Representation:
Aim: On this page I will be discussing the use of Representation
Define: The description or interpretation of someone or something
Explain: Representation can be identified through a description, portrayal or symbol of someone or something.
Define: The description or interpretation of someone or something
Explain: Representation can be identified through a description, portrayal or symbol of someone or something.
MUSIC VIDEO 1 - STRESS BY JUSTICE
Who is being represented?
In this music video I will be analysing who is being represented and how. 'Stress' immediately represents young youths and their place in society, and in this case immigrant youths. Due to the location this music video has been filmed in, it is easily identified that these youngsters can be portrayed as the working/lower class.
Who is representing them?
The song Stress coms from the band Justice. However, it was directed by Romain Gavras. Romain Gavras is a greek/french director. After his big hit with 'Stress' on youtube he found himself in a lot of trouble as many viewers were unhappy with the message Gavras was trying to deliver. Many youtubers found the video disrespectful and unnecessary as they did not want people to start percieving a judgment of the parrsions youth.
Stress would come under the genre of observational documentary because it seems as if nothing is being staged for the audiences entertainment, but instead to show that similar situations e.g. vandalism and buglaries happen so quickly. The audience are in point of view the camera and therefore the documentary begins observational but ends with the viewers being socially aware. It can also be described as reflexive because the viewers are constantly catching eye contact with the youngsters, and seeing them speak to the camera. It does not contain any lyrics in order to keep the focus on the action which is being captured by the camera. The song reflects the mood of violence, distruction and chaos. This can clearly be seen by the body language of the youngsters.
How are the representations being constructed?
This section is comprised into 4 main points.
- Media Language
- Race
-Costume
-Age
The media language throughout the video makes the viewer feel disconnected with the action which is happening. This is due to the cinematography used to make the audience members feel at a lower status than the youth. A hand held camera is being used to show long, medium and close up shots, there are often lower angled and flat eyeline angles to ensure the youth gain the higher status, as well as to put the audience on edge. The gang most definitely achieve this effect as I felt uneasy throughout watching the music video which prolonged for 6.49 minutes. The mise en scene allows us to feel wary and unsure of what is going to happen next due to the number of jump cuts and montages used to create a sense of realism state independence. The black and white effect used to shoot the video suggests that a dark and inflamed mood is being set. The camera is constantly having to keep up with the action and therefore states that it features a documentary style. Both non - diegetic and diegetic sound are used and this can be identified due to the song being used as non - diegetic sound, meaning it was edited in post production. Diegetic sound can be heard when the youngsters are speaking to the camera or to each other, as well as the reality of the scene which is not conventional for a Music Video, but very conventional for observational documentaries.
The youths being portrayed as dangerous and violent are boys from Tunisia. Morroca, Algeria and Senegal ageing from around 12-18. As this male gang is made up of mainly a black culture the media immediately classes them as imigrants. Although not every teenager who is black is seen as this, the youths in the video dress to be noticed and purposely intimidate the people around them. Due to their accents, dress sense (black leather jackets to show their collective identity) these teenagers are trying to hide their individuality, and create a barrier between themselves and the parrisons.
Is the representation positive or negative?
The message in which these youths are trying to portray can be classed as both negative and positive. This is because of course the chaos this gang is producing is being harmful and dangerous to the people around however, they are trying to put across a positive message in that they are trying to portray the current situation for Youth in France whose voice is not being heard.
Does it create a reality or try to reflect?
Romain Gavras had obviously put a lot of thought into the location, sound, editing and costume in order to make this music video look very realistic and therefore I think it creates a reality as many can reflect on the scenarios that happen in the video to similar circumstances in every day life. Therefore Romain Gavras is attempting to reflect a reality.
Who is being represented?
In this music video I will be analysing who is being represented and how. 'Stress' immediately represents young youths and their place in society, and in this case immigrant youths. Due to the location this music video has been filmed in, it is easily identified that these youngsters can be portrayed as the working/lower class.
Who is representing them?
The song Stress coms from the band Justice. However, it was directed by Romain Gavras. Romain Gavras is a greek/french director. After his big hit with 'Stress' on youtube he found himself in a lot of trouble as many viewers were unhappy with the message Gavras was trying to deliver. Many youtubers found the video disrespectful and unnecessary as they did not want people to start percieving a judgment of the parrsions youth.
Stress would come under the genre of observational documentary because it seems as if nothing is being staged for the audiences entertainment, but instead to show that similar situations e.g. vandalism and buglaries happen so quickly. The audience are in point of view the camera and therefore the documentary begins observational but ends with the viewers being socially aware. It can also be described as reflexive because the viewers are constantly catching eye contact with the youngsters, and seeing them speak to the camera. It does not contain any lyrics in order to keep the focus on the action which is being captured by the camera. The song reflects the mood of violence, distruction and chaos. This can clearly be seen by the body language of the youngsters.
How are the representations being constructed?
This section is comprised into 4 main points.
- Media Language
- Race
-Costume
-Age
The media language throughout the video makes the viewer feel disconnected with the action which is happening. This is due to the cinematography used to make the audience members feel at a lower status than the youth. A hand held camera is being used to show long, medium and close up shots, there are often lower angled and flat eyeline angles to ensure the youth gain the higher status, as well as to put the audience on edge. The gang most definitely achieve this effect as I felt uneasy throughout watching the music video which prolonged for 6.49 minutes. The mise en scene allows us to feel wary and unsure of what is going to happen next due to the number of jump cuts and montages used to create a sense of realism state independence. The black and white effect used to shoot the video suggests that a dark and inflamed mood is being set. The camera is constantly having to keep up with the action and therefore states that it features a documentary style. Both non - diegetic and diegetic sound are used and this can be identified due to the song being used as non - diegetic sound, meaning it was edited in post production. Diegetic sound can be heard when the youngsters are speaking to the camera or to each other, as well as the reality of the scene which is not conventional for a Music Video, but very conventional for observational documentaries.
