How useful are the ideas about narrative in analysing music videos?

I believe that the narrative within a music video is important as it is a structuralist approach, that gives the audience an understanding of the story line which is organized around a particular theme and space.

The theorist Todorov looks into the narrative theory and how all narratives should follow a structure of a beginning equilibrium (start), a disruption (middle) and a new equilibrium (end). This also links with Freytag’s Pyramid, outlining the 7 steps in successful storytelling: exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, resolution and denouement.

Interestingly, every film/music video will have this narrative structure, but not all in the same order. Looking at the music video ghost town, It starts with the band driving along the road, set in east London, giving off a ghostly atmosphere. This is a equilibrium of the film, giving us the introduction and exposure of the characters. If we think about Roland Barthes theory of proairetic and hermeneutic codes, this equilibrium shows proairetic codes, as it involves action and movement, as they are travelling in the car, moving around the London. The disruption shows the band suddenly drive out of control, representing the employment state, and how it has become a large problem, as unemployment rates in the UK were rising significantly. For the new equilibrium of the music video, it shows the band throwing rocks along the water on the beach, representing the calmness that has been resonated, and how everything has returned back to normal, suggesting the economic state has retuned back to normal. We could argue that the new equilibrium of the music video shows hermeneutic codes, as it shows them reflecting on what’s happened to the economic state of London.

Another theorist who looks into narrative structures, is Vladimir prop. He focuses on character types and functions, suggesting that stories use stock characters to structure stories: hero, helper, princess, villain, victim, dispatcher, father and false hero. In Commons music video “Letter to the free”, I believe that the protagonist of the music video ie, singer (Common) is presented as a dispatcher, as he conveys information to the audience about black culture and the legacy of slavery. In conclusion, he communicates the message that black lives matter. Linking back to Roland Barthes theory, this music video appears to communicate hermeneutic codes, as it is a lyrical song that gives a dialogue, as he speaks from his lyrics and reflects with the films theme, discussing the third amendment to the U.S.

Finally, another theorist, Seymour Chatman, studies satellites, which are key moments in the plot, and kernels, which are the shots in the media that could be removed, and the overall meaning would not be disturbed. In reference to “The Ghost Town”, the satellites would be anything from the type of vehicle that was used for the shoot, or the outlifts that was worn. If they changed these features, there won’t be a big impact on the music video, as it doesn’t completely change the main message. Alternatively, the kernels within the music video would be the dark, wide shots, as it gives the gloomy atmosphere of the video, which links with the title “The Ghost Town”. Without the gloomy scenery and atmosphere, the visual features of the music video wouldn’t make sense with the lyrics of the song.

So, linking back to the question, narrative is important when analysing music videos, as it allows the audience to capture the perceptions and messages the media is trying to convey.

How useful are ideas about narrative in analysing music videos refer to “Ghost Town” and “Letter To The free”

Music videos can convey a lot more subtle and or powerful messages that other forms of communication can’t. We can understand these messages and signs a lot better, by using narrative theories ideas to analyze music videos, past just the surface signs and styles. 

There are many theories about narrative that could apply to the videos, such as; Claude Levi-Strauss (Binary Oppositions), Tztevan Todorov (Tripartite narrative structure) and Seymour Chatman (Satellites & Kernels). I chose these theories as I felt they were the most relevant to the case studies.

In ‘letter to the free’ the use nice camera work that supports narrative structures such as Freytag’s Pyramid. from beginning ,middle, and end, the camera starts by getting closer to the musicians and singer creating close up shots which are typically used for emphasizing emotion till it passes the climax of the song, and then start panning back out of the prison. this can be interpreted as the journey to freedom out of the prison.

Now relating to Seymond’s theory of satellites and kernels we can understand the important elements behind the music video ‘letter to the free’. The kernels in the letter to the free music videos, I think are subtle but help massively in giving the music video real meaning, and giving the message behind the video, a solid base to really define it. So even though the signs are subtle, they are kernels in my opinion. Examples would be the setting being in a prison, the use of black and white filtering used for the whole video. Since the saying “ seeing in balck and white’ was meant to say a message was seen as only facts, nothing else’. So by using black and white filtering over there music video whilst singing their lyrics about black history and black injustice i think this is a brilliant way to define the message to tell people you can interpret this any other way, this is the truth. And the use of the black box which wasn’t the clearest sign from seeing it the first-time.Viewers could still understand the surface signs of the box transitioning from a prison to an outside pleasant scenery, showing freedom in the meadow. Some examples of satellites in this video would have been the basketball hoop in the background of some of shots, or the shots of the drummer.

