Man on fire is a unique music video as it takes a different turn to music video. This music video tells a narrative but uses a different filming style as it is even more naturalistic compared to other indie folk music videos.
Codes and Conventions:
This music video does not follow the main conventions of indie folk as it does not show the artist instead it tells a story through other people. This is done to show different aspects of life and motivate people. This also helps the viewer connect more with the situation of the video and relate to it instead of connecting with just the artist and the music.
The colours used do follow the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos as it is dull and not very bright. There is also a certain effect on it that was placed while editing which again follows the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos and it makes the visuals seem as slow as the music which is usually the case.
The mise-en scene of the music video does not follow the conventions of indie folk music videos as most of the mise-en scene is indoors and in a naturalistic setting interns of the studios and the different training areas being used. This is not typical of indie folk music videos however it does work very well with this music over it as it relates to it.
The narrative however is staying to stereotypical to indie folk music videos as it shows clear narrative that relates to the music and the lyrics. The music video also shows progression and different types of people which means different people can relate to the video.
This music video is a beautiful idea due to the concept it is built upon and the song that is played over it. Bon Iver have followed a very creative idea on the song each support the lyrics.
Codes and Conventions:
A very unusual thing about this music video is that it does not follow the main codes and conventions of indie folk but it is still very effective due to its unique creative concept. One of the main convention of music videos is that it uses the artist in the video and we rarely see an actor however in this music video we do not see Bon Iver instead we see a child actor who takes on a role of an adult man.
One of the conventions that we do see is the use of mise-en scene. The video stays true to stereotypical indie folk music video in terms of having it set outdoors where a lot of nature can be seen. This can be seen throughout the music video as it is set outdoors.
Another thing that we do see that sticks to the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos is the use of narrative. This music video is set out as a narrative where at the start we see the boy getting dressed and then going outside for a walk as he stumbles across different nature backgrounds. This is the one main thing in this music video that truly sticks to the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos.
Clothing, this is another thing that this music video has that follows the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos. The typical style sense in indie folk music videos is the everyday look and this is what was in this music videos. The dressing style supported the music as the music was slow and calm while the cloths that were being used were cozy and warm which gave a warm undertone to the video even though it was set in a cold outdoor field.
Relationship between lyrics and visuals:
The relationship between these lyrics and the video were very close as the visuals amplifies the lyrics. This is done by showing on screen what is being said. An example of this is when the lyrics say "and I could see for miles and miles away" the shot that is being used is a long shot which shows miles away. This helps the audience gain a better understanding of the music video as the images and the lyrics are saying the same thing which helps the viewer grasp the concept of the video even more.
This music video in general is done in a very retro but interesting way. The music video as well as the lyrics both show the concept of things changing over time, the narrative that was used of the little boy enjoying the open space and nature and then towards the end the colours turn grey and he is less joyful. This shows loos over time and how the earth around us is slowly dying.
The music video for the song Hopeless Wanderer is a very effective music video due the director following all the codes and conventions of the genre, indie folk.
Codes and conventions:
As Goodwin states every genre has certain codes and conventions which are to be found in all effective music videos of that genre. In this case this music video has followed all of them which meant it became very effective.
The music video starts in a room which is dimly lit and appears to be small. This shot is very simple with nothing but two hanging light bulbs which manage to light up only a small section of the room. This shot follows the codes and conventions of Indie Folk as in most music videos in this genre the mise-en scene is very simple allowing the viewer to focus more on the music and the artist. As the camera fades the lights turn on and we are able to see that the full room which consists off more lighting and it is made clear that the room is a stage. This again is a very important code and convention of indie folk as the background is very simplistic and consists of washed out colours. This stays true to the stertotyped of indie rock as it gives it an old fashioned feel to it and allows the viewer to focus on just the music. This also helps set the scene especially the effect oh having no light then adding light as it helps the viewer focus on small areas.
