
Jake Bugg was born in Clifton, Nottingham, to musical parents who separated when he was young. His father, whose last name was Bugg, was a nurse, and his mother worked in sales, both having previously made recordings. He grew up in the Clifton council estate of Nottingham and started playing guitar at the age of 12 after being introduced to the instrument by his uncle Mark.

In 2012, Jake Bugg self titled his album in october, being his debut album which ended up having a large amount of success. On the 21st of october the same year, his song "two fingers" was placed as being 28th in the Uk charts, while the album which the song was part of was in fact number one in the UK charts. Many considered the artist as "a talent fusing retro folk with blistering contemporary rock rtfs", being hailed for bring a unique element towards his music and the twist which he added towards the genre of songs he branched out into. The album which two fingers belongs to to this date has sold 604,100 copies, being the 57th best selling album of the 2010 decade. Later this year in may, Bugg appeared on the bbc musical program later ... with Jools holland. In the same year again, Bugg was the supporting act for Noel Gallaghers high flying birds at Belsonic music festival, in belfast. He also made a number of other appearances at venues that year, it being an important break through year for the artist. To the current day he is still releasing lyrical content which is popular amongst the public and the media, being present at big musical venues such as the ones mentioned previously alongside music festivals, during which releasing new albums and lyrical content. The artist belongs to the record label of "Mercury", and has done for a number of years. As mentioned previously, bugg has had good success when it comes to his album purchase numbers and general popularity
The first music video of Jake Buggs which I shall analyse is "what doesn't kill you", one of his many songs which falls into the indie genre. This video in particular follows many conventions of the music genre, although at times it can defy them to an extent to appeal towards the target audience in a more efficient way.

The video follows the Goodwin's theory point of having either a narrative, concept or narrative element towards it. This is as throughout the entire duration of the video, the whole video is just showing the artist performing the song. This can be conventional to the indie genre as indie artists music video either follow a performance only video, or that of a narrative or concept only video. This could be done for a number of reasons. The first of which could potentially be that the artist wants there performance to be the main focus so that there face gets out there more, as indie artists dont often have a very big following and run on low budgets, so through doing this it makes those that watch the music video recognize the artist, so perhaps when reminded of the song they remember the artist. This is beneficial towards the audience also as it allows for there attention to be fully focused upon the artist, making them more immersed in there performance.
Another element within Goodwin's theory is evident, which can be seen through the lyrics and visuals relating towards each other. This is as the lyrics and visuals appear to relate to each other throughout, as the song itself is called "what doesn't make you stronger", the lyrics throughout the video linking towards the artist expressing what he has gone through, which has an emotional impact upon the artist. This portrayal of the lyrics and visuals of the artist looking down is evident through the use of the setting of an empty, dull room surrounded by dark shadows. Alongside this, the body language of the artist connotes him as being emotionally damaged/ drained as it comes across as being very limp and weak, correlating with the lyrics. This is appealing towards the audience as it allows for them to connect with the artist easier, due to the visuals and lyrics portraying the emotion which the artist is showing throughout his performance, which enables for the audience to build a relationship with the artist.

Throughout the music video, the artist Jake Bugg is represented through a number of different outlets. From the start of the video to the end, the video consists of just Jake Bugg performing the song, for this reason he is present throughout the entire duration and practically every shot, excluding the ones focusing upon the mise-en-scene, all of which makes the representation of the artist clearer. One example which can be taken in which the artist is portrayed in a certain way is the very first shot where Jake Bugg is shown, where the setting which stays the same is introduced. He can be seen through the use of a long shot looking away from the camera, in an empty room showing a mode of address away from the viewer. This could potentially connote that he is somewhat of a loner, or that he is unhappy or depressed. Alongside this, the lighting of the artist is especially darker than any other segments within the video, which could also connote that he is a dark person, or shows very little emotion towards things, which is supported through the dull and lifeless facial expressions which are shown throughout. This is conventional of the indie genre as the artists are often shown in a dark light, often being shown as going through something emotional or having done, which is hinted here. This is appealing towards the viewer as they may sympathise for the artist because of this. As this shot is present right at the beginning of the video, this could try and create a relationship between the artist and viewer straight from the off, which is only re-enforced later through the use of cinematography, specifically extreme close ups which help build a relationship between the viewer. This portrayal of the artist is evident through the lyrics, more specifically in the third stanza where the artist says I couldn’t face the world without her eyes, I never knew it till she disappeared. This supports the idea of the artist being a loner, showing that he has been conflicted emotionally in the past, which is reflected through the lyrics within the song.

