Deconstruction of Jay-Z feat Rhianna and Kanye West- Run this town video

Mise-en-scene: Black clothes are used by everyone in the video, bandanas and hoodys used to cover the faces, simple clothing with accessories such as gold chains and bracelets and such are used to make the outfits unique. Most of the video is shot in the streets, or abandoned buildings, up turned cars are scattered throughout the streets along with debris, smouldering objects on fire also make reference to the songs name as it shows the large group of people “run” the town. The “ghost town” shows that they have people running scared and the use of batons and fire sticks gives an aggressive feel to the video and the burning torches give it a somewhat barbaric and basic feel.

Camera shots/angles/ movement and composition: the video starts off with a mid shot of a man holding a burning torch which is zoomed in on. Out of focus shots of large groups of people and also close ups give the feel of actually being part of the rioting group. Hand held cameras are used through most of the video, tilting up as if trying to see what is going on but also used as if walking through the crowed. Tracking and dolly is used to follow the groups and wide shots are used to capture not only the person but also the background which most of the time seems to be baron. A three shot of Rhianna, Jay-Z and Kanye West shows the three to be the ring leaders as they are shown in a high angle to show superiority. Tracking is used to follow all three individually and mid shots are used to show individual members of the gang.

Editing: there is a lot of quick editing in the video, shot takes are used to show different things that are happening in the same time frame, the editing is mostly non continuity but fade in and outs are used to continue on the shots and also to overlap images to convey what is happening in the video. Slow motion during walking makes it seem like they are marching to war and eye line matches with the three authority figures shows that they are more important than the others. Short takes of individual members shows the severity of the masses or perhaps shows they are second in command and a quick take of a large spiked gauntlet shows that they do not oppose violence.

Lighting: they use natural lighting, the darkness around is illuminated by the torches of fire and also the rising sun shows they do not rest and also casts a slightly forbidding glow across the whole set.