Another convention in indie folk music videos which is found in this one is the use of instruments. In
this genre in particular a lot of instruments are used which helps the audience see exactly where the music is coming from. This music video follows the conventions very well due to them using the stereotypical instruments that are used in all indie folk music and music videos. This also helps add to the visuals as the artists show emotion while playing the instruments.
Another convention which this music video contains is the use of dark washed out colours. This follows the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos as it suits the lyrics being used. The colours also set the tone of the music video and adds a dull feeling to it due to the colours being dark. This is supported by Goodwin's theory as it shows that there is a relationship between the audio and the visuals.
Relationship between lyrics and visuals:
Throughout this music video the visuals illustrate the song as the whole video contains the artists singing and playing the integuments. This idea is very effective in indie folk music videos as the main aim of this genre is to focus on the artist and the music unlike other genres where there are other stuff to focus on such as the dancing and so on. By having a somewhat plain video the artist is sure that the viewer will focus on just the music instead of being distracted by other things. This also helps the viewer focus on only the meaning of the lyrics and pay deeper attention into them allowing the artist's talents and emotions to be shown very clearly,
Camera angles:
This msuic video has many close ups to help the audience connect with the artists and also help them, understand exactly how the artist is feeling. In indie folk close ups are used frequently as this genre's main aim is to get the audience to feel exactly what the artist is singing and also focus on only the music and the artist. by adding close up the director is able to make sure that the emotions are being showed and help the viewer connect with the artist.
This shot shows just an outline of the artist and this helps set the mood of the music videos as it gives it kind of a classic style. This is a common thing that is found in indie folk music videos as they typically focus on just the artist and their music, The close ups also help the audience to feel the emotion which the artist is feeling.
Due to this genre being indie rock there is no voyeurism used as the main focus of the video is the artist and the music. This genre in particular is also seen as very old fashioned meaning there is no flashy images being used just the artist pure style and character.
This music video follows a different style that is found in the genre indie folk. Instead of having a narrative we see the artist travelling to different places and different shots are from different scenes.
Codes and Conventions:
This music video follows some of the stereotypical conventions that are found in indie folk music videos but the video is still effective due to the director sticking to a similar style of indie folk music videos.
The video starts with a few close up and a low angle shot on the artist. This is a very common thing that is found in indie folk music videos as it allows the audience to connect with the artist and see their emotion. This also help the viewer to understand the song and the lyrics better as this genre focuses on the artist and the music more than anything else.
Another common convention that this video has that is found in a lot of indie folk music videos is the artist performing to an audience during the song. This is used to focus on the artist as a performer and show what his style is. This shot also shows the audience and it showing that they are having fun which hints to the other fans that live shows are entertaining which may persuade them to see the artist live thus making more money.
One thing that is not sticking to the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos is the mise-en scene in some shots. The artist starts off in a city on his bike and this is an unusual thing for the viewer to see as indie folk is usually set in a naturalistic place with a lo of greenery how ever during this music video the first few shots are off the artist on a bike in a city. However a few seconds into the music video there is greenery beings shown as the artist rides his bike in a car and later on we also get certain shots of nature. The artist then ends up in a lake but the nature is soon over taken by buildings and fences again.
This music video may not have a narrative however it does have a message to it. The artist is seen to be travelling to many different places in many different ways. The artist is moving slowly and not in very happy way which shows loos of something important to him as he is travelling thus suggesting that he is lost and no longer knows his porous. Another thing that the directer has over used is the use of fences and gates, this again represents being locked up and not really free which is what the artist seems to be portraying through his song and the emotions he is showing. At the end of the music video we get a montage of him doing different things such as swimming, walking, jumping. Again this is unusual for an indie folk music video as the music is always very slows and the filming is slow as well. This gives a sense of change due to the fact that after these shots the artist is happy again.
Instruments, the use of instruments in this music video is common and that is a common thing when it comes to indie folk as the viewer can hear where the music is coming from and how the artist feels about a certain thing which can be shown through emotions that are being portrayed while the artist is playing the music.