The target audience for the music video is what would be expected for a song from an artist which falls into the indie genre. At the very beginning of the video, a parental warning can be seen straight from the off, stating how there is explicit content within the video. Through having this present at the very beginning of the video, it removes the idea of the video potentially being catered towards a younger audience. Indie artists often have a smaller following a niche target audience, where Jake Bugg follows this as I believe this particular song has a target audience of those aged 18+ over. I believe this due to the elements throughout the video, including the mise-en-scene use and conventions which are present throughout. The general style of the video appears to mimic former indie artists, an example of which being Bob Dylan. An example of this can be taken from the video being in black and white, which has been a common convention throughout the indie genre of music for many years. Relating towards the audience, this appeals towards an older audience as the convention of having black and white visuals and generally having a retro feel is appealing towards an older audience, due to the potential nostalgia factor, associating the song with previous indie artists and artists as a whole. During the very beginning part of the song, the artist can be heard talking about his own experiences in his home town "drinking outside car parks", telling personal stories of times of hardship for himself, which contrasts between this star like portrayal seen within the images. This allows for him to come across as being both a star and a relatable individual, which the audience may find appealing as it shows different two personas towards the artist. This creates diversity and provides with a different element towards the artists portrayal and the overall feel of the video.

The style of music video similar to that of what the audience would expect from an indie music video, consisting of performance and only performance. The entire music video is of Jake Bugg performing to the viewer, primarily showing a direct mode of address throughout the video. This is conventional of the indie genre as they often contain a strong element of performance throughout, which is done for multiple reasons. Through having the artists performance shown, it provides with additional exposure of the artist as the focus of the video is placed just on the artists ability to perform the song, which may appeal towards the viewer if they enjoy it, which may result in him gathering a bigger following. This is appealing towards the audience as there attention is drawn solely towards the artist and there ability to play there song, giving the viewer a better experience as it is not distracted with having multiple purposes behind the style of video, such as incorporating a narrative or concept. This is beneficial for the artist also as through this style of video, it provides with additional exposure for them. Alongside this, the lyrics within the song also reflected personal tales of the artist, providing with a closer insight towards him. This is evident in the third stanza once again, where the artist says "I couldn’t face the world without her eyes, I never knew it till she disappeared, My life would be a bunch of souvenirs". This gives a more 'personal' account of the artist towards the viewer, and may make them feel as if they can connect to him either more on a deeper level through the presence of personal and emotional lyrics, paired alongside with him being the primary focus of the visuals.
Within the music video by Jake Bugg, the use of mise-en-scene, specifically settings and props can be evident to be conventional to the indie music genre. At a number of moments during the video, the camera can often be seen focusing upon said props, usually that of the artists electric guitar or the guitars amplifier. Both of which items are parts forms of mise-en-scene which is actually present throughout the video. Zooming into these forms of mise-en-scene makes it very apparent that the music video contains convention aspects which would be expected to be present throughout a music video. This is appealing for the viewer as these items make it apparent that the music video is conventional to the genre, through doing so appealing towards fans of the genre as the items which are present on screen are appealing for the viewer. In regards to the setting, it is just an empty backdrop/ room, in which the artist can be seen performing ahead of it. The setting allows for the focus soley upon the performance of the artist as it is very dull, has very little colour to and lacks anything in particular. Through having this setting and allowing for the artist to be the main focus, this is appealing for the viewer as there attention is never drawn away from the artist, making them fully experience the performance of the artist.
