'YA MAMA' vs 'UNFINISHED SYMPATHY' Key Words

NATURALISTIC MISE-EN-SCENE

This is a realistic style that appears natural and recognisable to viewers, not the oppose versions of fantastical or theatrical mise-en-scene. the objects and world flow the law of nature and society and the elements of mise-ene-scene all have a logical relation. 

LINEAR NARRATIVE

These are stories presented in a logical manner by telling what happens from one point in the story to another without the introduction of flashbacks or flash-forwards and returning to the present. Story including characters, setting, climax, plot and resolution.

NARRATIVE DISRUPTION

A disruptive moment within a film, when all points turn afterwards. 

NATURALISTIC 'UNFINISHED SYMPATHY' VS NON-REALISTIC 'YA MAMA' 

'Unfinished Sympathy' is a naturalistic video, this is because the world surrounding, characters and all objects within the video are logical and recognisable. As Shara Nelson walks down the street there are no abstract characters or abrupt things happening, they're are typical parents and children walking down the path. The video is filmed in LA, not the glamourized areas is it just a street which they have felt is fitting. There is no real staging to this video, it is a very casual video and could be misunderstood for anyone walking down the street.

Whereas 'Ya Mama' seems very theatrical staging, there is clearly set ups for this video. Within 'Ya Mama' there are many small signs of which show the thought and staging into the mise-en-scene. One of which is the sign within the police station suggesting mugshots with the title 'problem people' above typically this is a very simple working and wouldn't be used with referring to criminals. This shows the lack of professionality with the people of the town, the most wanted people there are just being described as a 'problem'. Even the outside of the actual station, you would expect them to be a highly professional building due to its such high authority – when in reality the outside of the building is spelt with ‘POLIS STAZION’.

IS 'YA MAMA' A LINEAR NARRATIVE AND WHY IS 'UNFINISHED SYMPATHY' NON-LINEAR 

I believe 'Ya Mama' is a linear narrative this is due to it telling an actual story. Although the story may be an abstract one of which, it still contains a plot and a steady progression as the video continues. The definition of a linear narrative is one of which stories are in a logical manner and when watching Fatboy Slims 'Ya Mama' there is clearly a flowing order of events; such as he gets the cassette through the post and after this the story evolves as the music sends them all into uncontrollable dance and so they expose it to the whole of the market, influencing all. Fatboy Slim's video contains characters and its very own plot- the music. Also, a resolution which in this case is when they all get taken by the police and taken to the station. This resolves the issue as it stops the music and so the market and community can continue back to their regular routine. 

On the other hand, Massive Attack's 'Unfinished Sympathy' doesn't necessarily have it's own story to it and so it is called a non-linear video. The whole concept of this video doesn't have a direct storyline to it. Massive Attack's video does show some background stories, with deeper meanings, though in reality there is no exact clear story. If you look into it more you could identify satires such as the man on the skateboard - overall Massive Attack's video doesn't show this story.

AT WHAT POINT IN 'YA MAMA' IS THERE A NARRATIVE DISRUPTION 

Within Fatboy Slim's video there is a clear narrative disruption, this disruption sets the whole scene and concept for the length of the music video. The video starts with the man painting pottery in his kitchen watching the 1940s created kids tv programme ‘Tom and Jerry’. This is a destructive tv programme as the two characters constantly fight each other, this could be used to foreshadow the carnage that is soon to occur. After this scene the post man arrives – at this moment it’s exact lead up to the narrative disruption. As he hands the parcel and the moment the cassette is played the equilibrium is changed, they all turn into uncontrollable dancing one by one in the household by the powerful, overwhelming music. They then continue to distribute the song by spreading it to the whole market – making everyone to ‘push the tempo’. Without this we would assume he would have carried on painting the ornaments watching the tv, but now from that one moves the whole market has been possessed-like from the one song.