Relationship between lyrics and visuals:
The lyrics and visuals in the music video have no relationship at all during most the video however there are a couple of lines and shots that amplify each other and add meaning to the shot that is being used. An example of this is when the artist says "or watch me fall apart" we see a shot of him sleeping on a sofa as if he was looking comfort and someone to hold him due to the fact that he looks very depressed. This particular shot allows the audience to see the meaning of the lyrics and therefor feel the same way the artist intended for them to feel. This helps the audience connect with the artist even more as they are able to see exactly how he is feeling..
This music video is very effective in general as it does not give away the meaning upon first viewing. When the music video is viewed for the first time you get a sense of depression and being lost but by the second of thither time of viewing it is clear that this music video is about someone feeling lost and needed love.
"Music videos ignore common narrative as they are essentially advertisement. As consumers, we make up our own meaning of a songs in our minds: a music video can anchor meaning and give the record company/ artist a method of anchoring meaning". This is how Andrew Goodwin describes the use of music videos and how the music is used to add more to the visuals being shown. Goodwin's idea of a music video is that it is more of an advert which allows the record company to make more money out of the artist and allows them to become more popular.
Goodwin also states that each music video follows a certain style and contain round about the same points. He states that there a five main aspects that are found in all music videos which help make them effective. Genre Characteristic:
Goodwin points out key features in almost every music video and discusses how the editing style as well as the visuals that are being used can be presented in different ways to create different meanings. He also emphases the idea of having music videos change in terms of characteristics that are found in it depending on what genre the music is. This can be seen in many music videos such as Little Mix and Twenty One Pilots. These music videos use the stereotypical features of their genre. Such as twenty one pilots having clips of a concert due to them being a rock band and Little Mix having extravagant dance routines due to them being a pop girl band.
An example of this is the dance routines in pop music videos especially those where the artist is a girl group. Little Mix is an example of this. Little mix are a girl group who have a who make pop music them they have many shots where there are dance routines in their music videos and them just having fun. This can be seen in their music video Move, tis is a common feature in girl band music video as it appeals more to the target audience which they are aimed at. Another music video which has the same situation is Fifth Harmony. Again due to them being a pop girl band they follow the same characteristics as Little Mix and a lot of their music videos are very similar to Little Mix. The dance routines help the music videos to stay high energy and ensure that the viewer watches it twice to be able to take everything in. This dance routine also supports Goodwin's idea of the artist being a product which the record company are able to sell to the public to gain more fans thus gaining more money.
A popular characteristic in rock music videos is showing footage of a live performance in the music video this shows that the visuals used in a music video varies to what genre the music is due to the fact that it is very unlikely that there is footage of a live performance in pop music videos. An example of this can be seen in Twenty One Pilots music videos especially in the song Lane Boy. Another feature which is used is dark colours and very loud amplified music. This again is not likely to be seen in pop music videos.
Indie Folk is an unusual genre in terms of the music video. In an ever changing world where the technology is constantly developing and allowing music videos to become more exciting and allows the director to add a wow factor and make the effects look very extravagant and very exciting. As every other genre is developing and adding a lot of colour and effects in the video acoustic folk is seen to be old fashioned as the conventions have not changed over time. This is due to this genre being very naturalistic and simplistic as the main focus tends to be just the artist and their music.
Natural looking:
This is one of the main things emphasied in Indie Folk music videos as it allows the soul purpose of the music video to be the artist and the meaning of the song only. Different things are used in the music video to help it be very naturalistic and one of these things are the narrative. This is usually a real life situation which has a lot of emotion in it. Different things are also incorporated withing the narrative to help the music video seem even more naturalistic examples of these are make-up, location, filming style, lighting and clothing.
We are planning to include this in many ways throughout our music video. Through the make-up, and mise-en scene. By doing this we are making sure we follow the codes and conventions of music videos as the main focus of this indie folk music video is for the audience to give their attention to the lyrics and the artist or the performance.
