Laura Mulvey developed the theory that in media dominated by the male gaze, women are typically portrayed as passive and objectified for male pleasure, while men are depicted as active and dominant. The document discusses how Mulvey's theory applies to portrayals of gender in the music industry, with women often shown in revealing clothing and engaging in implicit behavior, and men generally portrayed as powerful heroes. It provides the example of Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" music video to illustrate these contrasting representations of gender.

1. Laura Mulvey

2. The Theory
“In a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has
been split between active/male and passive/female. The
determining male gaze projects its fantasy onto the female figure
which is styled accordingly.”
Mulvey strongly thought that females, more or less had a negative
representation in the media. She believed that in a society and culture
dominated by males, women are ‘controlled’ therefore submissive to men.
The quote further explains that females are sexualised and therefore less
dominant; however Mulvey also says that women are unaware of their ‘role’ in
today’s society.

3. Theory further explained
 The different representations of gender in the music industry
are contrasting. The males in the music videos are presented in
an aggressive and dominant behaviour where as the females in
a more explicit and passive as well as heavily presenting
sexual behaviour.
 The use of costume and hair can also be useful in the
representation for example; women dressed in provocative and
revealing clothing- much to the pleasure of the male gaze,
which in most cases are the director’s intention.
 On the other hand, the males in
music videos are often portrayed
as the hero and of a stereotypical
gendered role for example as a
head of a business.

4. An Example
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6M5
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I chose this music video- Ne Yo ; Miss independent, because I thought
it helped present the theory well. Despite the roles slightly reversing
with a female as a boss of a business company, the stereotypical
representation of females in the video is still shown throughout.
This screenshot shows a wide shot of a woman dressed
revealingly ; a short skirt and with her legs on the table. This
presents the female as seducing because of her provocative
behaviour.

5. An Example
On the other hand, there are mostly
mid shots of Ne-Yo dressed in a suit
and tie which presents him as a
business man with power and status.
The use of his costume further helps
to present the stereotypical view of
males in music videos as more
dominant .