Turntables - A level Media

• What was the song originally made for?


  She was approached by the documentary ‘All in, a fight for democracy’. This documentary focuses on voter oppression and drew attention to the tactics used to suppress voting rights to ensure the election of the Republican candidate Brian Kemp at the expense of Stacey Abrams, the black Democrat candidate. During the run up to the election, 1.4 million under-represented minorities disappeared from the electoral roll and 300,000 Georgians were incorrectly deemed ineligible to vote.
• In terms of music, what does turntables refer too?


  Turntables as a name refers the power of music which is reflected in the video at the start as we see Janelle pull out a record from her Jacket as well as her holding a record player/ suitcase as she walks along the beach and the song begins as they put the vinyl on and it starts playing. Music is often used to reflect political beliefs and used in a revolutionary way as well as the genre being hip hop/rap where they often sample old songs from records.
• In terms of change, what does turntables refer too?


  The idea that the tables are turning and things are going to change and in interviews Monae discusses how this song is to inspire people to keep fighting for equality and democracy in a time when people were feeling weighed down. She wanted to lift people up and remind them what they were fighting for and that change is coming. 
• What does the use of the beach symbolise and create?


  First shot of Janelle Monae walking along the beach, The beach is a recurring location in the video and it creates a narrative enigma. As well as the use of symbolism in this music video which leads us to believe that the beach represents freedom.
• What is the use of sound in the first scenes of the video?


  In this scene, all we hear is diegetic sounds of the ocean and the waves as well as the non-diegetic speech from the famous civil rights activist, James Baldwin as he discusses not being able to be a pessimist but having to be an optimist as he deals with whatever life throws at him. This sets the tone for the music video as being hopeful as Janelle tries to get across her message. 
• What does the use of shot type reflect in the first scenes?


  The use of the wide shot with the natural lighting creates a cinematic feel to this shot which links to how Janelle Monae describes the music video as an emotion picture which links to cinema. The use of the word emotion however, links to how she is attempting to get the audience to feel inspired and feel emotion instead of passively consuming. 
• What does the Final shot on the beach communicate?


  The Final shot of the video as Janelle stands on the beach next to the warrior statue, this is the resolution to the enigma. She is the centre of the frame with the statue in the foreground. We have no music in this, just diegetic sounds of the ocean. The use of this silence allows the audience to think and process what Monae has communicated throughout the video. 
• Who is the statue in this video?

  The statue is Orisha - spiritual deity, They typically want good things to happen for humanity. It is Yemaya, she is the orisha of the sea and is protective/maternal however if she is angered, she can be destructive.
• What is the statues significance in this video?

  The fact that she is in the sea could refer to when slaves were forced from their homes and taken across sea and possibly lost a lot of their culture in this time so as Janelle takes her from the sea could be her reclaiming her ancestral heritage. Anything pre-colonial African is often shunned and has been devalued throughout history by Christianity.
• What is significant about the family at the breakfast table?


  The American nuclear family all sitting around a table eating breakfast as the mother reads the paper and the father cooks breakfast refers to how the tables have already turned in this portrayal as it subverting gender stereotypes. The young girl is using the headset technology which could be interpreted as girls in stem subjects. 
• What are the importance of the lyrics?


  ‘America, you’s a lie’ said by this character as she uses a direct address to america. Referring to how America has not fulfilled its potential and hasn’t lived up to its promises. Referred to american politics and how it often suppresses minorities which links to the ‘All in, a fight for democracy’ documentary which focuses on that. 

  The mid shot and direct mode of address while breaking the fourth wall is to challenge American politics and the American people in a way of protests.
• What is significant about hairstyles in this family?


  The mothers hairstyle, elaborate and eye-catching, hair is significant as in Traditional African culture, hair in intricate styles suggested wealth and status. When the Slaves were taken, they were often forced to shave their heads and again remove part of their culture which in this video, has been reclaimed. In recent years, Black hair has been more accepted however many still have to face racism due to their Black hair texture and styles.
• What is significant about the Horse we see iconography of throughout the video?


