Music Video Theories

 

 

Barthes: Enigma/Action Codes -

 

A good example of enigma and action codes within a music video is Coldplay's 'The Scientist. This promo uses this theory as within the promo there is a narrative and a enigma is created at the start of the promo as the artist is seen going in reverse, this raises questions about what might have happened the lyrics "Lets go back to the start" also add to this as it makes the audience think that something significant has happened and he wants to reverse what has happened. The fact that this whole music video is in reverse makes it more interesting as well as shows the link between the lyrics and what’s happening in the video. The reverse element creates the enigma code and also shows a story being told.

 

Levi-Strauss: Binary Opposition -

End credits by Chase and Status is a good example of a music video which demonstrates this theory. Chase and status has one clear binary opposition, between crime and police, throughout the entire music video there is trouble from the police towards the main actor and his friends.

The music video has been based around the two opposites and therefore adheres to this theory. The two opposites are shown clearly throughout the whole music video which tells us that it follows the theory. There is a clear contrast between good and bad which provides evidence for this theory. This is shown through the use of mise-en-scene as the lead singer is wearing a hoodie which is associated with criminals whereas the police in the first shots are shown to be wearing suits which makes them look smart in contrast to the singer's costume.

Screenshots analysis:

This is the first shot seen in the music promo, it is a mid shot showing the main actor who is also the lead singer. He is being represented as a criminal we know this from his costume as he is wearing a hoodie which is normally associated with gangs and criminals as it is a way of hiding your identity or conceal something. This would also be used to hide his face from the binary opposition which is the police. 

This next shot is a long shot which shows the lead singer standing towards the back of the room and a table with four people sat at it. We can tell that this is an interview room in a police station, this could connote that he is under interrogation from the police. The lighting also creates tension and adds to what's happening within the music promo. This shot also shows a contrast between criminals and the police which shows that this music video adheres to Levi-Strauss's theory of the binary opposition. Costume shows the opposition as there is a clear contrast between the lead singer's costume and what the police are wearing within the promo. We can tell that there is an opposition when we look at both sides costumes, the lead singer playing the bad side of the opposition is seen wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up and black trousers on. These colours are quite dull and this costume tends to be worn by people who are trying to hide their identity or don't have a lot of money to spend on suits etc.. Whereas the police are wearing suits which clearly shows the opposition as well as the clear contrast of the fact that they are more wealthy as they can afford to look nice compared to the lead singer.

This shot is a medium shot showing flames or some sort of disruption happening, it also shows that the police moving in to start more violence. The flames are the main focus of this shot as it proves that this music video adheres to this theory.

Laura Mulvey -