Theories
Today in class we learnt about several different theories that we can apply to our music video and you can find a few below
the male gaze
Laura Mulvey argues that the dominant point of view is masculine. The female body is displayed for the male gaze in oreder to provide erotic pleasure for the male. Women are therefore objectified by the camera lens and whatever gender the audience is, the postitoned to accept the masculine point of view
6 key features of music videos
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.(e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images.(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
3.There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music.(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style). These include CUs of the star’s face, iconography of band image, visual trademarks and motifs.
5.There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body
6. There are often intertextual reference (to films, tv programmes, other music videos
todorov's narrative theory
There are five stages the narrative can progress through:
1. A state of equilibrium (All is as it should be.)
2. A disruption of that order by an event.
3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium
Barthes 5 codes
Enigma code - this code refers to mystery within a text. Clues are dropped, but no clear answers are given. Ultimately making the audience want to know more.
Action code - this code contains sequential elements of action in the text, adding suspense
Semantic code - this code refers to parts within in the text that suggest or refers to additional meanings
Symbolic- this code is about symbolism within the text
Referential code - this code refers to anything in the text wich refers to an external body of knowledge