The use of hair and makeup for mise-en-scene use is not particularly noticeable throughout this music video, which could be for a number of reasons. The artist cant be seen wearing makeup when the camera zooms into his face, although this is expected for a male indie artist and would be unconventional for them to be wearing any form of noticeable makeup which the viewer would be able to see. In regards to the hair, the artist can be seen as having a rather basic hair style, not being styled, being left natural. Artists within the indie genre commonly have long hair which is un styled, in this instance it could potentially link towards the portrayal of the artist and the appeal towards there target audience and the viewer. As his hair is "normal" hair which would be expected of from any member of the public, this could be done to portray him in a down to earth light. This is appealing towards the viewer as the artist is shown in a more relatable light, which could make the viewer feel as if they can relate more towards the artist, through doing so enabling for a relationship to be made between the viewer and the artist because of this.
Within this music video, the artist Jake bugg is shown in the majority of shots, due to which his facial expressions and body language are clearly seen. Throughout, both elements of mise-en-scene are used to portrayal the artists emotions towards the viewer, the song and visuals both linking towards the portrayal of the negative emotions the artist shows. This is evident throughout all moments within the song in which an extreme close up is used to zoom into the artists face, where he can be shown very little emotion, being very dull. This could be done to show how emotionally drained the artist might perhaps be, which is conveyed to the audience. This is appealing for the audience as they are shown a better and more personal insight into the artist, which may portray them in a way which they hadnt had associated with the artist previously. This could enable for a relationship to be made between the viewer and artist as the viewer may feel as if they have a more person connection with the artist due to this portrayal. The idea of the artist being emotionally drained is also evident through the lyrics within the song. This can be seen when the artist says "she packs her bag and then she runs and all I can do is watch her go, I’ve lost all I own", which clearly shows how the artist has been emotionally damaged in the past, and is using the song as a form of emotional suppression.
The lighting/ colour of the music video by Jake Bugg would certainly be considered as being conventional to the indie genre. At the very beginning of the video, it is evident that the video has been edited to be black and white. Although despite this, the setting of the music video would be dark regardless of this as it is set in a small closed room, where the artist is shown as having a dark shadow over him at multiple points throughout the video. This could be done to follow the commonly used convention of editing indie videos into being black and white, adding a darker and more retro feel towards them. This is appealing as it directly caters towards the target audience, which is a mature audience of those aged 18 and older, appealing towards them through the retro vibe which is emitted throughout through making the images and visuals darker.
On a number of occasions throughout the video, the artist Jake Bugg can be seen portraying a number of different positions while performing his song, which as mentioned previously is the style of the music video. The most common mode of address which he shows is that of a direct mode of address towards the audience why performing. A specific of this can be taken near the middle segment of the music video, where he is centred in the middle of the shot, facing towards the camera as he performs. This is conventional to the indie genre as it portrays the artist as addressing the viewer directly, which is appealing for the audience as it is as if they are performing in front of them and just them personally. Through this personal connection element which is incorporated through this, it enables a relationship between the artist and viewer to be made.


The second form of cinematography which comes up frequently throughout the video is the use of a long shot, where the artists full body can be seen, where he is holding his guitar and the entire background of the video is present. This is repeated on a number of occasions. One specific example of this can be taken near the middle segment of the song again, where the whole mise-en-scene is present within the shot. This could be done to show the artist having a direct mode of address performing to the audience still to maintain the building of the relationship with them, alongside showing the conventional items of the indie genre, which can be seen being the electric guitar, amplifier, and his leather jacket. Through doing this, it is appealing for the audience as allows for a greater perspective of the setting of the video, allowing them to see the artists performance better, while doing so letting the artist maintain there direct mode of address. This allows for the creation of a relationship between the viewer to be maintained.
Throughout the video, the visuals have been edited to reduce the saturation levels throughout, to provide with a black and white effect. This is done to the effect of providing with a more retro feel towards the visuals, generally giving it a more old fashioned style towards the music video. This is conventional to the indie genre as a black and white effect is often edited in due to the portrayal of the music video which is achieved through this, which can also link towards a darker themed message/ themes at time, which in this video it links more towards a sadder tone, due to the song being related towards the artists struggles. This is also appealing towards the target audience as the target audience is often of an older audience, which appreciate an element of messages and values portrayed throughout due to its intellectual appeal, alongside the nostalgic feel which is evident through the retro like visuals.
