The document analyzes the music video for "Black Treacle" by Arctic Monkeys using Lacey's Repertoire of Elements framework. It summarizes that the video's narrative follows the band's drummer Matt Helders as an escaped convict searching for his love interest in a wedding dress across the California desert. It analyzes the characters, setting, and iconography used - including the prisoners' orange jumpsuits, western theme, and 1950s rock and roll styling of Alex Turner's character. The technical elements like low-key lighting in prison scenes and handheld camera during chase scenes help convey the alternative rock genre.

1. Lily Wilkinson
Analyzing the music video Black Treacle by Arctic Monkeys using Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements
Black Treacle was released in 2012 by the English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, the music video to
this single can be analyzed using Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements which notes the genre conventions used
within the characters represented, narrative, setting, iconography used and also technical codes within the
music video.
Firstly, numerous conventions of the character genre element
can be analyzed within the music video. The central character
throughout the video is the drummer of the band Matt
Helders; he is portrayed to be an escaped convict trying to
find his potential love interest who is seen to be in a wedding
dress running around the desert in hopes of finding him. As
well as his main love interest another woman who works on
the street is also paired with him, her particular character
matches in with the theme and location of the song, as a result of the almost sleazy connotations of her
clothing and characteristics. The lead of the band, Alex Turner is also portrayed within the video, his
noticeable 1950's rock and roll style of black leather clothing and hairstyle connoting the alternative and
rock genre of music the band usually performs.
From the beginning of the music video it is clear that the
setting of the music video is a desert in California, and the
whole video has a very western feel to it. This is also show
through the mise en scene and the orange jumpsuit worn by
Matt, which is usually linked to American prisons. The prison
setting is seen almost frequently throughout the video, to add
further to the narrative, and the prison itself has the
appearance as if it is isolated. The setting matches the
western theme which is continuous throughout the music video, with the use of filming in the desert, the
prison and also with the hold-up situation at the petrol station towards the end of the video. The music
video is unusual in the sense that the general style of music which is alternative rock, is not usually
associated with the western style, so the video could be asserting to how the bands style may be
interpreted to be slightly different.

2. The narrative of the music video as previously stated, follows
Matt's character who has escaped prison, throughout the video
there are shots of him both inside and outside of the cell he is
imprisoned in so the narrative as a whole is slightly difficult to
understand. The plot of the narrative which is told throughout
the music video is that the main character, Matt, who it is clear
cannot get a bail bond escapes from prison to try and find his
potential love interest. There are some performance elements within the video, which are separate to the
narrative, and consist of the lead of the band Alex Turner singing certain lyrics of the song. The narrative
consists of references to violence, imprisonment and unlawful acts which could possibly also link in with
the lyrics of the song, as well as the whole western theme. The plot as a whole conveys the western theme
in a rather modern way, through the use of cars and the modern day clothing worn by the characters
presented, and reflects how the band have taken a new and rather modern take on rock and alternative
music.
There are elements of iconography presented within the video
which relates to the bands usual style of alternative rock music.
Firstly, Alex Turner's 1950's rock and roll style within the
video has connotations to both of the genres as a result of the
black and leather clothing, as well as the use of cigarettes,
black sunglasses and hairstyle which is famous for that era,
suggesting their music could be possibly inspired by rock and
roll from the past. There were also connotations of rock within the costume of the woman who works on
the streets, as she was wearing a tight black leather dress which could have connotations which refer to
the promiscuous themes within the song. Also the use of the orange jumpsuits reflects the setting of the
American prison as well as the desert setting making reference to the western theme. In relation to the
song itself, within the video a reference is made to the title of the song as Alex Turner places a tin of
Black Treacle on a table, adding a somewhat lightheartedness to what would otherwise be a quite serious
video, with serious themes.

3. Lastly, the use of technical codes in the music video also relate to the rock and alternative genres of music
presented by the band. An example of this is the use of low key lighting whenever there was filming
inside of the prison, and also whenever Alex Turner was in shot. In contrast to this, there was high key
lighting used in all of the desert scenes and also whenever the woman in a wedding dress is in scene
proving the music to not be totally dark themed and rather up-beat and pleasant in parts. From the outset
there are multiple tracking shots of the desert and also the prison, as well as use of a handheld camera
when the characters are running to make it seem much more intense. Additionally, the camera tends to
have close ups and many forward tracking shots towards Alex Turner possibly signifying his importance
within the band.