Filming Style:
Filming style is very simple, sometimes seen as old fashioned due to lack of manufacturing in the music as well as the videos. The main focus of Indie Folk music video is the artist and the music and by having a simple filming style the director can be sure that the only thing the viewer will give a lot of attention to the music and the artist. Indie Folk music is seen to be old fashioned in terms of the music video and the sound of the music it self there is little to no manufacturing. Indie Folk music videos stick to the old style of filming and has no special effects or that 'wow' factor which is found in nearly all videos now. A very common thing that the music videos include is a narrative. By placing a narrative the director is able to control how the viewer feels by telling a story that's either happy or sad.
We are planning to do this throughout our music video in many ways to ensure that we stick to the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos in many ways. Firstly we are planning to do this by having little to no editing effects throughout the music video. Another thing we will add to the editing to make it look "old fashioned" is adding a sepia effect on it, this will make the video seem even slower and emphasis the narrative and the theme of decay that is placed throughout the narrative of the music video. The only editing effect we are planning on using is split screen, this may be one of the only ways we go against the codes and conventions as we are planning of placing an emphasis to show are both the character's lives are different but somehow connected.
Mise en-scene:
Indie Folk has a very distinct mise-en scene as it does not follow other genres. In Indie Folk music videos the setting is very natural due to the genre having a high emphasis on narrative and the artist. By having the music video set in a simple place the director can be sure that the audience will focus on just the music and the artist, nothing else. Another very important thing in this genre is having a mise-en scene which is strongly linked to the narrative as it adds more to the story, there is almost always a very strong link between the character and the environment they are in. This allows the artist to manipulate exactly how he or she wants the viewer to feel by having things played out in a certain way therefor making the audience feel sorry for a certain character or angry towards another. Again this highlights the whole idea of the genre focusing on just the artist and their music. A very typical place to have a scene set in a music video is a stage while the artist is either performing or rehearsing, this is due to the idea of the viewer being able to see where the music is coming from. By setting it in such place the stage can also be lit in a way that allows the director to manipulate how the audience feel for example by having the lighting as a cold blue the viewer would feel unease and very upset on the other hand if it is a warm tone similar to natural lighting the viewer would feel at ease and it would add a happy tone to the music video or that particular scene.
In our production we have are planning to sick to the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos by following the codes and conventions regarding the mise-en scene. The locations we have chosen to film in are a bedroom, a park and a city. This helps us stick closely to the codes and conventions as the bedroom will add to the narrative and help the audience understand the video a bit more. The park is another thing that sticks closely to the codes and conventions, this is due to the genre being all natural and by placing the artist in an open space where there is not much focus on the surrounding the audience are able to focus on just the music and the artist which is one of the main things in acoustic folk music videos.
Instruments:
The use of instruments is a very important thing in this genre as they are seen as part of the artists identity and style which is what is a major highlight of this genre. In almost every music video of the Indie Folk genre there is a guitar or a piano. This allows the viewer to connect to not only the lyrical side of the song but also the musical side which adds more emotions. Due to this genre having a very big emphasis on just the musical side of the song the use of instruments can become very handy. By showing the artist play an instrument in the music video a great deal of talent is shown which also allows the fan to connect with the artist due to many of them playing instruments as well. Adding an instrument in the music video also appeals very highly to the fans as they are able to play the song later on in things like local gigs where they are able to showcase their talent.
In our production we are planning on using instruments as it is one of the main things that are found in indie folk music videos. We are doing this by having many scenes of the music video to show the artist playing the guitar along with the music. This was a key aspect of the music video as it is one of the main things that is seen in almost all music videos.
Fashion:
The clothing style in Indie Folk music videos tends vary depending on the artist's style but they still all follows a very similar style in terms of colours. There are two main ways in which the fashion sense of the artist are. They are either dressed in very simple clothing such as flannel shirts, blue jeans, white t-shirt and jumpers or they are either dressed in a formal attire (shirt, tie and smart trousers but without the blazer) these two fashions sense depends on the style of the music video. Performances based music videos tend to have a very formal sense to them such as the Muffed and Sons- little lion man. However, when a music video is narrative based the clothing tends to be very simple to suit the narrative and the story being told.