  The iconography of the horse refers to the horses used by the police during BLM protests and how they committed police brutality using the horses, we can clearly see this by the saddle the horse wears in one scene. However, later in the video, we see the horse without the saddle referring to its freedom and allowing it to live its natural life.
• What is significant about the scenes with Janelle and the American flag?


  The American flag has connotations of white supremacy and racist as it is often used to oppress POC. During these scenes, the use of the camera work is very fast and energetic, reflecting the hip hop genre and the performance Janelle does. Janelle makes direct address in this scene to challenge the audience (America).
• What's the significance of the Blue post boxes piled up? 


  Locations of performance, US mail post boxes (blue) which refers to when the postal company had someone new make some changes which resulted in the post boxes being taken away which lead for many not being able to vote as they would use the post again linking with the documentary and links of voter oppression.
• What is important about the dress codes?


  Janelle wears a civil rights leader uniform throughout the video which portrays her as professional, and a leader of the fight for equality.
• what is the connection of the raised fists?


  The raised fists represents solidarity with the BLM movement and it is shown throughout the video. For example with the women wearing a mask, on the ground with her raised fists as well as the sport-man raising his fist in the 1960s.
• Experiment of children's dolls reference 


  The long shot of the young girl sitting in-front of two dolls, one white and one black. this is in reference to the original experiment where most children picked the white doll due to racism in wider society however in the video, the girl picks the black doll and clearly happy which shows how the tables have turned in this portrayal of the experiment.
• What type of music video is this and how is this communicated?


  Turntables conforms to the codes and conventions of the narrative/performance video. The aim of the performer is to interpret the lyrics through a narrative, of which they are an integral part. The artist in performance sings directly to camera, involving the audience in the story and leading them through the narrative. The involvement of the artist in this style of music video allows them to establish their star persona.
• What effect does the canted angles and fast-editing have?


  The canted angles combined with fast editing towards the end of the video as the music builds creates a sense of disorientation reflecting the need to disrupt the status quo.
• The use of a non-linear narrative 


  The narrative is non-linear. Monáe combines elements of the past, present and the future; they use the archive footage to highlight the injustices of the past and those still perpetrated in the present but, through the inclusion of happy children, looks to more positive future. The different narrative strands featuring as a series of clips are held together by the artist performing the song and engaging in direct mode of address with the audience, thus forcing them to engage with the issues.
• How does turntables construct a sense of reality?


  Turntables constructs a version of reality using real locations and believable characters combined with actual protestors, sports personalities, leaders and politicians who have spoken out and taken action against oppression. One example is Muhammad Ali, who throughout his life challenged white supremacy, segregation and all forms of racism. This is combined with a more surreal aesthetic using the music video form to engage the audience with the issues.
• How is positivity communicated in this video?


  With the inclusion of cultural iconography, such as the uplifting shots of groups dancing and singing together and interesting, iconic shots of young black women. Positive messages and values are embedded in these representations and, through the music video form, the audience is informed about the injustices of the past and present and encouraged to be active in seeking change.
• How do the lyrics communicate a message?


  The change in the lyrics from ‘I’ to ‘we’ reinforces the collective responsibility for what is happening in society.
• How does Monae portray ethnic groups in this video?(Hall)


  Monáe uses this music video to reinforce similarities rather than cultural differences in the creation of a common purpose to be successful and defy the odds against them. The representation of ethnic groups as victims and the notion of ‘otherness’ is avoided and replaced by more positive representations of power through protest.
• How does Monae portray feminism (bell hooks)


  Monáe, as an activist, demonstrates feminism as a political commitment rather than a lifestyle choice in attempting to challenge the under-representation and misrepresentation of social groups in this music video.
• How might different audiences respond?

  The responses of different audiences may reflect social and cultural circumstances. Audiences who may feel under-represented may be empowered by the messages encoded in this music video. The music video explores issues related to the experience of living in contemporary America as a member of an under-represented social group.