Ill Manors broadcast: music video analysis

Ill Manors broadcast: music video analysis

Media Forms
How is it typical of a music video? 
Media Representations
How does it represent the London riots/rioters?
Media Audiences
What audience pleasures does the music video offer?
Media Institutions
How does the music video help to promote the film of the same name?

Media Forms
How is it typical of a music video?

Plan B's music video "Ill Manors" adapts an aspect of a typical music video as this has a strong meaning behind it from the use of the visuals. As seen in the music video it is very conflicting through the groups of people used, one being those of authority and one being people that are living in a council house estates. This gives the music video meaning as this emphasises the on-going battle between these two groups of people and the problems within British society that are looked profoundly upon. The narrative of this video can also be seen through the visuals as there are rebellious actions like the riots, fighting and havoc to show the engraved anger that those in this circumstance have towards politicians that do nothing to help them which presents the overall tone and mood of the lyrics and meaning and therefore reflects that aspect of a typical music video.  

Another aspect of a music video that "Ill Manors" has is a performance of the artist. Plan B is seen throughout the music video lip syncing the song amongst real life situations whilst carrying out a visual style that reflects this. For example, the scene in the music video where Plan B is a part of the group of youngsters whom are in a council estate and are rilled up. Plan B reflects this type of theme by the clothes that he is wearing and the actions of him which can be seen as a performance as he is mirroring the lyrics of the song which is a key convention of a music video. Also, there are numerous close ups and the use of the ideology of a "spectacle" as often Plan B is directly addressing the audience by "looking at them" making them feel involved in what is going on in which is normally a feature of a music video. 

Also, an aspect of a typical music video that is incorporated in "Ill Manors" is a clear theme. As the genre of this song is rap, the theme of this is normally associated with streets and violence and this is portrayed in "Ill Manors". It can be seen clearly as the setting of the music video is outside and the characters seem streetwise. There is alot of violence and defiance included like robberies which carry out and present a clear theme to what the music video is about and the genre that it is entitled towards. The theme is also illustrated through the pace of montages and lighting as it is light and gloomy at the start of "Ill Manors" but towards the end it is quite dark which symbolises the stereotypes of young people which is that they are out on the streets all day and represents the objective of the music video which is a key aspect of a music video. 


Media Representations
How does it represent the London riots/rioters?

Plan B's music video "Ill Manors" represents the London riots as there is the cause behind the riots - police. The overall objective of the London riots to get justice behind a young man that got shot by police and youngsters did this by arson and looting which can be seen in the music video. This represents the London riots as the same events that happened in the riots is reflected in the music video like the burning of police cars, shop lifting and causing havoc and is represented as there are numerous stand of's between police and young people. Also, this ideology is literal as there is a mention of the riots in "Ill manors" where the audience can make the inference that this song represents the London riots. 

"Ill Manors" also represents the London rioters as there are young people in the music video. The London riots were mostly carried out by youngsters that got in a form of communication with each other through social media and this can reflected where the female is holding the phone recording the fight. In addition to this, most of the youngsters were seen as the "lower class" and this is mirrored through the way that they are dressed in this music video - mostly in tracksuits with their hoods up or wearing a cap. This appearance carries the stereotype of trouble and violence which is fulfilled in "Ill Manors" and therefore represents the London riots as it can be seen that there are a gang of young people causing devastation. 


Media Audiences
What audience pleasures does the music video offer?
The audience pleasures that the music video offers is personal identification - Blumber and Katz. Young people who are in this situation that are living in a council house and classed as "chav's" will watch "Ill Manors" and will concur with the points made in this music video. For example, where there is a mention of the youth centre being closed down and the members of that having nothing to do, people who have experienced that will feel a connection to the music video and audience pleasures will be met through this. Also, those who did go out and participate in the riots who feel a general attack from society because of their actions would see that this video is going against that ideology that the riots was a bad thing and therefore they will be able to connect to "Ill Manors" and audience pleasure will be met.  

Plan B's "Ill Manors" has the audience pleasures of understanding. The particular segment of the audience that did not understand London riots or why a number of young people act a certain way will get closure on this as the reasons behind this is explained in the music video. "Ill Manors" is speaking out to an audience that always think bad of young people's actions and make them realise the effects that the outside society has on them and therefore other people will watch "Ill Manors" and start to understand young people meaning that when they go out or see a young person, they will keep in mind the message portrayed in "Ill manors" and feel less disgusted or frightened. This is a part of audience pleasures. 

Media Institutions
How does the music video help to promote the film of the same name?

The music video helps to promote the film of the same name as the movie is also called "Ill Manors" and the music video addresses some problems that are mirrored in the movie. The lyrics are based on the attitude and thoughts of young people that live in council houses and associates them with things like smoking and carelessness which is seen in the film aswell. This promotes the film as people will view the music video and get a gist of what the film would be about and if they are interested they will feel urged to watch the film. Also, as the music video is named the same as the film, this synergy will cause the audience to remember "Ill Manors" and be able to easily remember the film title which will promote the film. 

"Ill Manors" promotes the film as this is a short visual and sums up what the film is about. This media platform promotes the film as music is normally catchy and the more consumers listen to the song, the more they will start to observe the underlaying message leading them to do more research on the music video and by association they will come across the film. This will promote therefore promote the film. Also, the "Ill Manors" music video helps to promote the film "Ill Manors" as the characters that are in the movie are also in the music video. This will lead the audience to identify those in the music video and through this synergy if they like the look of some of the characters, this will encourage them to want to see more of the characters and therefore they will watch the film.

Ill Manors soundtrack research task

Research the Ill Manors track and soundtrack album - focusing particularly on the institutions and critical reception. Find out:

• the record companies/institutions behind Plan B
• sales/downloads for the soundtrack
• music reviews 

   
The record companies/ institutions behind Plan B

• Atlantic Records
• 679 Artists 
• Mercury Records
• Warner Bros. Records
• Asylum Records
• Cordless Recording

Sales/ downloads for the soundtrack

Chart (2012)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)	89
Scotland (Official Charts Company)	9
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)	3
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	6
UK Official Streaming chart Top 100	89

Music Reviews

79% - Rotten Tomatoes

2/5 - The Guardian 

7.1/10 - IMDB