Question 1In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms

and conventions of real media products?

Mise En SceneMy Music video utilizes a completely run-down and derelict environment, which is one that many contemporary music video viewers may not be familiar with. These types of locations are, however, known to the viewers of indie rock videos, as the environments found in these locations often reflect the themes and meanings addressed in the songs of the genre; those of loss, sadness, reality and political messages relevant to those who do not seek grandeur or wider goals (e.g. younger people, usually of a more disadvantaged nature). The abandoned nature of the buildings could link to the idea of abandonment from society which links to the blindfold because he doesn’t want to see what the world has become.

Lyrical themesIn Goodwin's theory, music videos are said to contain characteristics of the specific genre within. As such with my production, the video reflects the song's dark and foreboding lyrics and lyrical structure, with an ever present sense of impending sadness or distress; echoed with lyrics such as ''slowly it happened'' or ''Could I see it coming?''. These themes are often reflected in Indie rock, as the genre is more rooted in reality and everyday life than It's more ''mainstream'' cousin, alternative rock. Again, much like many videos of the genre, my video also takes looks at some more relevant contemporary issues of the times, such as the near subjugation of young people by the status quo, and influences of the hegemony of younger people; as referenced by the blindfold which both makes the subject of the video a captive, as well as homogenizing him, stripping him of his identity. Key to this idea is the placement of the penultimate shot of the video, with the ''Police'' sign in the background, lurking over the subject who is placed in the very foreground of the shot.

Narrative structureMy music video follows a fairly formulaic structure with it’s uses of cuts and, to some extent, the use of montage. Most of the editing is done to the beat of the music, with instances such as the repetition of the word ‘Rose’ punctuated by inserts of the face of the second character at each chord. This is repeated throughout the video, particularly at 2:16 to 2:30, where the much more fast-paced crescendo of the piece is accompanied by a scene of fast-paced cuts of the primary character punching a plasterboard wall section.

Intertextual references- Alan Walker (Faded)

A large intertextual reference for my music video was the song by Alan Walker- Faded. That music video is filmed in an uninhabited building and an abandoned area. The music video shows a young man in a derelict neighborhood, walking around as if he is searching for something. In my music video, the character is searching for something he has lost, in the form of a girl who may have been a romantic attachment to him, or simply just important in his life.

Furthermore, the character in ‘’Faded’’ also has his identity stripped from him with the use of a face covering, much like the character in my music video has his face obscured by a blindfold, although mine carries more eminent connotations of imprisonment and

Intertextual references - Hozier (Take Me To Church)While creating the video, one distinct influence in the genre was ''Take me to Church'' by Hozier, which uses a similar address to present-day issues in a political message, as well as subtle yet foreboding lyrics such as ''you can sharpen your knife'' or ''She demands a sacrifice'', linking to the rather brutal on-screen representation of persecution in modern society. Additionally, the homogenization of youths is also gleaned from this influence, as the would-be executioners are all seemingly interchangeable later in the video, with no identities of their own bar cruelty and lacking completely in compassion.

Intertextual references- Lukas Graham (7 Years)There are many aspects of my music video that have taken artistic influence from the music video of ‘’7 years’’ by Lukas Graham. Firstly, the use of a shot of walking feet was influenced by a particular shot in 7 Years at 1:47. While this shot is not framed in the same way as the shot in my video is, the connotation of a wandering or lost character is created from a shot such as this. Furthermore – as in Hozier’s take me to Church – the use of facial camouflage, such as hoodies and bandanas, creates a sense of a lack of identity in the character.