Video Analysis Geri Halliwell

Here is the analysis of a video I did a while ago. We were asked to analyze this particular video as a practice, hence why it doesn't fit into the genre of our planned video.

The video begins with a track and tilt of Geri Halliwell wearing a short vest and brief pants, walking into a room towards a table of serious looking judges. Halliwell is holding a record in her hand. The opening sequence is intertextually similar to 'Flash Dance' suggesting that Geri Halliwell is there for a dance performance. The Mise En Scene also supports this image using iconography, such as the leg warmers she wears.

The camera lingers on one of the people at the table as Halliwell walks past them and a look of shock crosses his face. The position of the people suggests that they are judges, reinforcing the dance performance look.

The next scene shows her walking past one of the female judges towards a record player, another look of disgust from the judges shows the viewers that the judges are doubtful of her performance.

The audience is left with no doubt that Geri Halliwell is performing a dance sequence when she puts a record on.

The genre and setting of the video seems like an extract from a musical. Possibly Billy Elliot or Fame. The audience are unable to see the performers face until 30 seconds into the video. This lack of recognition is integral in the video as it builds up the tension, already established with the presence of the diegetic sound at the beginning of the sequence. Anticipation is continuously created by a series of fragmented body images as she begins to dance.

A music video is a vehicle for stars to promote themselves and Geri Halliwell uses this well. She recently released a Keep Fit DVD. The constant view of Geri's new figure is used to promote the effectiveness of her DVD.

Alex has done a few video analysis too, most of them are performance based. So have a quick look here and here.