neck develops the intimidating atmosphere more.

A wide angle shot shows the gang members yelling at Bruno in an intimidating way. He is seen trying to ignore them. This shot is again reinforcing the meaning of him pushing past everything in his way to give her what she wants.

The chourus is then played for a second time. the average shot length beings to slightly faster. A close up of a crazy man stood in an alley way is played to show him turning around and seeing bruno dragging the piano. It then cuts to a side angle long shot trackin the artist meeting this crazy man that runs up to him. The crazy mans camoflague jacket really develops the synergy front the graffiti on the walls in the background.

A extreme long shot shows the POV from the girls window. You can see Bruno still dragging the piano through. It then cuts to a medium close up of the artist looking up at the window. The natural ligting really develops the shot. his top button is now undone and his tie is pulled down. This emphasises his struggle. As he is looking up at the window it represents the dominance of the woman and the control she has him.

A POV shot shows us the artists perspective. The woman he brought the piano for is seen in a low angle, kissing a man. She is wearing a white top, symbolizing her purity and perfection. Seeing her in such 'pervection' liks with laura mulveys theory of "Male Gaze". Although she is not in minimal clothing, she is still considered very attractive towards the male audience and it is clear they have done this to show her as a perfect woman.

An over the shoulder, extreme longshot is used now showing her perspective of him then walking back with the piano. Like the other shot, he is seen from a high angle, symbolzing her dominance and power over him. The road is empty realy representing his lonleyness in an intense way.

The lyrics match realy well with the visucla in this shot. When he sings "You never, ever, ever, did baby" She is seen almost hiding away as if she has been caught out. It then cuts to another close up tracking shot of himpulling the piano.

The chourus then repeats again. However, as it is the last chourus he seems to almost be shouting the lyrics. This really creates an emotional atmosphere for the viewer as you can see how hurt he is. A close up tracking shot follows him up a bridge now pushing the piano up. He is no longer using the rope. This could mean that now  hes caught her with another man he doesnt want to 'tie the knot' on their relationship. This shot is also performance based as he is singing.

In the folling shots he is then pulling the piano with the rope again. This could symbolise that he doesnt know what to do with her and that he would forgive her and tie the knot. A meduim close up of a priest seen walking across the street infront of him. That also represents he concept of marriage and love.

Finally, red lights are shown, represneting a train track. Red symbolizes danger. The ending sequence of the video shows him standing on a train track singing "but you wont do the same". As the whole son is about him doing everythign for her. This is a very powerfull message shown through a video and song.

How This Research has Influenced my Planning and Creativity

• I love how the concept and narrative of the story is told clearly throughout. I really understood what the video was about.
• I also liked the representations in this video. (The rope, piano, suit)
• I liked the way lighting and colour was used to further portray the emotions and develop tension.