Stormzy Superheroes Music Video Flashcards
(6 cards)
Media Language - How does the music video open?
Opening shot —> urban setting with wide shot of a UK cityscape. Accompanied with an audio code of birdsong —> connotes hope and optimism
Media language — how does the colour palette create meaning?
Soft pastel shades connote a positive mood e.g. pink sky —> connotes hope and optimism.
Gold highlighting the bones of Stormzy and the boy when appearing translucent —> reflects the lyrics about courage and inner strength
Media language - how is iconography used in the video?
Associated with black empowerment. Placards and raised fists —> send a message of black power
Placing the world in the boy’s hands + “Young black kings/queens” —> optimism, young people have the power to change the world.
Media language — how is Stormzy presented as a Proppian hero?
- Rescues the young boy when flying and falling (also intertextual reference to Toy Story)
- “Young black kings/queens” —> receive help from Stormzy + other inspirational figures on their journey towards empowerment
Media language — how are technical codes used to create meaning?
Low angle shot —> establishes Stormzy as the hero when first meeting the boy. Boy looks up at him from corner of the frame —> positions the audience to also view Stormzy as a role model
Representation — women
- “Young black queen” chops vegetables and washes dishes —> reinforces the stereotype of women being more powerful in the domestic sphere
However also suggests that the young black female is a superhero because she cares for her grandmother - Young female anxiously looking at her body in mirror (which represents the social issues of body image) but is empowered by Little Sims to embrace her natural black beauty through her gesture codes —> highlights the importance of positive black role models
- Female character wearing a Rashford football shirt challenges stereotypes as she is presented as a talented footballer
