2. Conventional representations (stereotypes)
• In Rock music videos the overall tone is dark and low key to give the video an edge, the music videos are often performance based and there is rarely the use of dance
routines or a strong narrative. A typical convention of rock music includes frames with lots of enthusiasm and energy, with iconography being shown through the use of
dark clothing, which can match the meaning of the music video. We are going to include the use of rock conventions because we have an electronic rock genre of song.
This can be shown through the dark clothes of the male protagonist, with dark ripped jeans being the main feature that represents the genre. We have also included a lot
of energetic movement for the protagonists to perform including lip-syncing and the use of tracking to show him moving around the mise-en-scene and making the most of
the location. The multiple locations that have been chosen are important for the video as they follow both the costume and movement of the male protagonist with the rock
genre with a quiet park and a rough urban setting being able to show this representation. We are also going to maintain the energy within out video through a use of quick
cuts and fast editing to make the audience see the video in a more energetic and creative way. This high energy and use of performance can be seen in Highway to hell by
ACDC- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEPmA3USJdI
• Indie/alternative/electronic music videos usually include the iconography of involving a casual pick of costume with jeans and a top being solely used. The music videos
don't normally include lots of special effects so we have chosen to use a piece of this genre within our planning and story boards as it means that we can follow
iconographies for the audience to relate to. It also means that we are able to have a more realistic expectation from the audience as we will have less production
value. Indie/electronic/alternative music videos are often half narrative-based and half performance , but it can vary a lot from one Indie band to another. The
alternative/electronic genre includes the use of multiple mise en scene to represent multiple views on the world and a broader imagination. We are going to include these
genre stereotypes within our music video so that the audience are able to represent the protagonists, with the female protagonist using more arty and unusual/alternative
camera movements such as our large use of 180 and 360 degree turns around the actors. This can be seen through music videos such as M83 Midnight city-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX3k_QDnzHE
3. Representations that challenge stereotypes
• We have decided to convert stereotypes at the beginning of our music video with the female protagonist being shown as strong and
powerful through a lighter filter, more upbeat shots and an emphasis on her light pink costume that is able to represent happiness
and light in her life. This will be in contrast with the male protagonist’s life as he will be shown as weak and lonely in the beginning of
the music video through a dark filter and the use of dark costume. This represents them as two completely different people with
good Vs evil. This idea challenges stereotypes in the music industry with most female actresses in music videos being shown in a
more sexual way through the negative male gaze as a sexual object. This is not the case for our music video and this subverts
stereotypes in film, television and music videos where the male characters normally holds power and status throughout with the
female body looking frail or only for one reason.
• However this will change throughout the video, with their roles switching half way through. This will deliver the opposite message to
the audience than what will have been previously shown and it will also mean that the audience will be able to see each actor
through a different light. This will offer the opportunity to see women as powerful and men as weak which is not usually seen in a
music video with such great use of narrative. By using filters and costume we will be able to emphasise this idea and make sure that
it is understandable for the audience, without them becoming confused for example, the brighter filter and bright use of costume for
the female protagonist will show her power, the mise en scene will also be able to highlight this with a bright studio with added
lighting, and when switching there will be a change in mise en scene or lighting.
4. Positive and negative representations
• We are going to have representations of both male and female protagonists within our music video. The representations
and stereotypes will mean that the audience will be shown suitable ideas of each character depending on the genre, for
example in our music video the character will be represented as we want the audience to view them and also relate to.
The female protagonist will be seen in a positive light, with a role of innocence and not lust, with the male gaze being
present but seeing the actress as a child and young and innocent to the world. This will be maintained throughout the
video with the way she is capture on camera, with 180 and 360 degree camera movement and close up or low angles
only focusing on her face, not using a lust or view from a man of her as a sexual object.
• The male protagonist will be represented in a more negative light, with events in his life going wrong for him and his
actions being seen as wrong in many ways. This is shown through the confrontation between the male protagonist and a
male actor when in an urban setting. This will be viewed by the audience as an action that will effect the way he has been
thinking and how he views the world, viewing the world in a negative way. The way that he is captured, through low
angles and tracking of his emotions will show this theme of negativity throughout. This negative representation will
change throughout the video, as it progresses the view of the male protagonist will become more positive and happy with
him apologizing to one of the two people he has confrontations with, and leading them to be friends and his
personality/life to change for the better.
5. How will these representations appeal to the
audience?
• The audience are supposed to see the change that someone can witness in their lifetime, with their life being
on track and falling to disaster, or their life going badly and changing to a more planned, organised and happy
ending. This is shown to help the audience understand their own life experiences, for example dealing with
certain life events that may change their life for the best, and sometimes for the worst. We have decided to
use this type of representation so that the audience can understand and relate to the emotional journey of our
two main protagonists.
• The audience will be able to loo up to each protagonist when they are happy and aspire to be like them with
their characteristics being seen as positive. We will also be including both male and female main actors so
that they will be able to relate to their own gender or see another gender as an inspiration when it comes to
finding or making friends in real life.
• With their being a constant change between three/four mise en scene choices, the audience will be able to
relate to one of the four mise en scenes as they are all different. With people from an urban setting being able
to relate or people from the countryside being able to aspire and dream about this location, or the other way
round. The camera movements will also be able to appeal to the audience and help them relate, for example
through a POV shot they will be able to see the situation from the characters perspective and their own
perspective and what they would do or how they would handle the circumstances.
