Representation Questions

Intertextuality - The use of muffin the mule, the lady is supposed to be a motherly figure that looks down on Dizzee in a patronising fashion. This idea can be shown in the use of a long shot that displays the lady and Dizzee but as Dizzee is smaller in size the levels adds to this idea of her being above him. This again can be linked to the idea of her race being higher than him.  Muffin the mule is a children' show meaning that its use in the video gives the idea of childhood and nostalgia which can be linked the the title of the song as children dream for success. Dizzee's reference to black face and minstrels shows link to the racism and the use of black people being used as entertainment. This links to Stuart Hall's theory as the derogatory use of minstrels can be linked to his use of the entertainer when looking at other ethnicities in media. Dizzee could be using these images to reference racism and the empowerment of black people as they move away from oppression and toward fame and being heard.

Genre Characteristics - The use of subsequently stereotypical locations with a difference or twist in them to reflect the oppression and ideas that are shown throughout the music video, such as the puppet hood. This could also be seen in their clothing as baggy clothing has become connected with violence, gangs and anti-social behaviour in general. These are all element of clothing that are also associated with rap which has an affiliation with blacks, who are represented throughout the video again linking the clothing to an outbreak of oppression as the clothing is now not synonymous with black but with youth in general who are also the target audience as they understand the point of view that Dizzee takes on the social issues he speaks about in his lyrics. The  use of the entourage is a well-known element of grime as it was thought that many grime and rap artist travel with their friends for both protection and enjoyment. This ideas are disapproved in constant shots of Dizzee however no shots of an entourage.

Lyrics and Visuals - Many of the lyrics have symbolic meanings that are shown through the visuals. The title of the song is dream and the use of the high key lighting and many bright colours helps ad to the effect of this whole video being a dream. Many of the visuals consist of black stereotypes that have links to the lyrics that as stated before. Though there is no display of the lyrics on screen the important lyrics such as the chorus has images that linked specifically in order for us to get a better understanding and grasp what Dizzee is trying to say.

Music and Visuals - In a similar way to the visuals and lyrics element of video the music has symbolic means that are shown in the visuals. Certain drops in beat or change in pitch can be connected to changing settings and introduction characters. The music is quite fast in pace and the shots as well as the quick movement from visual to visual happens so often that it keeps in time with the beat of the music. This is similar for the takes. In each take there are several numbers of shots these shots are all focused around Dizzee even when he is not on screen. There is a strong use of POV shots when Dizzee isn't present as if we are in his dream though the objective of the video is that he is in ours as we are the nostalgic children reminiscing and thinking of a time that we could reach Dizzee's success.

Reference to Looking - Throughout the majority of the video Dizzee maintains direct address. This can be reference to looking as it removes the fourth wall allowing us as viewers into the video. Though there are not reference to mirrors visually or symbolically it is clear throughout that Dizzee's intention is to make us look. In particular at the past and how times have and haven't changed. This can be seen in his use of costume for the minstrel inspired characters. They are wearing modern clothing but their purpose or intended purpose from their time period is still clear as they are on strings reflecting their use for entertainment and how it wasn't a choice.

Demands o the Label - As mentioned before all most shots have Dizzee in them. If they don't they are often followed by an image of Dizzee. This could be demands of the label at work as the focus of the video becomes the artist. Furthermore, it could be said that the reason the label would insist on this sort of exposure for the artist would be to establish a relationship with the audience. This can also be seen in the direct address of Dizzee to the audience.