Navneet Saundh A2 Media Studies: A2 G324: SZA

DECONSTRUCTION:

SZA - Ice Moon
In this deconstruction I will be covering:

Synopsis
About the Artist
Popularity
Timeline
Mise en Scene, Narrative, Editing & Cinematography
Lyric Analysis
Record Label
Magazine Deconstruction
Digipak Deconstruction
Focus Group Feedback

I am particularly interested in SZA's music as I find it very real and positive, her music videos always tell a story and are very aesthetically pleasing. 'Ice Moon' takes a different path to the R&B genre, as it is very fantasy like with no artificial coloured lighting. In this section I will be looking at the artists artwork, video, magazine covers and background, to really understand her way of promoting her music.

SYNOPSIS:

The narrative of this music video is mainly performance based, it shows the artist as being care free wondering through the woods in excitement and happiness. She is the only character in this video therefore, the attention stays on her.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Solána Imani Rowe (SZA) is an American R&B singer. In October 2012, Rowe self - released her debut mixtape titled See.SZA.Run, which she then followed up with her second mixtape, titled S, in April 2013.

Her music includes elements of Soul and Hip Hop. SZA was also nominated for this years MTV Video Music Awards as Best New Artist.

POPULARITY:

I looked at SZA's Ice Moon music video on YouTube to see how popular her music videos are.

I wanted to also look at the comments she receives by her fans, to see what they thought of the video and how each individual may have felt after watching and hearing the song come to life.

It is clear that many of her fans adore how real and comfortable she is to be herself and not live up to the conventions of the R&B genre. The majority of the population nowadays think talented artists are hard to find, as the media is portraying music in a different way. Therefore, this video seems to reinforce the beauty of real musical talent.

The rawness of her music is reiterated in these comments. The video shows her in a natural state not talking about negative stuff or money, which is recognised as talent to the majority of people. Her music helps a lot of people, as it is very light and has a positive vibe.

I look at SZA's instagram to see how many followers she has. SZA has 2.1 million followers which is a large audience considering she is not that mainstream.

Lastly, I look at her Twitter and Facebook page to see her fanbase on these social media platforms.

TIMELINE:

00:00 - 00:05

The scene slowly fades in showing the actresses hand sweep across a tree branch. Her nails are manicured suggesting she looks after her appearance. The opening shot instantly tells the audience that the setting of the video is outdoors. The camera gently tilts upwards.

00:05 - 00:10

‘Ice Moon’ gradually fades into shot in a white bold font much like Jhene Aiko’s Wading. The typography is very detailed and unique representing this video being light and happier rather than dark and mysterious. The scene behind the text is very full of colour with natural lighting, creating a magical atmosphere. the scene crossfades to the next and the two o’s in moon, transition to a tree suggesting that the video will be set in a forest. Two vibrant flowers are presented in the background in high quality which looks very aesthetically pleasing.

00:10 - 00:20

The scene crossfades to a picnic blanket with unfinished food and patterned materials. The music here is very light and fantasy like which adds to the atmosphere created by forest. The camera gently moves towards the artists feet as she walks forward. A shot of greenery and flowers is appeared adding a vibrant colour to the scene, while the actress stand face back tp the camera wearing a long t-shirt dress.

00:20 - 00:35

A shallow depth of field close up shot of tree bark is shown with engraving saying ‘TDE + SZA’ therefore indicating a past relationship of friendship. The artists hand gently grabs the tree to help get her balance. A wide shot of the actress walking through the forest, the audience can only see the back of her. The artist begins to sing and the camera quickly cuts to her face lip syncing while standing innocently with nature behind her. Handheld shots are used here.

00:56 - 01:11

The nature and scenery is emphasised in the video through the repeat use of slow pans through trees and wide/long shots of the artist wondering through the forest. The video has a childlike fantasy idea to it, specifically how the artist is prancing around in a forest. More specifically, it feels very disney, with the nature, a single female singing surrounded by birds and earth.

01:11 - 01:35

The reflection of the artist in the water is presented through an upward tilt. Next follows a close up of the artist singing and walking forward through the forest. Minimal effects are used in this video possibly suggesting it had a low budget. However, the atmosphere and feeling the audience may feel, is very special.

01:35 - 02:05

The scene crossfades to the actress sitting in a high tree singing to the camera, again reinforcing the idea that she is living in a ‘fantasy’ world. She continues to wonder through the forest looking at the nature full of excitement. The colours and lighting stay natural to emphasise the videos verisimilitude.

02:05 - 02:22

White and purple balloons fill the scene. Therefore, supporting the idea that the artist is living like a child. Children love balloons because they find it fascinated that air cannot be caught or seen yet a balloon can be seen and touched. A balloon is very light and flies away with the breeze and children find this captivating. Side way tilt is used to show the artist through a long shot sitting in the tree.

The scene has a high saturation and contrast therefore, the colours look very vibrant and bright creating a disney like shot. The scene reminds me of ‘Snow White’ when she she is walking through the woods that looks enchanted. There is a repeated showing of pink flowers which connote to love, gratitude, appreciation and elegance. There are minimal dark colours in this video therefore the overall mood is ‘delightful’. the fantasy like scene ends with a close up tracking shot of her sneakers walking across a fallen tree.

02:45 - 03:11

The colour changes to a lilac. Lilac is a flower which expresses confidence and symbolises innocence. The scenes overlap as a crossfade is used as a transition. The video ends with a high angle shot of the artist looking down, her body appears as a silhouette.

MISE EN SCENE, CINEMATOGRAPHY, NARRATIVE & EDITING

When deconstructing the music video, I found that the shots and colours looked very similar to some disney movies. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Peter Pan, have a very similar visual to 'Ice Moon', this is due to the vibrant nature and high saturation. SZA is trying to describe her happy place, and maybe that is living like a child and being a 'princess'.