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INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS
Beth Oliver
PROPP
Propp developed a theory that within each narrative there are a set of stock
characters, which reappear in every storyline, these roles are:
Hero – Person on the quest
Princess – Prize for hero
Helper – Helps hero
False Hero – Somebody who believes they are the hero
Dispatcher – Sends the hero on their quest
Father – Rewards the hero
Villain – Attempts to stop the hero on his/her quest
Donor – Provides objects to help the hero on their quest
LEVI STRAUSS
Levi-Strauss’ theory dictated that in every media text there are binary opposistions, or
a conflict between two opposites. The audience subsequently are aware of who they
should side with, and this technique can also help create a political theme within a
text. For example:
Good & Bad
Rich & Poor
Eastern & Western World
Love & Hate
BARTHES
Barthes was a French semiologist who identified 5 different codes by which a narrative
engages the attention of the audience.
In order of importance:
The enigma code – the audience is intrigued by the need to solve a problem
The action code – the audience is excited by the need to resolve a problem
The semantic code – the audience is directed towards an additional meaning by way
of connotation
The symbolic code – the audience assumes that a character dressed in black as evil
or menacing and forms expectations of his/her behaviour on this basis
The cultural code – the audience derives meaning in a text from shared cultural
knowledge about the way the world works
TODOROV
Todorov’s theory states that in a media text there are five stages.
ORIGINAL EQUILIBRIUM (normality)
DISRUPTION
RECOGNITION (of disruption)
ATTEMPT TO RESTORE (original equilibrium)
NEW EQUILIBRIUM
MR BRIGHTSIDE
The Killers
PROPP
In this video there are 3 main characters that we see throughout the video;
The Hero – Lead singer
The Princess
The Villain
PROPP
We can tell that the lead singer is the hero, due to all the close up shots and facial
expressions which the match the lyrics of the song
The other older male we see if clearly the villain due to the presence he has around
the women in the video as well as his facial expressions looking evil.
The women fits the general stereotype of the ‘Princess’ character. She is beautiful
and loving towards the main character. She is also a bit of a damsel in distress
which would again fit the stereotype of the ‘Princess’.
LEVI STRAUSS
The main binary opposition in this video is GOOD & BAD. This is shown through the
men both fighting for the main girl; however one guy wants to hurt her, while the
other wants to protect her. This could also link into the theme of LOVE & HATE.
BARTHES
The codes that are used in this video are the ENIGMA AND SYMBOLIC/CULTURAL
CODES.
Enigma is shown throughout the video as it does not fully make sense, there is no
clear storyline or moral to the video.
Symbolic/Cultural is shown through the girls flashing their underwear at several
occasions; which is what we associate with prostitutes (which is what I think the
girls in the video are suppose to be).
THKS FR TH MMRS
Fall Out Boy
PROPP
There are three main stereotypes we see in the video:
The Hero – The guitarist
The Princess
The Villain – The monkeys (mainly the monkey posing as the director)
PROPP
We know that the guitarist is the hero because (from about half way through when
the narrative story becomes much clearer), he is shown through lots of close up shots.
Also, the Princess choses him over the Villain towards the end of the video, which is
another clear indication that he is the Hero, as normally good triumphs evil.
We know that the woman in the video is the Princess, because she is very beautiful
and comes across as kind. However, you could say that she is also the Villain, as she
seems to flirt with both the guitarist and the monkey, which is something you’d expect
a desperate, nasty, stuck-up teenager to do.
We know that the monkey is the Villain, because he is very bossy, rude and nasty,
especially towards the band members (in particular; the guitarist for obvious reasons).
LEVI STRAUSS
The main theme throughout this video is GOOD & BAD. This is shown through the
guitarist and the monkey battling over the Princess. Also, the fact the band are
fighting against the monkeys throughout the whole video, eventually resulting in the
guitarist destroying the stage, is quite entropic. You would not expect to see man
and primate fighting against each other – especially not while filming a music video.
The winner at the end of the video is unclear. In my opinion I think it is the guitarist
because he takes control and destroys the stage, but you could say that the bad side
has won; as they have managed to get to the guitarist and upset him.
BARTHES
In this video I think that the codes that are used are; ENIGMA, SEMANTIC AND ACTION
CODES.
The enigma code is clear because it is not completely understandable what is going on in the
video, especially to start off with (the monkeys telling the band what to do).
The action code comes mainly at the end; when things start heating up within the love
triangle (the guitarist, the woman and the monkey). When the guitarist destroys the stage, the
audience get a bit excited because it is out of the blue and the special effects (exploding
lights) add to the tension.
The semantic code is making us look deeper into the narrative. For example; I think that the
reason that all of the music video crew are being show as monkeys is because the band are
comparing them to under-developed primates who haven’t got much knowledge as humans.
Which could also tell us that the band don’t think their crew are as intelligent as they are, and
that they like to make their own decisions.
TODOROV
I think that this music video does follow Todorov’s theory, because when we first see
the band they are rehearsing normally, then we find out that their crew are
monkeys. The band then realise that the monkeys are taking over and rebel. Things
seem to be getting back on track (the guitarist seems to be getting close to the
woman), then the Villain tries once again to steal the girl, resulting in the new
equilibrium; the guitarists losing his temper and destroying the stage.
YOUR SONG
Ellie Goulding
PROPP
In this video it is unclear what general characters are used. I personally think that
Ellie Goulding is the Princess singing about how wonderful her Hero is, and how happy
he makes her. However, some people may think that she is singing this about her
Prince and she is actually the Hero; as it could work both ways. There are no other
characters in the video (apart from a kitten and occasionally getting a glimpse of
another girl). Ellie (the artist) is clearly the main character and focus, as she is rarely
out of shot, this means that that artist is being promoted incredibly well; which is a
common convention of a music video.
BARTHES
The code used in this video is the ENIGMA CODE.
We know this is used because, although she is talking about wonderful the man she
loves is, we never see him or have any idea who he might be. This makes us want to
know more or keeps us guessing.
Throughout the video, Ellie looks into the camera or aside to the camera as if she is
looking at him, but again we never see him. It just makes us think that he is around.
BARTHES
The SYMBOLIC CODE is also used; she is portrayed as an everyday girl, you would
expect to see walking down the street. Which is a massive contrast to who she actually
is! She wears normal everyday clothes, plays with a kitten, goes for walks and spends
time with friends; this is quite different to how you would imagine a successful
recording artist to be like.