The youths being portrayed as dangerous and violent are boys from Tunisia. Morroca, Algeria and Senegal ageing from around 12-18. As this male gang is made up of mainly a black culture the media immediately classes them as imigrants. Although not every teenager who is black is seen as this, the youths in the video dress to be noticed and purposely intimidate the people around them. Due to their accents, dress sense (black leather jackets to show their collective identity) these teenagers are trying to hide their individuality, and create a barrier between themselves and the parrisons.
Is the representation positive or negative?
The message in which these youths are trying to portray can be classed as both negative and positive. This is because of course the chaos this gang is producing is being harmful and dangerous to the people around however, they are trying to put across a positive message in that they are trying to portray the current situation for Youth in France whose voice is not being heard.
Does it create a reality or try to reflect?
Romain Gavras had obviously put a lot of thought into the location, sound, editing and costume in order to make this music video look very realistic and therefore I think it creates a reality as many can reflect on the scenarios that happen in the video to similar circumstances in every day life. Therefore Romain Gavras is attempting to reflect a reality.
MUSIC VIDEO 2 - A TEAM BY ED SHEERAN
Who is being represented?
There is only one known character within this music video and she is represented to the audience as being a young teenage girl (approximately 16-18).
Who is representing them?
Ruskin Kyle(director) Ed Sheeran(artist).
How is the representation being built?
The representation has been built ultimately through the shots and storyline which have been constructed. Through this we learn that the girl appears to be very unstable emotionally. As an audience member you begin to realise that she is vulnerably housed and suffering from a drug addiction. Her scruffy and untidy costume also add to the representation that is being created.
Is the representation negative or positive and does it reflect or create reality?
The music video portrays a negative representation of the young girl, however it does link to reality. The negativity the music video focuses on about the young girl is mainly to do with the illegal drug taking that takes place, as well as putting herself up for prostitution, which is strongly implied in one particular scene. Both of these acts are looked down upon by the government and the majority of the public.
Does it challenge or support the dominant ideology?
The narrative supports the dominant ideology. It is just assumed by the the general public that all people who seem to be vulnerably housed often take part in illegal activity.
Who is being represented?
There is only one known character within this music video and she is represented to the audience as being a young teenage girl (approximately 16-18).
Who is representing them?
Ruskin Kyle(director) Ed Sheeran(artist).
How is the representation being built?
The representation has been built ultimately through the shots and storyline which have been constructed. Through this we learn that the girl appears to be very unstable emotionally. As an audience member you begin to realise that she is vulnerably housed and suffering from a drug addiction. Her scruffy and untidy costume also add to the representation that is being created.
Is the representation negative or positive and does it reflect or create reality?
The music video portrays a negative representation of the young girl, however it does link to reality. The negativity the music video focuses on about the young girl is mainly to do with the illegal drug taking that takes place, as well as putting herself up for prostitution, which is strongly implied in one particular scene. Both of these acts are looked down upon by the government and the majority of the public.
Does it challenge or support the dominant ideology?
The narrative supports the dominant ideology. It is just assumed by the the general public that all people who seem to be vulnerably housed often take part in illegal activity.
MUSIC VIDEO 3 - FEATHERSTONE BY THE PAPER KITES
Who is being represented?
Featherstone by The Paper Kites displays a magical and fairy tale like theme due to the young children who are the main focus within the music video and their animal like costumes.
Who is representing them?
The song Featherstone is sung by a folk band called The Paper Kites. However, it was directed by Pete Seamons. The video appears to deliver a message of childhood imaginations and a sense of staying young forever.
How is the representation being built?
The representation has been built through the shots and the storyline which has been constructed. The representation does display a reality, as the actors used to play these roles are children instead of young adults. However, it is not common for children of a young age to wonder in a forest unaccompanied.
Is the representation negative or positive and does it reflect or create reality?
The result of this music video is very positive as the audience feel they can interact a with the young actors due to the constant use of eye contact between the actors and the camera. By doing this it keeps the audience engaged with the action. Although there is no spoken dialogue used within the video, the audience are able to understand the purpose of the video due to the clearly thought out sequence of events.
Does it challenge or support the dominant ideology?
There has not been a specific ideology created in this music video however, the audience learn that these children are very adventurous and imaginative.
Who is being represented?
Featherstone by The Paper Kites displays a magical and fairy tale like theme due to the young children who are the main focus within the music video and their animal like costumes.
Who is representing them?
The song Featherstone is sung by a folk band called The Paper Kites. However, it was directed by Pete Seamons. The video appears to deliver a message of childhood imaginations and a sense of staying young forever.
How is the representation being built?
The representation has been built through the shots and the storyline which has been constructed. The representation does display a reality, as the actors used to play these roles are children instead of young adults. However, it is not common for children of a young age to wonder in a forest unaccompanied.
Is the representation negative or positive and does it reflect or create reality?
The result of this music video is very positive as the audience feel they can interact a with the young actors due to the constant use of eye contact between the actors and the camera. By doing this it keeps the audience engaged with the action. Although there is no spoken dialogue used within the video, the audience are able to understand the purpose of the video due to the clearly thought out sequence of events.
Does it challenge or support the dominant ideology?
There has not been a specific ideology created in this music video however, the audience learn that these children are very adventurous and imaginative.