My Creative Journey, September 30th

Throughout September I have been conducting detailed research into existing products and the qualities a music video must have. I have learnt that there are many different types of narrative that my music video could have. In want my music video to have an element of performance and a narrative element as it is conventional of the genre. Whilst analysing other music videos I have learnt that if the song changes tempo the speed of the cuts change throughout. The song my video will be performed to increases in tempo until again calming at the end, this means my style of editing must change as the video goes on. Also I've learnt that colour in music videos are important and can show representation. I want my music video to be colourful to show happiness and to represent the gay rights flag.

Loving Someone Mindmap

Planning Mindmap

Production Schedule

September 2017	During September I will research into existing products to begin the development for my own project.
September 2017	I will storyboard my music video to ensure I know what to film shot for shot.
10th October 2017	Begin filming for my music video on locations in Birmingham and Tamworth.
11th October 2017	Resume filming in Tamworth locations.
15th October	Research into existing print products.
20th October	Pitch my music video and begin editing my footage for my music video.
20th November	Create my own print products.

Andrew Goodwin and his Music Video Narrative Theory

Music Video Narrative

Andrew Goodwin’s three theories of narrative structure in music videos:

Illustration:

The illustration theory is when the lyrics of a song are directly acted out or shown in the music video. This is often used in pop music in which they have a high-performance element and large elements of choreography and dance. An example of a music video using the illustration theory is Beyoncé, If I Were A Boy. The narrative follows the life of the artist as if she were to live as a man often coinciding with the lyrics directly.

Amplification:

The amplification theory often finds a deeper meaning to the lyrics of the song and acting out or displaying them in the narrative. These music videos often have an artistic element. They often try to emphasise the lyrics instead of showing them directly. An example of this is Telephone by Lady Gaga, this video has a high-performance element but begins to form a narrative around the artist being imprisoned. This displays the artists belief of being trapped in a controlling relationship although the lyrics never say this directly as it is an upbeat pop song but a serious subject.

Disjuncture:

The disjuncture theory shows a completely unrelated narrative to the lyrics of the song. This is often used in indie/ alternative music videos to give light to a current social or moral debate. An example of a music video using the disjuncture theory is The 1975, A Change Of Heart. The lyrics of the song discusses emotionally the beginnings and demise of a relationship. Along with this in the video we see two clowns dancing at a fair ground.  

Narrative Theorists

Narrative Structure and Theory

Vladimir Propp

Vladimir Propp was a Russian literary critic and theorist. He founded the theory that all characters can be fit into ever narrative based on their specific roles. He did this by analysing 100s of Russian fairy tales in the 1920s. His theory has shaped many writers and producers who fit their narratives to his theory. Propp suggested there are eight character types in evert narratives, these are:

·        The villain- opposition to the hero.

·        The dispatcher- sends the hero on his quest and makes the villain known.

·        The helper- helps the hero in his quest.

·        The princess/ prize- often to be rescued at the end of the quest by the hero. Villain usually stands in the way of the hero’s prize.

·        Her Father- gives the task to the hero, often sought to for guidance through the narrative.

·        The donor- Gives the hero help/ magical object.

·        The hero- sent on the quest and saves the princess.

·        False hero- takes credit for the hero’s actions.

Appling the theory to a modern narrative- The Hunger Games

·         The hero- Katniss Everdeen

·         The villain- President Snow and the government

·         The donor- Haymitch who provides Katniss with physical things to help her in the Hunger games

·         The helper- Peter joins Katniss on her journey and aids her to victory

·         The princess- there are two different theories about who could be the princess in the Hunger Games. One is that it is Katniss’s sister who she takes her place in the games. The other is that by saving herself she is the princess

·         The dispatcher- Also has multiples theories. President snow can be seen has the dispatcher as he arranges the games. Other believe maybe it is district 13 who are the reason for the games. Also Katniss’s sister who Katniss replaced in the games

·         The false hero is ignored in this narrative but replaced by many false villains

Tzvetan Todorov

Todorov is a Bulgarian literary theorist who suggests that all narrative can be fit into a structure of five parts based around equilibrium. This model can be applied to a wide range of texts and narratives over time.

