Product Research

1. Rihanna - Stay
Rihanna’s video for her song ‘Stay’ illustrates the story of
heartbreak within relationships. This has been portrayed
through the different types of camera angles, editing
techniques, narrative structure and character types.

2. To begin with, in terms of characters, both Rihanna and
Mikky Ekko are introduced from behind, with Ekko being
introduced further into the music video, rather than
Rihanna being shown to the audience first, revealing her
to be the main protagonist.
Rihanna’s tattoos are the first focus of her
character; the tattoos of the stars going down her
back could possibly to suggest the idea of her
aspirations and goals. This is further insinuated
within the audio codes with the lyrics quoting
phrases such as ‘I want you to stay,’ and ‘I can’t live
without you.’

3. The close up and extreme close up camera shots of Rihanna’s facial expressions and lack of
makeup explains the narrative in terms of the ideology of heartbreak in relationships. The bare face
and emotion in Rihanna’s facial expressions show sadness and anguish, with this idea further
developed by her bloodshot eyes. The panning shots reveal how direct address from this character
isn’t often used, as well as the lack of lip syncing to the music where Rihanna seems distracted
This challenges the common conventions of a pop music
video, as the artist would stereotypically make direct
address to the camera and would sing to the music usually
word for word. This creates the narrative of the artist’s
character possibly thinking and reflecting back at what has
caused her sadness, also suggesting the idea of not being
able to ‘look you in the eye,’ possibly representing regret or
guilt.
The main protagonist is further shown to be weak and
vulnerable when considering the camera angles, due to
majority of the shots of her character being high angle
shots. This would support the stereotype of females being
weak and submissive, which would be further shown in
terms of camera angles when looking at the male
character of this music video. The angles which Mikky
Ekko is usually filmed in would be mid shots or low angle
shots, creating the idea of the male gender being
dominant in comparison to the female.

4. Laura Mulvey:
Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory could be
applied to this video, in terms of representation
of characters and genders, due to the narrative
structure and the camera angles. This can be
applied due to the lack of clothing which the
female character is wearing, being naked and
bare would support Mulvey’s male gaze theory
as the nakedness would have been used to
satisfy the male audience.
However, this ideology is subverted due to the female
character being naked in the bath would have been directed
to create the idea of innocence and emotion, possibly using
the water to represent tears and depression. The lack of
sexual objectification towards the female gender is further
shown with Rihanna’s position being crouched and hunched
over; suggesting her being concealed or protecting herself.
Although Mulvey’s theory is subverted, the non-sexual
representation of Rihanna’s character still supports the dominant
hegemony as the idea of the male gender being dominant in
comparison to the weak and confined character which Rihanna
portrays. This is further suggested when analysing the audio and
technical codes, as the idea of the female character being weaker
than the male is suggested with the female character singing ‘I want
you to stay,’ rather than the male.

5. When analysing the setting and iconography, the music video appears
to be set in the same location, but different rooms. The way in which
the female character remains in one room and one place in the bath,
suggests the idea of being restrained and restricted, also showing how
she is feeling in terms of her sadness towards the relationship
problems she is having.
However, Mikky Ekko’s character is shown in what appears to be one
building, but the different rooms. The way in which Ekko is introduced
next to the bath tub;, being the same bath which Rihanna’s character
is featured in throughout the whole video, could represent in terms of
narrative structure, that the they are singing at different times.
However, this could also be to continue with the suggestions of their
relationship being a failure, as they don’t see each other anymore and
feel distant towards each other, although they are in the same room.

6. The location of the bath, as well as close up,
slow motion shots of the tap running, could
be to represent the tears and emotion of
Rihanna, which pushes the narrative being
featuring around sadness and heartbreak.
The bath may be to symbolise the female
characters safe haven; but also possibly to
suggest how she is trying to cleanse herself;
possibly suggest regret.
The narrative is explained within the lighting in the
music video, being dull, dark or natural. This lighting
could be to suggest the idea of how both characters
are feeling ‘dull’ or emotionless in this video. In some
shots with Mikky Ekko, the lighting is dark which
represents their relationship; as the audience can see
clearly how the narrative is based on these two
character’s relationship. The dark lighting may be a
reference to the darkness in their relationship, with
the only lighting revealed being the natural lighting
from outside; suggesting how this character thinks
that the only way to happiness is to get out of this
relationship.

7. Iconography is used within the setting due to the
use of colours being gold, or natural, such as the
wood. The natural setting, with materials such as
wood and plants, is consistent throughout the
music video, as nothing is superficial. However, the
use of the colour gold in this setting could be to
pursue the narrative of the relationship problems.
The colour gold is shown in Rihanna’s rings and the
overall setting such as the mirror and golden taps.
This colour scheme symbolises prosperity and hope
within the video, suggesting that although their
relationship is failing, there is still hope for them to
be together.