narrative and performance
Within the music video there is one main narrative in which the protagonist Shurwayne Winchester runs around the city inspiring people to “release the energy” as the lyrics suggest. He inspires people in two locations. The first being the gym where he inspires a group of cyclists and the second being at a wedding where he instigates people dancing.
During this the video cuts away to a scene in a disused warehouse where he has been tied up and being tortured by a lady. This itself differentiates the music video from conventional soca videos which depict the male singer as the guy who gets all the girls. In this video this is not even a factor as it focuses more on inspiring people to have fun. The tables are also reversed due to the fact that he is being tortured by a woman placing her in the power.
At the end of the music video like most Caribbean music videos it features another song as a method of using the original songs popularity to promote a upcoming song. The song featured at the end is “Make Love.” With the change in song, the music video changes completely to a scene in which Shurwayne is making love. From this it is clear to establish a link between the lyrics / title of the song to the narrative of the music video.
Despite the extensive use of a narrative there is also the usage of a performance shots in which the camera is tracking the protagonist as he walks around the city. Also shots feature him being chased by a truck, and once again as the lyrics suggest he is able to “release the energy” and push back the truck.
star image
as mentioned above this music video does invert some of the conventions of soca music videos. The simple usage of costumes has a impact on the star image. For example rather than the skimpy bikinis often featured in music videos the women are more covered up taking away the focus from them and to the music and having fun. Even during the end of the music video the lady is wearing a vest top so as not to distract from the music or the star Shurwayne.
However in covering up the women Shurwayne has also lost a top. This could be considered as him objectifying himself in order to appeal to his female fans. This is done through the usage of fragmented body shots which contribute to the sexualisation of him.
lighting and colour
with regards to colour yet again the music video differs from your typical soca music video as there is not extensive vibrant colours but instead the colours are slightly desaturated. The colour replicates that of a old photograph.
With the majority of the video being outdoors a lot of the lighting used is simply natural light. A lens flare can actually be seen when the sun is in the shot. However indoors the lighting used in the torture scenes is a hard light which creates the strong shadows that can be seen. In contrast when he is inspiring other people softer light is used, I believe this is done to replicate the florescent lights used indoors.
camera-work and editing
within the video a variety of camera shots are used, however one of the most notable is the usage of a mid shot which tracks Shurwayne as he staggers around the city. The shot tracks him as he walks around the city whilst performing the lyrics direct to camera.
During the torture scenes there is extensive usage of mid shots. However the camera is hardly ever static it is usually tracking the lady's actions. Different angles are also used, for example within the beginning a low angle is used to show the people jumping in the air, whilst in the end a high angle shot is used to during the bedroom sequence.
The usage of a variety of angles, moments types and shot types helps to keep the music video interesting throughout. It also enables the video to keep up a pace that matches the upbeat music.
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