In this analysis of the video Writings on the wall, I will be assessing the use of genre, narrative, representation and audience. Writings on the wall was written by Plan B an was released in 2010.
Genre
The clear genre that is shown in the video is pop and drama, this is because the artist himself has a genre of pop and jazz. This is shown as the video starts off being set in a jazz club, with the artist performing his song. This is shown as he is performing with a live band, giving it the jazz feel. Location is used quite a lot in this video as it includes, in the club, at a house, in a different after party club, in a lift and in a hotel room. The range of locations could connote the mess and confusion of the relationship.
Narrative
Throughout the video, there is a clear theme of love. This is evident as there is a female protagonist that is shown to be married to the male artist, as in the video she is cooking him dinner, getting excited to see him and saying 'I love you' on the phone. This starts to crumble when the male artist goes out after his performance and sees a younger female, the antagonist, and has a one night stand. Leaving the partner trying to ring him and sitting at home alone. This narrative links to the structure of Todorov's narrative theory, the equilibrium, stages 2 and 3, as there is a recognisable disruption with the artist having a one night stand and not contacting his partner. With the stage 3 being no attempt to repair, as the artist doesn't go back home and stays out with the other female. This also has links to Propps theory, as the false hero would be the male artist, due to him starting off as positive and then becomes negative for the viewers. The female protagonist was also be described as the princess as she is innocent and should be what the hero works for. The lyrics, as Andrew Goodwin states, does have a relationship with the visuals. This is when the artist sings 'it ain't over', as the partner doesn't know about the affair, but will still be with him. The artist also sings 'we used to talk, now all we do is shout', this gives the audience the idea that the relationship was already breaking before the one night stand, and that's what made him do it.
Representation
There are very clear representations of gender evident throughout, these being stereotypical. The female protagonist is represented as domestic, as she is at home and cooking dinner for the male. This is stereotypical as, typically females shouldn't have to work but do the house work for the male. Showing the female to be responsible and mature. The way they present the male, is also stereotypical as he is shown to be professional, being at work, as a performer. From this video, the male is shown to be irresponsible, as he goes out and gets drunk, leading him to cheat on his partner. Representations of age is also shown briefly, as the antagonist is a younger female who sleeps with the make artist. This presents the female to the audience as immature, which is stereotypical, as she knows he is an older man.
The artist Plan B, is represented in a different way within this video, as he plays a man called Strickland Banks, whom is a fictional character. At the very start of the video it shows this name up in lights, with a sold out notice. This immediately tells the audience this character is successful, popular and going to be liked by many people, including women. This then backs up the idea of him having an affair, as he would get a lot of attention from women.
Audience
Overall, this target audience would be between 17-30 as this is of a more mature narrative. As it involves a adultery action with the main artist, breaking down his partner. This wouldn't be understood by a younger audience and could relate to what may be happening at home and affect them negatively. The song also involves a deeper meaning that a younger audience wouldn't understand and therefore wouldn't be successful as they wouldn't take interest.
From doing this textual analysis, I am able to look at the deeper meaning of a music video and what they are trying to put across to the audience. I can use these as references and get my music video as best as possible.
Genre
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| in the jazz club |
The clear genre that is shown in the video is pop and drama, this is because the artist himself has a genre of pop and jazz. This is shown as the video starts off being set in a jazz club, with the artist performing his song. This is shown as he is performing with a live band, giving it the jazz feel. Location is used quite a lot in this video as it includes, in the club, at a house, in a different after party club, in a lift and in a hotel room. The range of locations could connote the mess and confusion of the relationship.
Narrative
Throughout the video, there is a clear theme of love. This is evident as there is a female protagonist that is shown to be married to the male artist, as in the video she is cooking him dinner, getting excited to see him and saying 'I love you' on the phone. This starts to crumble when the male artist goes out after his performance and sees a younger female, the antagonist, and has a one night stand. Leaving the partner trying to ring him and sitting at home alone. This narrative links to the structure of Todorov's narrative theory, the equilibrium, stages 2 and 3, as there is a recognisable disruption with the artist having a one night stand and not contacting his partner. With the stage 3 being no attempt to repair, as the artist doesn't go back home and stays out with the other female. This also has links to Propps theory, as the false hero would be the male artist, due to him starting off as positive and then becomes negative for the viewers. The female protagonist was also be described as the princess as she is innocent and should be what the hero works for. The lyrics, as Andrew Goodwin states, does have a relationship with the visuals. This is when the artist sings 'it ain't over', as the partner doesn't know about the affair, but will still be with him. The artist also sings 'we used to talk, now all we do is shout', this gives the audience the idea that the relationship was already breaking before the one night stand, and that's what made him do it.
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| Younger female |
Representation
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| male artist drinking |
Audience
Overall, this target audience would be between 17-30 as this is of a more mature narrative. As it involves a adultery action with the main artist, breaking down his partner. This wouldn't be understood by a younger audience and could relate to what may be happening at home and affect them negatively. The song also involves a deeper meaning that a younger audience wouldn't understand and therefore wouldn't be successful as they wouldn't take interest.
From doing this textual analysis, I am able to look at the deeper meaning of a music video and what they are trying to put across to the audience. I can use these as references and get my music video as best as possible.
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