The fashion sense we are planning to have in our production is very similar to this as it adds to the narrative.We are planning to have very simplistic story and to emphasis just how poor the guy is, we are planning to have certain clothing available. This will be done by making him wear blue jeans, white t-shirt and a jacket or something very similar to this with a few changes in different scenes in the music video. The girls clothing style will also be very similar to the guys as it is going to be plane and dull to suite the theme of the music video. By doing this we have managed to stick to the codes and conventions of the music video as it is plane but also relevant to the narrative.
Performance:
An artists performance in an Indie Folk music video is very important as it helps the emotions in the lyrics to be passed through to the audience. This is very important in indie folk music videos as the main focus of the production is to portray the feelings of the artist and make the audience understand exactly what is going through the artist's mind and how they are feeling, this can be done in a very effective way throughout indie folk music videos as the director is able to manipulate the audience's feeling by showing certain things in a certain way. The main important thing about indie folk music videos is the amount of emotion shown through the performance of the artist to allow the audience to connect with the artist as well as giving a clear understanding which helps the audience understand the narrative better.
This will be done during our music video by the actors/ artist. By doing this we will be able to follow the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos as the main aim of them is to help the audience relate to the artist and the lyrics as well as feeling an emotional connection to the lyrics. So by having the artist perform and show emotions we will be able to successfully follow indie folk music videos. We are also planning to have the artist sing the song on a stage as if he was rehearsing for a show by doing this again we are following the codes and conventions of indie folk music videos as stage performances ten to be seen quite a lot.
Lighting:
In this genre lighting is used in a very smart but subtle way. The lighting tends to be plane on most music videos with a soft golden glow to it, this being done is very smart as the lighting is used to represent the sunlight as a reference to nature.
Miley Cyrus is a star who has gone through a major transformation through the years in terms of her star image. In Miley's younger years she was seen as a very innocent carefree girl but recently that image has change drastically.
Hannah Montana:
In Miley's early days from the age of 11 to 17 Miley was on the Disney Channel original show Hannah Montana. This show was an American Comedy which focuses on Miley Stewart and how her life is being a normal teenage girl who is secretly an international pop star and living a double life. The show follows around the Stewarts family and their friends as they live out their every day tasks. This show was seen as very family friendly and very innocent due to the fact that it was on the Disney Channel where things must be appropriate for children.
Hannah Montana also produced a movie which was very successful at the time due to the fact that the show was popular. This added to Miley's skills and accomplishment. This movie made Miley Cyrus even more likable due to her childlike but comedic performance in the film.
Girl Next Door: During these few years of her life Miley's star image was seen as the typical girl next door who was very innocent but playful. Back then (around 2010) Miley was seen as a very good role model for kids and a very good person to look up to due to her innocent appearance and very calm, possitive, nice personality. Her performance during concerts was another thing that made her family friendly and a great role model as she was seen regularly bringing ill kids to the stage to sing with her and also held many charity concerts for the less fortunate. Miley's image of the girl next door became very popular due to the fact that the image she was portraying is the image that the public preferred at the time. Miley was seen as a very down to earth normal girl even though she was a celebrity. Around this time Miley was very likable and had many young fans due to the show, Hannah Montana. Miley also had a very successful singing career as herself instead of Hannah Montana which included a few songs such as Party in the USA and When I Look at you. This made Miley show as even more talented as her songs were very good and enjoyed by many teenagers.
