Music Video Analysis

Black Eyed Peas - Where is the Love?

The video for the song 'Where is the Love?' is generally about the fight against racism, war and terrorism that is affecting the world. The message demonstrates how respect and love has vanished as well as bringing over the message of bombing and discriminations which is an important factor within our youth and society today. The Black Eyed Peas show this through a narrative in their music video which is accompanied by their hip hop/RnB genre that they are known for.

The group's video was shot in Los Angeles and released in 2003 and features the band, children and the general public in L.A spreading the message of the song by acting the song at times instead of the group which helps target the endangered society. The lyrics also help identify what the band are trying to bring across to their audiences and through the particular language used in the lyrics helps the target audience to relate to the song.

The target audience for this song and video would be not only teenagers but adults as well (12-50 yr olds) due to the modern approach from the band as well as the mature issues they are trying to emphasise. Also the audiences can be from all different racial backgrounds as the overall message of the video is to make everyone aware of the issues involved in racism. Therefore this video should help and attract awareness of the population, targeting all sorts of people.

Camera Angles and Editing

• During the chorus of 'Where is the Love?', the Black Eyed Peas have chosen to involve the public through synchronised editing which brings on a great effect for the video. By including children and adults of different ethnicities, it helps to highlight the message the band is trying to bring across as the raised issues are affecting the public who are singing in the chorus. Also to have a greater effect for the video, they have included close ups to show detail of the emotion in the face. 
• At the beginning of the video, a hand held camera is used to not only make filming easier but it helps make the audience feel as though they are part of it all. By using a hand held camera, they were able to track along the road showing men in black running and capture the audience with a close up of the sign of the question mark.
• Like other music videos nowadays, the music has been synchronised with the cutting rate, therefore increasing the emphasism on the message and the sound. 

Mise En Scene

• Question mark motif used throughout the message to get across the issue of racism. The motif is used by Fergie, other band members and the public pasting the image all around L.A in different locations. This adds mystery to the video because the audience will be intrigued as to why they are doing this. 
• Dark clothing to portray the danger, and black, dark van also adds to that. The video is also portrayed through a news report style due to the microphones and speakers on/in the van, this helps imply how important the issue they are trying to get through is. 
• There is a negative stereotypical outlook on the black community at the beginning of the music video and with the mise en scene, it adds to the negative portrayal. 

Sound

• Diagetic sound is used in the music video such as when three quarters of the band are in the van singing through the microphones to the community but non diagetic sound is also used in parts when showing crimes and the public.