INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS

Beth Oliver

PROPP

Propp developed a theory that within each narrative there are a set of stock characters, which reappear in every

storyline, these roles are:

Hero – Person on the quest

Princess – Prize for hero

Helper – Helps hero

False Hero – Somebody who believes they are the hero

Dispatcher – Sends the hero on their quest

Father – Rewards the hero

Villain – Attempts to stop the hero on his/her quest

Donor – Provides objects to help the hero on their quest

LEVI STRAUSS

Levi-Strauss’ theory dictated that in every media text there are binary opposistions, or a conflict between two

opposites. The audience subsequently are aware of who they should side with, and this technique can also help

create a political theme within a text. For example:

Good & Bad

Rich & Poor

Eastern & Western World

Love & Hate

BARTHES

Barthes was a French semiologist who identified 5 different codes by which a narrative engages the attention of

the audience.

In order of importance:

The enigma code – the audience is intrigued by the need to solve a problem

The action code – the audience is excited by the need to resolve a problem

The semantic code – the audience is directed towards an additional meaning by way of connotation

The symbolic code – the audience assumes that a character dressed in black as evil or menacing and forms

expectations of his/her behaviour on this basis

The cultural code – the audience derives meaning in a text from shared cultural knowledge about the way the

world works

TODOROV

Todorov’s theory states that in a media text there are five stages.

ORIGINAL EQUILIBRIUM (normality)

DISRUPTION

RECOGNITION (of disruption)

ATTEMPT TO RESTORE (original equilibrium)

NEW EQUILIBRIUM

MR BRIGHTSIDE

The Killers

PROPP

In this video there are 3 main characters that we see throughout the video;

The Hero – Lead singer

The Princess

The Villain

PROPP

We can tell that the lead singer is the hero, due to all the close up shots and facial expressions which the match

the lyrics of the song

The other older male we see if clearly the villain due to the presence he has around the women in the video as

well as his facial expressions looking evil.

The women fits the general stereotype of the ‘Princess’ character. She is beautiful and loving towards the main

character. She is also a bit of a damsel in distress which would again fit the stereotype of the ‘Princess’.

LEVI STRAUSS

The main binary opposition in this video is GOOD & BAD. This is shown through the men both fighting for

the main girl; however one guy wants to hurt her, while the other wants to protect her. This could also link into

the theme of LOVE & HATE.

BARTHES

The codes that are used in this video are the ENIGMA AND SYMBOLIC/CULTURAL CODES.

Enigma is shown throughout the video as it does not fully make sense, there is no clear storyline or moral to

the video.

Symbolic/Cultural is shown through the girls flashing their underwear at several occasions; which is what we

associate with prostitutes (which is what I think the girls in the video are suppose to be).

THKS FR TH MMRS

Fall Out Boy

PROPP

There are three main stereotypes we see in the video:

The Hero – The guitarist

The Princess

The Villain – The monkeys (mainly the monkey posing as the director)

PROPP

We know that the guitarist is the hero because (from about half way through when the narrative story

becomes much clearer), he is shown through lots of close up shots. Also, the Princess choses him over the Villain

towards the end of the video, which is another clear indication that he is the Hero, as normally good triumphs evil.

We know that the woman in the video is the Princess, because she is very beautiful and comes across as kind.

However, you could say that she is also the Villain, as she seems to flirt with both the guitarist and the monkey,

which is something you’d expect a desperate, nasty, stuck-up teenager to do.

We know that the monkey is the Villain, because he is very bossy, rude and nasty, especially towards the band

members (in particular; the guitarist for obvious reasons).

LEVI STRAUSS

The main theme throughout this video is GOOD & BAD. This is shown through the guitarist and the monkey

battling over the Princess. Also, the fact the band are fighting against the monkeys throughout the whole video,

eventually resulting in the guitarist destroying the stage, is quite entropic. You would not expect to see man and

primate fighting against each other – especially not while filming a music video.

The winner at the end of the video is unclear. In my opinion I think it is the guitarist because he takes control

and destroys the stage, but you could say that the bad side has won; as they have managed to get to the guitarist

and upset him.

BARTHES

In this video I think that the codes that are used are; ENIGMA, SEMANTIC AND ACTION CODES.

The enigma code is clear because it is not completely understandable what is going on in the video, especially

to start off with (the monkeys telling the band what to do).

The action code comes mainly at the end; when things start heating up within the love triangle (the guitarist,

the woman and the monkey). When the guitarist destroys the stage, the audience get a bit excited because it is out

of the blue and the special effects (exploding lights) add to the tension.

The semantic code is making us look deeper into the narrative. For example; I think that the reason that all of

the music video crew are being show as monkeys is because the band are comparing them to under-developed

primates who haven’t got much knowledge as humans. Which could also tell us that the band don’t think their

crew are as intelligent as they are, and that they like to make their own decisions.

TODOROV

I think that this music video does follow Todorov’s theory, because when we first see the band they are

rehearsing normally, then we find out that their crew are monkeys. The band then realise that the monkeys are

taking over and rebel. Things seem to be getting back on track (the guitarist seems to be getting close to the

woman), then the Villain tries once again to steal the girl, resulting in the new equilibrium; the guitarists losing

his temper and destroying the stage.

YOUR SONG

Ellie Goulding

PROPP

In this video it is unclear what general characters are used. I personally think that Ellie Goulding is the

Princess singing about how wonderful her Hero is, and how happy he makes her. However, some people may

think that she is singing this about her Prince and she is actually the Hero; as it could work both ways. There are

no other characters in the video (apart from a kitten and occasionally getting a glimpse of another girl). Ellie (the

artist) is clearly the main character and focus, as she is rarely out of shot, this means that that artist is being

promoted incredibly well; which is a common convention of a music video.

BARTHES

The code used in this video is the ENIGMA CODE.

We know this is used because, although she is talking about wonderful the man she loves is, we never see him

or have any idea who he might be. This makes us want to know more or keeps us guessing.

Throughout the video, Ellie looks into the camera or aside to the camera as if she is looking at him, but again

we never see him. It just makes us think that he is around.

BARTHES

The SYMBOLIC CODE is also used; she is portrayed as an everyday girl, you would expect to see walking

down the street. Which is a massive contrast to who she actually is! She wears normal everyday clothes, plays with

a kitten, goes for walks and spends time with friends; this is quite different to how you would imagine a successful

recording artist to be like.