As mentioned previously, a paradox within Dyers theory is that the star is both absent and present throughout. It could be said that this is in fact present throughout this music video of Jake Bugg. This is as he is only present during two parts of the song, firstly at the very beginning and lastly at the very end, where he is standing stationary throughout. This shows him as being absent and present as the video itself has no editing and is one continuous camera shot, through doing this it gives the viewer the impression that the artist hasn't gone anywhere while he is off screen, as he is show standing still looking at the camera at both instances. This is appealing towards the audience as it gives the impression that the artist is present throughout the visuals of the song, as the song can be heard to continue to play after the artist leaves the shot. This could make the viewer feel closer to the artist on a deeper level as when he is physically present on screen, he displays a direct mode of address towards them. This may enable the audience to be a relationship between the artist.
Another paradox stated within Dyers theory is that the star is both ordinary and extraordinary, which is evident throughout this music video by Jake Bugg. This is achieved through the portrayal of the members of the public in the background alongside how the artist is portrayed also. He is shown as being ordinary due to the setting of the video, and the way the which he is portrayed as being a down to earth ordinary person, as it is a everyday setting surrounded by members of the public wearing practically identical types of clothing as him. Although opposing this, he is also shown as being extraordinary due to the way in which this idea of him being down to earth is portrayed. This is evident as he is only present at the very beginning and end of the video, during which parts he is made the main focus showing a direct mode of address. Through doing this, it makes him clearly stand out as having more importance amongst those in the background, as the use of shallow editing is also evident to make the artist clearer to identify. This is appealing for the audience as he is shown as being a down to earth relatable person through his ordinary representation, although alongside this being shown as being extraordinary as he is shown in a superior light through the use of the artists positioning within the frame, alongside the use of cinematography, specifically the shallow editing. This provides with the audience of being able to create a relationship with the artist, while doing so still being able to aspire to him due to his inspirable portrayal of being important and noticeable amongst everything else in the frame.


Within the video "Messed up kids" by Jake Bugg, the representation of the artist is evident through a number of different outlets, his portrayal being slightly different to that of his previous video. Unlike the previous video, the artist isn't present nearly as much on screen, being only shown on a handful of occasions where he can be seen standing still where the camera pans him and the surroundings behind him. He can be seen wearing a standard dark coloured Jacket alongside Jeans where he is shown, very standard everyday where. In the background of the setting the members of the public can be seen also, wearing similar types of clothing to him. The setting itself appears to be that of a rather cheap and run down area, one of which that might have issues with poverty and low incomes. Through the artist being shown as wearing the same clothing as the younger people in the video, it could be him implying to the viewer that he used to be like them, being brought up in a poor area. This could therefore be done to show the viewer how he hasn't forgotten his roots and his origins, and that this part of his life is still there with him today. This is appealing towards the audience as the artist is showing how he isn't any different to them and never has been, portraying how he himself was brought up in a poor area of Nottingham and that he is retelling this through the concept of the video, which shows him in a more relatable way through the portrayal of a personal story of his. Through this the audience may gather a liking for him due to his down to earth portrayal, and how he is shown as a down to earth everyday character. With the lyrics "The streets are closed in the town, Places no one really goes to hang around, Give up on us long ago with no hope, All you hear's the cold wind blow and get stoned", this could support the idea of the song showing the artist recalling the types of things which happened in his town before he became a recognised artist, and that the song represents the harsh reality of how hopeless some peoples circumstances are in similar towns to his, yet he managed to break out and gain acknowledgement.


There are multiple examples of the importance of mise-en-scene use throughout the video, the setting where the video is filmed and the props having significance towards the audience. One example to take from this can be seen near the opening segment, where the artist can be seen standing stationary with a dry cleaners sign in the back, where besides it has graffiti drawn on the metal cover of the closed neighboring shop. This shows how the setting which it was filmed was of a low budget setting, being filmed in the real world, filming members of the public behind the artist. This is conventional of the indie genre as the settings of videos within the genre are often very low budget. This is appealing for the audience as the settings are therefore often done in cities or just urban areas, which they can relate to as they are everyday settings.