From 2008 to 2010 Miley stared in a number of movies such as LOL, So Undercover and The Last Song. These movies added more to Miley's star image as she was seen as a more mature teenager and had developed a very serious acting career. This also expanded Miley's fan base as her fans from Hannah Montana watched the movie as well as new ones who just enjoyed the movie. Due to the movies having a very different narratives Miley had a lot more fans as different people with different interests were watching the same girl. For example the movie LOL was based on a love story but had more drama and teenage life style in it while the movie The Last Song was more a heartfelt romance more which allowed the fan base to grouw due to the movies being different So Undercover was a action-comedy film also which attracted a different fan base due to it being different. This movie expanded Miley's star image and made her seem more down to earth as she was seen as a normal teenage girl but with talent. Miley also voiced a few characters in cartoon movies such as Penny from Bolt and Super Rhino. this added to the whole innocent and playful star image she was portraying at the time due to the character being so much like Miley herself which gave the her fans a very positive idea about her.
Liam Hemsworth:
While filming The Last Song. Miley met Liam Hemsworth who was playing her love interest during the film they fell in love this added more to Miley's mature and good girl star image as they were always seen smiling and having fun at the time miley seemed really happy and this was shown thought the magazines and TV interviews that she was doing. Miley's maturity was also seen during this time due to the way she was handling the relationship, Miley wanted to keep the relationship private and out of the public eye as she told Seventeen Magazine at the time "it sucks when your personal life becomes public, so I'm finding ways to make my personal and private life more of my life- which is why I deleted my Twitter". Miley came of as a very mature person at this time even though she was only 16. This added to her star image in a positive way as the public saw them as a perfect and sweet couple.
New Image:
In 2013 Miley's star image completely changed from a sweet innocent little girl to a very edgy, crazy out of control artist. Miley released the single Wrecking ball as well as the music video which was one of the firsts things that kick started Miley's new image. Miley was a completely different person as she no longer dressed like the girl next door who was a very sweet, classy and innocent person but a very out of control artist who did very strange somewhat unacceptable things. Miley's appearance also changed as she cut off her hair and started showing a lot more skin in the cloths she wears. This supports Richard Dyre's star image theory as it shows that Miley used her music video first to portray her new look. She then went on things like the MTV awards and pther award shows and carried out the same acts. Miley also carried out Magazine interviews to express herself and tell the public that this is who she is now as an artist and as a person. Miley also got famous and known for twerking as it became her new thing which she did on almost everyone and in almost every live performance she had. At this stage Miley was criticized by a lot of people to to her being a role model to many young girls out there but her performance and new star image did not suit this. Drugs
Miley's star image changed even more to the edgy wild girl when Miley started openly talking about smoking weed and posting pictures of it on things like Instagram. Miley and her family got a lot of hate and jugment for this as her mum did the same thing and talked regularly about how they both smoke weed. This made Miley look even worse as it added to the idea of her being one of the worse role models out there due to her being a child star who a lot of little girls look up to. Miley also smoked during her live shows which was another major thing that she did which surprised everyone and helped change her star image a lot faster.
After Miley's image changed:
Many people have stated that Miley's change was due to her wanting an older target audience, Before Miley's star image changed to a diva, edgy character her main fan base were kids due to her being on Hannah Montana but due to her star image changing her fan base has completely shifted to teenagers and people in their early twenties. This helped Miley gain a lot more fame than she already had due to her appealing to more people who are capable of spending money on things like music and merchindise which allowed her record company as well as her make a lot more money. This change was a very smart thing to due as it made her more famous and better known. This also supports Richard Dryer's theory of having different steps in order for the star's image to change.
Dyer talks about how celebrates images are constructed and presented to the public through different ways. He identifies three ways in which this is done. These are the star as a construction, commodity and ideology.
The construction of a star is done tin a very careful way. Richard Dyer states that an image of a star is not who they really are instead it is constructed by a group of people who may include people like the stylist and production company. This image of the star is then presented to the public through many ways which include music videos, TV/ magazine interview and advertising. In those different media platforms the star is seen to be acting in a certain way, saying the same things and reacting in similar ways which allows the public to see them in the way they want/planned to be seen which leads to this becoming constructed their image.
The star commodity is how the production company gains profit from the star. This is done by creating merchandise to sell to the fans, examples of this are things like posters and T-shirts. Record labels can insure that they gain profit by creating similar stars to ones who were previously made as they know that certain patterns will generate a similar response to previous things that have been carried out and became very successful. This is why we fid similar boybands or stars such as One Direction and The Wanted.
