Lesson 3

Analysis of Stop Where You Are

Task 1: Quick recap questions

Give three adjectives for how Corinne Bailey Rae has been represented as an artist
What is the main message of Stop Where You Are?
What was Dyer's main argument in his star theory?

Answers

Adjectives for how Corinne Bailey Rae has been represented as an artist are: powerful, hopeful, inspiring, passionate, expressive, empowering, visionary
The main message of Stop Where You Are is about the importance of self-reflection and taking the time to pause and appreciate the present moment. The song encourages the listener to slow down and appreciate the beauty of life, rather than always rushing forward and missing out on the small moments that make life worth living. It also suggests that change is possible, and that we all have the power to make positive changes in our lives and the world around us.
Richard Dyer's theory proposes that stars in the entertainment industry are commodities created and marketed for profit and symbolic capital. Their value is based on image and marketability, and they are carefully crafted to appeal to specific audiences and maximises profits. Music videos often showcase and construct the image and persona of the artist, which can help to increase their marketability and appeal to specific audiences. The industry carefully crafts and manages the image of the artist to maximise their profits and maintain their power and influence.

Task 2: Detailed analysis

Answer the following questions in full sentences, using detailed references to the music video.

The juxtaposition between the brutalist architecture and the sky - what connotations does this create?
How does the mood of the video change towards the end? What could this imply about the wider message of the music video?
How does the video link to social and cultural context - how does it link to CBR’s personal hardships she had to overcome? How is this represented through the media language?
What connotations, other than the theme of hope could the ray of light symbolise?
Do you think CBR is a real person in this video or perhaps is she a visual metaphor for something else - a bigger message?
What does the location connote about the theme of entrapment?
Why is the breakdancing at the end important in solidifying the core message? What does it perhaps represent the future as?

Answers

The brutalist architecture represents the harsh, concrete reality of urban life, while the sky represents the limitless potential of the human spirit. This contrast can be seen as a metaphor for the struggle to overcome personal hardships and find hope in difficult circumstances.
The mood of the video changes towards the end as the main characters have now overcome their adveristies and are more happier (paralanguage of happy facial expressions etc.) bringing a sense of hope and inspiration. This change in mood implies that the wider message of the video is about overcoming adversity and finding hope in difficult situations.
The video links to social and cultural context through CBR's personal hardship such as the use of darkly lit room with tones of green and stark lighting creates a sense of darkness and struggle, while the use of light and color towards the end represents hope and triumph. The ray of light that is frequently used whilst Rae is lip syncing could imply her goddes qualities and that she is the beacon of overcomign adversity. This can be seen as a reflection of the struggles faced by many people in society who must overcome obstacles and find hope in difficult circumstances.
Other connotations of the ray of light symbol may include spiritual enlightenment or a sense of inner peace. It can also represent Rae as beacon of hope or a guiding force that helps people overcome obstacles and find their way forward.
It is possible that CBR is a real person in the video, but she may also be a visual metaphor for the struggles and triumphs of all people who must overcome adversity and find hope in difficult circumstances. She is that little force that pushes them to overcome their obstacles.
The location, which appears to be an abandoned building (combined with the brutalist architecture), connotes a sense of entrapment and confinement. This can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles faced by many people in society who feel trapped by their circumstances and must find a way to break free and find hope.
The breakdancing at the end is important in solidifying the core message because it represents the future as a place of possibility and creativity. It implies that through hard work and determination, people can overcome adversity and find a way forward towards a better future. It also represents the power of individual expression and the importance of finding one's own unique voice.

Task 3: Detailed analysis

Choose four of the below statements.

People can change and we need to work collectively to transcend prejudice.
Don’t judge a book by its cover - businessman + homeless women scene.
People are entrapped in their hardships and the buildings are a visual metaphor for this. The gates could symbolise how difficult it is to escape but juxtaposed with the blues sky could connote there is a ray of hope.
Walking out of darkness - link to social context of CBR’s husbands death but also connotes that people are capable of change and we need to give them the opportunity to do so.
How future society could look like; non-judgmental, happy people. Breakdancing is an form of expression of this.
The music video focuses on the representation of Corinne Bailey Rae as a powerful woman who comments on, and wants to address, social issues that affect our lives.
Youth are represented through a number of different stereotypes, both positive and negative, to communicate the message that young people, and different social identities, are more than just a stereotype.

For each statement, give detailed textual examples from the music video to support the statement AND explain the producer might have chosen to communicate these messages. You can create a similar table in your notes:

Task 4: Exam Question

Read the exam question below.

Step 1 - What are the keywords important to our understanding of the question?

Step 2 - What elements of media language / representation do we need to consider?

Step 3 - Reword the question in your own words.

What representations of Corinne Bailey Rae are there and how (through technical codes) are these constructed?

Task 4: Exemplar paragraph

Read the below response from a student.

What elements make this a successful response?
What elements of media language (evidence) are used to back-up their point?

New Learning: Essay structure

Point
Technical code (camera, editing, mise-en-scene, paralanguage)
Connotations
Link back to question
Bonus - theory (Neale, Feminist theories, Narrative theories)

Task 5: Planning a paragraph

Plan one paragraph using these pointers:

CBR is presented as a ‘goddess’
CBR is presented as a ‘guiding pathway’
CBR is presented as a ‘ray of hope’
CBR is presented as an example that you can transcend prejudice
CBR is presented as an example of how you can overcome personal hardships - linking to context of her being marginalised as a black female / husband passing away.

Use the template to help you.

Task 6: Constructing a paragraph

Now write your paragraph using the plan you have made.

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