Music Videos:Exam Questions

How are the elements of the theoretical framework interpreted by audiences?

The theoretical framework in each of the videos Little Mix 'Black Magic' (B.M) and The Vamps 'Somebody to you' (S.T.Y) can be interpreted in different ways by the audience.

In B.M the mis en scene (clothing) in the video can be portrayed as voyaristic giving the audience a sexual pleasure from viewing and may be watching for how the artists are dressed (when the girls are shown as ‘popular’ in short clothing). The use of the close ups on each of the members in the group can reflect to the audience the different personalities in the group and how they dress/their style as the camera shots of them in their clothes suggests to the audience that they are showing off their fashion. 

In S.T.Y the mis-en-scene (clothing) of the artists are rocky, cool looking giving the audience an impression of how you should dress if you want to be ‘cool’ implementing this style on teens. The representation of the girls in the video  are shown as happy, youthful teens and the focus is not on their body image therefore is mainly focussed on the music and the video of the artists instead of the other characters. 

How are the elements of the theoretical framework used to construct representations? 

The use of theoretical framework in Little Mix 'Black Magic' (B.M) and The Vamps 'Somebody to you' (S.T.Y)  construct many representations of stereotypical characters. 

In B.M the artists are portrayed at ‘geeks’ providing characteristics of how geeks are un cool and portraying them in a negative way (wearing clothing that is dirty and oversized) to show the realism of the narrative of the video. The video relates to teen culture which makes the video inclusive as there is many different characters in it, not only the main artists. The camera angles in the video may reflect how the artists are represented as the movement of the camera is stable towards the start of the video however gets closer and personal (close ups) to reflect on the insecurity of the characters before they change to ‘popular’ girls. The artists transform into likeable characters as the ‘popular’ girls in the school, gaining attention from boys portraying the positive representation of people who uphold these characteristics (use of outfits that stand out to the audience). The artists are shown as dominant representatives of women in society by portraying the 'star image' of the artists throughout the video.

In S.T.Y the representations of the artists are reflecting on societies ‘cool’ look nowadays. The positive representation lets teens dress like the artists giving an impact on how they look and may change their styles. The quick cut pace of the editing reflects on the representations of the characters as it may reflect there fun,enjoyable personalities. The use props (amplifier on stage, guitar, drums) shows that the artists are represented in a dominant way conforming to the genre with the props - shown as positive representations. 

Does the video portray people in stereotypical ways? Are these reflections of real people or are they just one-sided characters?

The videos Little Mix 'Black Magic' (B.M) and The Vamps 'Somebody to you' (S.T.Y) portray people in stereotypical ways. 

At the start of B.M the artists are portrayed as geeks- shown as inferior, weak, and worthless towards which reflects on 'geeks' in real life and how they are shown in society telling the audience that thats the overall view on geeks today. The artists then change to ’popular’ characters who are portrayed as having more dominance then the characters before giving them a dominant representation showing the audience that the 'popular' girls are better. The artists are shown as confining to the ‘popular’ and ‘geek’ stereotype reflecting on how they are viewed nowadays. 

In S.T.Y the artists are portrayed as cool,fun boys who enjoy life conforming to the stereotypical ‘teenage boy’ agenda. The female characters are represented as stereotypically skinny reflecting the 'perfect body' in society today - this gives the audience a false representative of body image as it doesn't show variety within the video.

How and why might audiences base themselves on the celebrities within the music videos you have studied?

The videos Little Mix 'Black Magic' (B.M) and The Vamps 'Somebody to you' (S.T.Y) show artists as idealic and stylish giving audiences an insight into the artists styles and personalities. 

The artists in B.M are shown as weak and worthless giving the audience an open view on how the ‘geeks’ are seen to people around. The artists in B.M towards the end are  dominantly empowering when they are ‘popular’  portraying to the audience that if you are to be popular you are seen as dominant, more stylish and more liked. Throughout the video the artists portray stereotypical roles to implement society views on people nowadays showing people how they should be. The artists are dressed in voyaristic clothes portraying to viewers that if you wear these type of clothes you will be popular and liked more then if u were a ‘geek’.

In S.T.Y the artists are shown as cool, rocky and fun- showing to the audience that if you play the guitar then you are shown as ‘cool’. The artists throughout the video are portrayed as handsome as they seem to be getting the attention from the girls in the video- this shows to the audience that the cool,rocky boys get the girls which may cause the viewers to change their appearance to leather jackets, tight jeans.Demi Lovato is presented as a high viewed pop star, fans of her while watching this video may be only watching because of her, and because she is wearing jeans and a flowy top people may go out and buy these clothes to be like her.