The ideology of the star is how they become more liable and famous. This is done by getting the star to represent certain social groups. As a result of this their fans will follow the views of the artist and their style, this then create a positive multiplier effect as other members of the public who share the same views as the artist will pay some attention to them and potentially end up becoming a fan.
Intertextuality was used a lot during this music video due to the fact that this song was on the soundtrack for the movie Divergent. There are many shots in this music video which come directly from the movie and other which include certain aspects that came from the movie.
The music video starts with the artist holding a little glass cylinder with a light blue liquid in it. This is the first example of intertextuality as it was seen in the movie too. This shows intertextuality as it refers back to the movie and only a few people would get the reference while others would think it is insignificant or add a different meaning to it.
Another example of intertextuality is when clips from the movie itself are being used in the music video. This shows a huge reference to other media platforms. These shots would leave audience confused if they have not seen the movie as it will leave them wondering why these shots where placed in the music video. However to fans of the movie it will be very helpful as it helps them understand the music video and link what is going on in the music video back to the movie.
The one very obvious reference made to the movie during this music video are the tattoos. This music video adds a lot of details on the tattoos and makes a very clear reference to it as they are sometimes the main focus on the screen. The tattoos are emphasised even more due to the fact that clips from the movie that also use the tattoos as a main focus point are used in the music video.
Another very important thing which they have used as a main focus of the music video is the love story between the two main characters which is also shown in the music video. The music video uses the narrative of the movie as its narrative as well. The music video starts with the artist being lost not knowing where she is while shots of a male are being shown where he is training and walking. This follows the narrative of the movie and makes a huge reference to it as this is how the movie starts to. The artist then continues to sing and wander around and later on she find the male and fall in love, Again this is a very important part as it is referencing the music video. This shows intertextuality as references to other forms of media have been made during this music video in the case it is the movie divergent.
Intertexuality is the process of referencing media text through other media texts in this case music videos. This could be done by setting the music video in a certain place or having it play out as a certain movie. Intertexuality is seen mainly through TV and cinema as artists make references to them the most.
An example of this is seen thorough Diana Ross's music video of the song Chain Reaction. During the 60s Diana Ross was part of a music group who were on the show ready steady go. During the 80s Diana's music video was set on the set of read steady go which shows Intertexuality due to the fact that she is referencing an event that happened almost 20 years ago meaning only a few people will understand the reference.
This music video has both the male and the female viewer gaze due to where it is set. The music video is made by a female music group but the fact that it was set on a construction site where you typically see a lot of men the music director, Director X has been able to appeal to both genders.
The camera shots that are used are very different in different shots. The beginning the video appeals more to the female viewer gaze as it concentrates more on men. This is done by using the camera angles to create a sense of an over sexualised body.
Director X has decided to appeal more to the female viewer gaze by showing the men's masculinity as well as sexualising their bodies. This is done to follow the stereotype of men being very strong and being able to do all the physical work. In order to show the masculine side of being a male he has decided to always has a certain prop such as a tool or building material whenever he has a male on screen. This has made the female viewer gaze in this music video very effective as most woman find masculine muscular men very appealing.
There is a low angle shot that is being used 12 seconds into the video where a male is holding a tool and wearing nothing but a hat and safety googles again this is done to appeal to the female viewer gaze and this is done by over sexualising the male that is in the shot and making him look very sweaty as if he was hard at work. This is shot is also used to make the viewer feel as if they are standing below the male and that he is in charge. This helps the viewer connect with the male model. This shot is very typical as it is the simplistic way to over sexualise the male body but also very effective in terms of how many views the music video got.