In regards to the costume, hair and makeup element towards mise-en-scene use, throughout this video by Jake Bugg the most impacting use of the three comes from the costume of the artist, as well as the clothing of the other people present throughout the video. During the segments where the artist is actually shown he can be seen as simply wearing everyday where of a standard shirt and jacket, looking very similar to that of the members of the public in the background. This shows him as looking and dressing similar to them, portraying him as being just another member of society. Through this, this is appealing towards the audience through the down to earth portrayal, making the artist come across as simply being an ordinary and relatable person, enabling for a relationship to be built between the artist and viewer.
Throughout the video, the facial expressions and body language of the artist don't particularly stand out as having that much of a noticeable impact on the viewer, although the same cant be said for the members of the public which can be seen. One specific example can be seen near the beginning of the music video shortly after the artist goes off screen, where two people in the shot can be seen showing beaten down facial expressions. This shows them as possibly struggling with life and being unhappy with how things are, portraying the beaten down facial expressions of the public. This could be done to assist with the portrayal of the concept behind the video, as it demonstrates how everyone has there struggles in life and that many want to just make ends meat, which is evident through the use of mise-en-scene within this instance. This is appealing for the audience as it makes the message behind the concept of the video easier to see and relate towards, as the emotions of the people being shown are simply everyday people. Another appealing element for the viewer is that the visuals here link with the lyrics of the song, through watching the music video oppose to just the song allows for them to fully experience the portrayed emotions of the song better as they can physically see what is being said.
This music video by Jake Bugg follows the style of lighting and colour which he stays consistent with including through the majority of his music video, which is conventional of the indie genre. This is as straight from the off the video, it is evident that the visuals have been edited to have a black and white effect towards them, the black and white effect being edited in during the editing stage. This is the same use of lighting which was present in the previous video by Jake Bugg, and is used by a large number of indie artists. This could be done to provide the video with a retro feel to it, which is achieved through making the visuals generally dark. This is conventional of the indie genre and is present throughout a large number of Jake Buggs songs and others indie artists ones, often for the purpose of catering the video towards the target audience, often being a mature older one. This is appealing for the audience as an important element towards the visuals has been directly catered towards the target audience.
During the segments in which the artist is in the shot, he is shown as being positioned directly in the middle of the frame, the camera often panning him standing still looking directly towards the camera. This in fact happens on two occasions within the music video, firstly once at the beginning of the music video, and later at the very end of the video, during both moments he shows the same mode of address as he is placed directly in the middle of the frame. Through doing this, it makes the artist stand out a bit from the rest of the public, as his portrayal throughout the video demonstrates how he is just like everyone else, and just another member of the public. This is appealing for the viewer as it makes them able to differentiate between him and the public, making the artist visible, but in the same way showing him in a down to earth and ordinary light, allowing for the audience to build a relationship between the artist.
Throughout the music video, the use of editing isn't evident in regards to the camerawork and the core filming towards the final product. This is as the visuals consist of one continuous shot, where it only changes when the camera zooms into somethings specific, as the only change which can be seen is when the camera pans the urban location which is present throughout. This lack of editing could be done to portray a theme throughout the video, as the use of one continuous shot could connote how the video is based upon the day in the life of the artist and any other member of the public within the video. This is supported by the video appearing to go in a spiral, starting with the artist standing in the middle of the frame and it ending on the artist standing in the middle of the frame, possibly showing the start and the end of the theme of portraying the daily struggles of every individual within the video. This is appealing towards the target audience as having the video as one continuous shot allows for the portrayal of a theme, which provides with an intellectual appeal towards the viewer, alongside the viewer potentially being able connect with the relatable nature of the message being shown, about the struggles experienced by many.
