The document analyzes the representation of subjects, stereotypes, and camera work in several music videos. It discusses how two sisters are represented in one video to show their feeling of isolation from society. It also examines how NWA presents themselves as bold and brave in opposing societal norms. The document discusses potential stereotypes around teenagers feeling alone and finding belonging through partying. It also analyzes the representation of gender in indie music videos.

2. Who or what is being represented?
Subject matter presented to the audience is the sense of being lost or a general
isolation from society, which is represented through the story of two sisters. The
video uses the young females to show that young people struggle to fit in or find
their place within society which is most likely caused by society's judgmental
nature. The video could also be suggesting that the young females struggle to fit
in and to be comfortable in their own skin.

3. Mise-en-Scene
The girls are represented as the 'odd ones out'; they live in a very rural and old
fashioned town which doesn't seem to fit with the girls' style - the dialogue also
emphasises this fact. The sisters also share a tattoo which no-one else in the
town has - it makes them feel lonely but also highlights their differences from
both society and setting. As the video progresses though, the sisters fins a home
with another group of teenagers who enjoy listening to Avicii (promotional
factor).

4. CameraWork
Due to the narrative style of the video, the camerawork must be used in a way
which reflects this. Close up shots are used for details such as tattoos and facial
expressions and establishing shots are used to give the audience a sense of space
- informing them of which stage of their journey they are on.

5. Stereotypes
The video agrees with some stereotypes as it suggests that teenagers feel alone
as they are segregated from society. Not only this, but teenagers may also feel
alone as they feel uncomfortable in their own skin - a trouble frequently revisited
in many music videos. The video also looks at another stereotype of the teenager
- the party animal. The video shows this at the ending, where the two girls finally
find a home amongst other teenagers at a concert.
It is possible that the video also subverts the stereotype as the teenagers are
presented as proactive and independent as they try to find their own home
without any help and this is very unlike the lazy and grumpy teenager
often presented in the media.

6. Who/what is being represented?
NWA are featured in the video and present themselves as being bold and brave in
their choices; therefore showing the viewer that they are not afraid to express
themselves. As a group of young black men it could be argued that they dress in
ways which oppose others in society and that just because the aren't of
'favoured' ethnic origin they can still dress as they please.

7. Mise-en-Scene
Colourful backgrounds are used in the video to help reiterate the idea of visually
'expressing yourself'. Not only this, but some people shown are also wear
coloured clothing which contrasts against the groups usual dark style of black t
shirts and jeans.

8. CameraWork
A mixture of different shots are used within the video which perhaps displays the
attitude of the artists. Pan shots are also used to show the environment which
the group are performing in - also informs the viewer the type of area someone
of that ethnicity would live in. Medium close ups are used to intimidate rival
gangs and oppositional audience members. Long shots are specifically used to
show large crowds of people as this could convey the idea of gang nature.

9. Stereotypes
People could be offended by this representation because it is displaying young
black men to be violent and troublesome when in fact only a small minority are
actually involved in any crime.
In a sense, the video does conform to stereotypes as some young black men do
operate with aggression in gangs. However, the video appears to challenge the
stereotype as the message conveyed in the song is one of inspiration. The group
tries to promote peace and goes against violence within the video which
ultimately creates a clear juxtaposition.

10. Who/what is represented?
More often than not, indie music videos include both genders. This is
most likely due to the increasing presence of female leads in indie bands,
like Florence + the Machine for example. Not only this, but it also appears
that the indie genre is less misogynistic than that of rap or hip – hop
which allows women to be represented in an equal status to
men. However, most indie bands are comprised mainly of heterosexual
men, which proves that women are still shown as desirable. This could
arguably show that the indie genre can show men in a bad light as it
appears all they care about are women.

11. Could anyone be offended by this representation?
I feel that some women may be offended by the representations in some of these
music videos. One key example would be the Arctic Monkeys video ‘Do I Wanna
Know?’. And although the video is animated the women are still scantily clad and
appear to wear revealing clothing, as well as this, women are the only people in
the video – it is almost as if the video is telling us that women are the only people
worth seeing as they are so ‘desirable’.
It could be argued that men would take offence to this representation too. I’m
certain that they too would like to be included in a video alongside women, to
show that they are equal and that they should not be left out.

12. Could anyone be offended by this representation? [ Continued ]
Men would most likely take offence to the Florence + The Machine video
‘Spectrum’ too. The video is a performance and men can only be seen topless and
dancing, this may offend some men as they wish to be presented in a more
masculine manner, however they may also be offended as they don’t want to be
seen as a kind of ‘tool’. In the video the men lift up Florence which may imply that
women have control over men which some men (and women) may not like the
idea of.

13. Mise-en-Scene
The mise-en-scene usually informs the viewer whether or not the video
conforms to certain stereotypes. The clothing is key to representation of
gender as it visually shows the viewer the attitudes of the artists.
For example, the Arctic Monkeys video (even though it is animated)
includes images of women who wear quite revealing clothing, which
arguably implies that the band see women as sexual objects and nothing
more.

14. CameraWork
The camerawork reinforces the nature of the mise-en-scene as close ups are used
to exemplify the figure-hugging nature of the outfits, which further imply that
the band enjoys seeing women in this light. This is most likely not the case, but
due to the nature of the video, the audience can get this kind of impression.

15. Does it conform to a stereotype?
I would agree that the genre does (in some areas) agree with the stereotype that women are seen as
sexual objects and are only good for their beauty. Some videos relate to this stereotype and the mise-
en-scene backs it up; after all the women seen in the videos which do relate to the stereotype can be
seen wearing very revealing clothing and high heels.
I would also agree that the genre can sometimes conform to the stereotype that men are powerful
and use their strength in a harmful way. Evidence of this can be found in the alt-j video
‘breezeblocks’. Within the video a man murders a woman, we can also see that he appears to be
cheating on his wife too but that he also locks up another woman. All of these details add to this
stereotype and confirm that it is used within certain areas of the indie genre.
However, the genre can be known to disrupt the stereotype and often produces videos which are
quite odd narratives which neither harm nor offend anyone by creating a stereotype. These quite
neutral videos are often performance based and an example of one would be The Vaccines’ ‘Teenage
Icon’.

16. Who/what is being represented?
Age and class is most commonly represented through groups of kids, teens,
adults or elderly people. Young adults are typically chosen for pop music as they
are seen in a good light to promote an album. It is unusual to see lower young
people selling music as they do not necessarily have the 'look' that producers are
after.
Age is represented by youth, showing different levels of age to appeal to target
audience. Classes have different levels of wealth, make someone aspire to being
rich, etc.

17. Blink 182 –What’s my age again?
Age and class represented through attitudes and actions. When their jobs are
shown, we can relate to their class. Mise-en-scene exemplifies this: waiter looks
higher class - wears shirt and tie. However, the young men run around naked and
they also have lots of piercings which connotes lower class behaviour.
Conforms to the stereotype that young people are immature and reckless and
they are influenced by their friends.