1st music video idea

IDEA 1

Warren G and Sissel - Prince Igor Strangers in Paradise

Image

Collaboration between 2 artists - a rapper Warren G and a opera singer Sissel.

Warren G’s image 

Non bling, black, social commentator, similar to MC Solar and poet Benjamin Zephaniah 

Concept

Two artists occupy two parallel words represented by the globe. The first, the struggle of black people in America  and the civil rights movements versus the lush, abundant life of the opera singer who is part of elite American society.

Setting/Staging

Circular pivoting stage divided into two halves.  The first halve is dark and bare with scenes of the black civil rights movement in America  projected on to the back screen.  Scenes of Martin Luther King’s famous “I had a dream” speech.  Images of the Black Panther movement, Malcolm X etc.  The second half has a black bare stage with and a bright silver spotlight. She is singing with a glistening globe in hand.  Backdrop to the opera singer’s life images of Carnegie Hall in New York and other prestigious venues.

Props

Both artists are holding a glass globe of the earth. The rapper is holding a slight broken earth which burns and decays away.  The opera singer’s earth is beautiful and glistening.  The opera singer also has glass of wine to reinforce  the show of elegance.

Costume

Black rapper - black trousers with black, back, simple top.

Opera singer  - beautiful, long diamanté white dress.

Narrative

The narrative focuses on opportunity versus disadvantage. The black civil rights movement in America which gained momentum in the 1960’s represented by figures such as Martin Luther King through to the reality of poor, young blacks in America in the 80’s who too frequently found themselves pressurised into joining gangs to survive. The narrative represented by the opera singer is about the wealth, opportunity and high society.  

The circular platform is divided in two by a wall.  It turns so the spotlight falls on each artist as they perform.  As the platform turns so the rapper is under the spotlight, he raps and the projected backdrop shows the image of the civil rights movement.  The platform then turns to show the opera singer when she sings the operatic chorus. Behind her are the images of glamorous  New York high society, Carnegie Hall etc.  The juxtaposition of the two halves of the stage is a metaphor for the vast divisions within American society.

Style and visual strands

Simple, black and white theme.  The dark setting with the strong, white spotlight creates mood and atmosphere.  

Video

The video fits in with the track both in terms of the lyrics and music genres. The lyrics of the rap repeat the words “money” and “power” which are key themes in both worlds. The video will also be structured to flow with the track. The introduction will focus on the globe, then as the rapper begins will focus on him and his half of the stage. When the opera singer sings the video will switch to her and her half of the stage.  The video will end with a slow motion explosion of the glass globe.  The video fits with the track very well because of the huge contrast in styles of music - rap versus opera and the narrative around division.  The video will aim to highlight the differences in worlds and create a clear juxtaposition between the two.  The exploding globe is a metaphor for the need to breakdown divisions, barriers and inequalities. 

Star image

The video fits in with the star image of both artists.  For example the rapper is known for rapping about social and political injustice, racism, money and power.   such as the civil rights movement and what life is like for some black people in America. In my video, I am creating a “star”  as it builds on his ideology about equality and breaking down the divisions within society. He is known for putting his views across and getting people to listen to him. He therefore becomes a “leader”, an influencer and a social conscience for all Americans.  

The opera singer also exudes star quality through her success as an opera singer who has sung at Carnegie Hall, the most prestigious opera venue in America. Her beauty, elegance and talent also add to her appeal.