The research I have conducted into my chosen music artist Jake Bugg will assist me when going to create my own production, which I and my group are basing around the song "two fingers" by the artist himself. This is as I have gathered a number of ideas and inspirations from looking at specific examples of the other music videos which he has produced. It has given me a better insight into the conventions of the genre as a whole, as well as showing me what codes and convention's my chosen artist often opts to include. Through being aware of these, I can incorporate elements which Jake Bugg includes throughout his examples into my own work, but trying to alter it so it is still my own work, but while doing so making sure I don't drift too far away from the conventions of the genre. One example of a convention which I want to incorporate into my own music video is some way is the use of black and white visuals edited in, which will be achieved through lowering the saturation filter. also I feel as if it would be too clichéd if I was to have this throughout the entire duration, so I might be able to put it into certain segments, such as during flashbacks if they are present throughout our music video. Another convention which my group and I will certainly follow is to include urban environments throughout my own music video, which I believe will be suited due to it being conventional to our chosen genre, and being present throughout a large majority of Jake Buggs music videos. There are multiple micro elements which I have gathered inspiration from the analysis of Jake Buggs music videos, one specific example which I believe will be well suited would be the use of shallow focus. This is present throughout his videos on a number of occasions, and through looking at its use throughout the two examples above, I believe it will be a suitable shot to incorporate into my group and I's music video.
Throughout the music video, the use of editing isn't evident in regards to the camerawork and the core filming towards the final product. This is as the visuals consist of one continuous shot, where it only changes when the camera zooms into somethings specific, as the only change which can be seen is when the camera pans the urban location which is present throughout. This lack of editing could be done to portray a theme throughout the video, as the use of one continuous shot could connote how the video is based upon the day in the life of the artist and any other member of the public within the video. This is supported by the video appearing to go in a spiral, starting with the artist standing in the middle of the frame and it ending on the artist standing in the middle of the frame, possibly showing the start and the end of the theme of portraying the daily struggles of every individual within the video. This is appealing towards the target audience as having the video as one continuous shot allows for the portrayal of a theme, which provides with an intellectual appeal towards the viewer, alongside the viewer potentially being able connect with the relatable nature of the message being shown, about the struggles experienced by many.
The research I have conducted into my chosen music artist Jake Bugg will assist me when going to create my own production, which I and my group are basing around the song "two fingers" by the artist himself. This is as I have gathered a number of ideas and inspirations from looking at specific examples of the other music videos which he has produced. It has given me a better insight into the conventions of the genre as a whole, as well as showing me what codes and convention's my chosen artist often opts to include. Through being aware of these, I can incorporate elements which Jake Bugg includes throughout his examples into my own work, but trying to alter it so it is still my own work, but while doing so making sure I don't drift too far away from the conventions of the genre. One example of a convention which I want to incorporate into my own music video is some way is the use of black and white visuals edited in, which will be achieved through lowering the saturation filter. also I feel as if it would be too clichéd if I was to have this throughout the entire duration, so I might be able to put it into certain segments, such as during flashbacks if they are present throughout our music video. Another convention which my group and I will certainly follow is to include urban environments throughout my own music video, which I believe will be suited due to it being conventional to our chosen genre, and being present throughout a large majority of Jake Buggs music videos. There are multiple micro elements which I have gathered inspiration from the analysis of Jake Buggs music videos, one specific example which I believe will be well suited would be the use of shallow focus. This is present throughout his videos on a number of occasions, and through looking at its use throughout the two examples above, I believe it will be a suitable shot to incorporate into my group and I's music video.
This post demonstrates a proficient understanding of the representation of your chosen music artist. You have made a start in analysing two music videos by your chosen artist and you have explored the hidden messages and indie conventions in some detail.
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1) Use examples of lyrics, to support the points that you have made on audience and artist relationships
2) Ensure that you have included points on cinematography and editing styles
3) In your conclusion, be specific about what type of conventions and micro elements you would like to include
4) When analysing points on lighting styles, use the correct lighting terminology
This post now demonstrates a good understanding of your chosen artist and how he is represented in his music videos. You have elaborated on the points that you have included on lighting styles and have started to relate to the lyrics. However, this needs to be demonstrates throughout, to show further research techniques.
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