1.     Equilibrium- most characters are happy and content

2.     A disruption- something will disrupt the equilibrium of the narrative

3.     Realisation- chaotic part of the narrative in which everyone addresses the problem

4.     Restored order- the characters attempt to repair the damage made in the disruption

5.     Equilibrium- Normality is restored again

Appling the theory to a modern narrative- The Simpsons Movie

1.     The Simpsons family are carrying on with family life and Homor is doing chores.

2.     Springfield is put into a dome and Homor buys a pig.

3.     The Simpsons family are forced to move out of Springfield.

4.     The Simpsons family return to Springfield to save them.

5.     The Simpsons save Springfield and the dome is blown away.

Roland Barthes

Barthes was a French semiologist, he created many theories used in the media industry. His narrative theory suggests that films have five different codes to help the reader understand it.

1.     The Hermeneutic/ Enigma code- The narrative does not tell the full story but gives clues throughout to create mystery.

2.     The Proairetic/ Action code- cumulative actions to create a plot.

3.     Semantic code- By way of connotation additional meaning is added to the plot.

4.     Symbolic code- Uses contrast to (similar to semantic code) show greater meaning to the narrative.

5.     Cultural code- uses a certain sector of society for the audience to recognise.

Appling the theory to modern narrative

1.       Hermeneutic code- Reservoir Dogs, uses its non-linear narrative to unveil a series of mysteries.

2.     Proairetic code- Hitchcock builds tension using scenes of action in films like Psycho and Rope.

3.     Semantic code- This is used in Frozen when Elsa runs away suggesting she feels separate to everyone else.

4.     Symbolic code- The mask is used in the film Scream as a symbol of danger, when the audience see’s this they know to expect bad things to happen.

5.     Cultural code- An example being Goodfellas showing the culture of gang life.

Clause Levi-Strauss

Levi-Strauss studies myths of tribal cultures and studies how the myths had morals of the culture. He expressed these in the form of binary oppositions and they have been researched by modern media theorists. Some common binary oppositions are:

1.     Good/ Evil

2.     Male/ Female

3.     Democracy/ Dictatorship

4.     Young/ Old

5.     Peace/ War

Appling the theory to modern narrative- Harry Potter

1.       Good/ Evil

2.       Young/ Old

3.       Muggle/ Wizard

4.       Innocence/ Corruption

5.       Life/ Death

Narrative Structure

Open Narrative:

An open narrative is one in which still leaves questions at the end of the narrative. Open narratives are usually in chronological order however throughout have no foreseeable ending and lots of characters. A common example of an open narrative is soap opera such as Coronation Street or EastEnders. An example of open narrative in film is Black Swan (2010) in which we are left not knowing whether Nina is dead or alive.

Closed Narrative:

A closed narrative is when the story is concluded at the end and all questions are answered. Most feature length films usually have a closed narrative. An example of a closed narrative film is Notting Hill (1999) in which the story ends showing the two main characters in the future getting married and having children.

Linear Narrative:

A linear narrative follows a story in chronological order (linear meaning straight line). This often makes films easier to follows however can be spread over long time periods. An example of a linear film spread over a long time is Bridget Jones Diary (2001) which takes place over a year. Mamma Mia (2008) is also a linear film but takes place over only two days.

Non-linear Narrative:

A Non-linear narrative does not follow chronological order in the telling of a story. Probably the most famous example of this is Pulp Fiction (1994) which uses a non-linear narrative to introduce the audience to each character, Quentin Tarantino uses this is many of his films although some do believe it makes films confusing and difficult to follow.  

Realist Narrative:

Realist narrative depicts the life of a certain sector of society, realism is often embellished or exaggerated to really hit home with an audience and demonstrate the struggles in society for some. Realist narratives often follow the lives of societies lower classes such as This is England (2006) displaying the lives of a family of skinheads in the midlands.

Anti-realist Narrative:

An anti-realist narrative shows a story with impossible, unrealistic elements like most sci-fi and horror films. Doctor Who is an excellent example of an anti-realist narrative as the time travel television show has been running for thirty six series.