Music Video CW - Analysis = Eyetalian Frenchip (31/08/14)

Analysis of Music Video

CJ Fly - Eyetalian Frenchip

This is a analysis of New York Rapper CJ Fly's music video Eyetalian Frenchip. The video opens with a Establishing shot of a cityscape with the yellow bold lettering appearing in the centre of the frame. 'A story by CJ Fly' thus immediately confirming that this will be a narrative driven video. From here the camera cuts quickly to different angles of the skyline of New York from which the birdseye shot catches the distinctive yellow cab. Accompanying the sequence of shots that pay homage to this urban jungle is a mixture of non diegetic sounds of horns beeping and laughter and chatter to add to the realism and so the viewer can immerse themselves into the city. Additionally a voice over is used from the film 'A Bronx Tale' and yet there are more underlying connotations and references to New York. 
The audio composition is consistent with the theme of the video as the violin strings imbed a sense of romaticsm and dramatism to the video. At a close up shot we are introduced to the video's protagonist who is praying at a church. Stereotypically the young black male is dressed in casual attire and has dreadlocks however he is praying at a church. This is intune with Sven E Carlsson's theory that everything is perceived as opposites. Its perhaps the perception of the young black male praying at a catholic church made visible through a long shot of the alter and virgin mary which is made to seem unconventional by the director. The camera cuts to a medium shot tracking the protagonist panning to the right switching locations to a varnished wodfloor and smoky decor. The characters mis en scene has changed to a suit with a bow tie and thus further questions stereotypes and perceptions about young black male's. It's from the church to this scene that lyrics reflect the message of reflection over a lost love and of regret and sorrow. 

The camera cuts to the interior of restaurant. A over the shoulder shot convey's a misty figure in the background whose mis en scene creates the feeling of paranoia and yet power and protection over the protagonists girlfriend. It seems the narrative tone of the video begins to set in here and it is clear that the director has drawn influence and taken conventions of the Italian American crime genre where the a high ranking official within a gang is weary of somebody or disapproves of a relationship in particular a interacial one. From the artists lyrics where he repeats "love triangle" strengths the audiences feelings of one mans disapproval against a contempary issue that is iteracial marriage. 

The use of quick cuts between images create the sense of confusion and mixed emotions for the protagonist. Amongst some of the shots of women in tight dresses sexualise and objectify them for which the protagonist has to battle his lust for them. The use of symoblism's in the video are also quite stark. Shots of red flowers link back to when the protagonist is buying his lover a rose. These connotations in particularly the directors fondness of the red and it being used as a reoccuring image which relates to the power and love