A few seconds after the first shot we get another shot which appeals to the female viewer gaze. It is another shirtless, muscular man cutting wood with a machine. Again this shot over sexualises the male body and sticks to the stereotypical idea of men being very masculine and doing work physically. This shot also uses the rule of thirds in the shot. The male is placed on the left of the screen but not too far left as to lose significance. The male is still centered while the tools he is working with are in the center but also on the right. This shot is significant as it does not only show the male body being over sexualised but it also shows a very masculine side of him which is what females would be attracted to.
Another camera angle that is used is a low angle shot on a male wile he is walking while pushing something. This shot again does what all the previous shots do and that is to show that the males are masculine and that they are in charge and are very capable of working with very heavy objects. The main props used in this music video are the tools as Director X has used them to emphasis how masculine and strong the men are. This again appeals more to the female viewer gaze as they are often attracted to strong men.
This shot is very similar to previous shots but can be seen as more significant because it shows both male and female gaze. This is done by showing a topless man who is looking at a female in a somewhat sexual erotic way which is shown in the next few shots. Again the machines are used to show a masculine image of the men being portrayed.
Director X has started the music video with something we do not usually see being done. The music video starts with a low to high angle but it is done to show a males body. This is somewhat unusall as it is typically done to sexualise the female body as it makes the male feel as if they really were looking at the female and this is what is being done in this case. This shot was used to appeal to the female viewer gaze as the male that is being shown is very masculine and wearing somewhat tight clothing.
This music video is a very good example of voyeurism as it is based on a girl obsessing over someone and in order to portray this the director, Alek Keshishian has got the music artist to break into the house and go through his stuff but in a very sexual way
The music video starts with the artist laying down on a pillow in handcuffs, while looking at the camera. This allows the audience to connect with the artist as it makes them feel that they are there. The artist is also looking at the camera in a very sexual way and this makes the scene almost erotic. This adds to the male viewer gaze as it brings them a sense of pleasure from the scene.
This shot is another example of the male viewers gaze as it shows Selena taking off the robe she was wearing to reveal that she is wearing nothing but her underwear, this shot is significant as it has a very seexual and erotic feel to it due to the fact that the artist is taking her cloths off. This shot shows that when women are involved in media productions they are seen as objects that are there to please men, which is what this scene is doing.
This shot is very significant as the main focus of it is the female's bum. This shot is a great example of the male viewer gaze and men gain pleasure from such a shot. This is done in almost every music video where a female is involved as it highlights the idea of man gaining pleasure from watching such music videos. This is supported by Larura Mulvey's male gaze theorey as she states that when women are involved in productions it is only for the purpose of being objects as they are striped from their identity and viewed at as objects that bring pleasure to men.
There are also significant shots during the music video where the artist is dancing in a very sexual way, this can be seen through out the music video, these shots are significant as they highlight the idea of women being sexual objects and losing their identity as they are there just to please men.
Overall the Hands to myself music video suppports Mulvey's idea of women being objects and losing their identity as it shows women's bodies in an over sexualised way. This is done to attract more male viewers and gain more views in general
Laura Mulvey argues that while making music videos the audience are considered to be heterosexual men and this is done to appeal to the male gaze. She states that in order to appeal to heterosexual men the production must include certain shots and images of a female body while editing effects are being used, these are things like slow motion, deliberate camera movements and cut away. Laura states that during music videos women are used as objects who lack identity and only exist to please men as they are sexualised, and admired for their physical appearance. She also states that when women are watching the production they often see the narrative from a secondary perspective and view themselves from a man's perspective. Laura believes that when female characters are present in a narrative it is for two reasons. These are as erotic objects for characters in the narrative to view and erotic objects for the audience to view and talk about. Overall Laura Mulvey believes that the presence of female characters within a narrative is very important as it allows the audience to be attracted to the production and generate more views.
This theory will not be used in our final production as we have chosen the genre Acoustic Folk, on of the main features of this genre is the emphasis on just the music and the artist without any distractions which means we will not be able to add the male of the female gaze theory. Another feature which will not allow us to use this theory is the cloth. The cloth in this genre is not at all revealing as it is everyday cloths such as washed out blue jeans and a plain white top.
