This document discusses the representation of a character in a music video. It summarizes that: 1) The character is represented as a generic type familiar to the electro/soul music genre through their appearance and actions. 2) An intertextual reference was included, replicating the style of Tom Odell's music video "Another Love" through similar mise-en-scene elements. 3) Several shots represent the character accepting the end of a previous relationship, though audience interpretation differed from the intended representation.

1. Alex Hooseman
Representation in My Media Products
The music video represents the character shown as a generic type. A generic character type is
where a character is familiar in appearance and actions in coordination to a particular genre of
music. This is the only character that is portrayed in the video throughout, meaning that the
character continuously represents a generic character type. With the electro/soul genre in mind,
I had identified that the genre was niche and therefore it was difficult to follow conventions to
the genre in terms of mise-en-scene and incorporate any potential intertextual references. On
close inspection, it is evident that I have included an intertextual reference in this shot as I have
followed the style of Tom Odell in his video, Another Love. The mise-en-scene includes a slow
zoom, props, brick background and black clothing, to which I have attempted to replicate to
represent the intertextual reference. This shot represents the character slowly drifting away from
the previous relationship that is explained through the lyrics. This adds the element of narrative
to the performance style of video to create a narrative performance, a video type that challenges
conventions of the genre.
Enigma Code: What is this prop? Why is it here? What it the meaning of it? What does it represent?
Again, this shot represents the character as the generic type due to the mise-en-scene included in the video and
the way in which the character’s behaviour is portrayed. In this shot, it represents the character accepting the
difference himself and his companion from the previous relationship. This representation is portrayed through
the character nodding their head to the rhythm of the soundtrack to emphasise this acceptance. The movement
by the character emphasises the symbolic code as his action of nodding his head symbolises the character’s
acceptance. This representation is made to seem natural because I have tried to replicatea response of a person
that is it a similar situation to the character in the video. The representation does not particularly target anyone
of the target audience because the character’s actions do not resemble anyone of the target audience personally,
due to the reaction of the situation. As said previously, I think that the action of the character represents
acceptance for the end of his relationship, however to viewers of the video thought that the representation is
different and slightly misleading. The difference in the accounts are because of my playing the role of the
character, I understood the representation that I was tryingto portray, whereas the response from the target
audience was different as they did not understand fully without an explanation provided.
EnigmaCode: Why is hestaring? Whatdoes this represent?
In this shot, thecharacter in thevideo is staring directly at the camera to interact
with the audience. Directinteractionwith theaudience is representedandachieved
through a close upofthe eyes oftheartist thatlook directly throughtheframeto
specifically target the audience.Arguably, thesymboliccodeis also applied dueto
the makeup applied. The darkenedcolours and bags under the characters eyes could
emphasisethestrugglein whichthey arehaving withcoping with theloss ofhis
relationship andthis directappeal totheaudiencecouldshow theaftermath ofthe
relationship andshow the results thatit has led to for him. The facialexpression
appears naturalto the viewerandgenericas theminimal makeupapplied ensures
that the characterlooks realistic toclearly illustratethe effects ofthesituation.
Towards theend ofthesequence, the character is shownin a mid-shot, passionately
singing to thelyric. In this shot, the characteris portrayed as the generic type
because oftheminimalmake-up applied as well as thesomewhatsmart casual
clothing illustrates the realistic appeal ofthe character. The naturaland realistic
appearanceofthecharacter provides closureto the audience ofthespecific genreas
well as theindiegenre because this allows the characterto actand believeas a
person whofollows thegenreand its conventions. Thesequencecouldfeature the
action code becauseofthemovementand gestures ofthecharacter couldrepresent
the addition ofsuspense as thegestures could beas result ofcoming to terms with
the character’s currentsituation.