Using now Tztevan Todorov (Tripartite narrative structure) that there are clear shows rising of climax or the disturbance of equilibrium and equilibrium. this is shown from the start as the band members are in the car and driving normally through the city whilst sing, with no disturbance till you get further through the song,  the break of equilibrium is shown by the the car swerving left to right in fast short shots, as the band start to act crazier and crazier. This could be interpreted as a tell towards the rapid increase of unemployment through the country, and the upset around the country. The new equilibrium finishes with a wide shot of the band throwing stone into the river. Now i think this is a good way to end the music video, as it symbolizes the youth as a whole and in my opinion shows some binary opposition of the youth against the county, rebelling back to the government who caused so much unemployment.

 There is also evidence of narrative structure in ‘Letter to the free’ From the start of the music video you see a black box floating in a boxed grey room said by the artist to represent “the infinite thing about blackness and blackness can’t be defined in time or space.” and transitions to another scene in the prison as the climax of the video is happening and then transitions to a new setting in a meadow meant to symbolise freedom, the opposite to the prison it began in prison. Therefor new equilibrium.

“Ghost town” and the theory of binary opposition you can see the sides of the good and bad being used and the song itself is about how In the 1980’s, England experienced a recession in the industrial workplace, and left a lot of the country unemployed. so by knowing that, and quoting the lyrics stating

“Why must the youth fight against themselves? 

Government leaving the youth on the shelf’

That we can prove the Specials are pointing out how the british government is the opposition. Even though the video doesn’t show this, it’s a point to be considered as a deeper meaning in the video. 

How useful are ideas about narrative in analysing music videos? Refer to the close study products ‘Ghost Town’ and ‘Letter to the Free’ in your answer. (9 marks)

The idea of Narrative Theory can be very relevant when referring to music videos, as many tend to fall into a certain theory. In general, music videos aim to either tell a story or make a point. In the case of the music videos for ‘Ghost Town’ and ‘Letter to the Free’, the videos do not necessarily link with Todrov’s tripartite narrative structure and don’t have a clear beginning middle and end, however, they do link with some aspects of narrative theory. 

In ‘Ghost Town’, the main aim of both the song and the video, were to express the problems that were happening in society in the early 1980’s during Margret Thatcher’s time as Prime Minister. Although the video doesn’t have a clear beginning middle and end, it does include Kernels and Satellites. Kernels are the features of the music video that are vital to ensure the song and video make sense. Without Kernels, the whole thing would be irrelevant and no message would be put across. Alternatively, the satellites in a music video are the features that are not essential and could be removed with no impact to the story. They are used for embellishment and therefore can be adapted. The kernels of this video are the panoramic shots of the city and its empty and desolate streets. Without this scenery and gloomy feel, the images would not match up with the lyrics of the song. The lyrics ‘this town is looking like a ghost town’ wouldn’t make sense with a shot of the streets bustling with people, therefore, the kernel in this video is the empty streets. The satellites in the video are small things like the outfits the band members are wearing. Their outfit choice doesn’t make much difference to the message and therefore is a satellite.

On the other hand, in Common’s ‘Letter to the Free’, there is very few examples of narrative structure in the music video, as there is no clear story line. Instead the video is simple and every figure in the video is either a member of the band or a singer. They are aiming to portray the message that Common wants to get across about the issues surrounding racial injustice in the USA. Racism is still, to this day, a huge problem throughout the world. Black people are treated unfairly and Common aims to address this issue in his song. Jacques Lacan talks about the mirror stage of child development. He says ‘we cannot actually see ourselves as whole, we use a reflection to understand who we are / who we are not.’ This theory can link to Commons Letter to the Free because Common wants the audience to take something away from his message and to learn more about racism. Even thought the music video is not giving a clear story line, it does send a message. Because the video is set in a prison, this gives a poignant and eary feel to the video which helps to send a message.

To conclude, in some ways it is possible to link narrative theory to music videos, as in general, those videos aim to tell some sort of story, and often do follow Todrov’s tripartite structure with a clear beginning, middle and end, however this is not always the case and sometimes there is no clear structure (like Letter to the Free). Letter to the free does show however, that a tripartite structure is not always necessary when creating a narrative in order to send a message.

Syncretism, double consciousness & hybridisation

mechanisms for understanding cross-cultural identities.

Separation, duality.

W.E.B Du Bois suggests that we have a double consciousness, which means we have an internal conflict.

QUOTES:

For many, the wider social, political, historical and cultural contexts are not just clearly connected to media studies but they are in some ways more important.

“I’ve always said you can’t understand the world without the media nor the media without the world” (Professor Natalie Fenton, quoted in Fake news vs Media Studies J. McDougall

“I do spend long periods of time with my gaze turned away from the media, because I’m seeking to understand what’s going on out there, and then the role of the media in that context. I’m always putting the social, the political and the economic (contexts) first.” (ibid) p.17 2019, Palgrave)

• War of the worlds an invasion of Fascism on the eve of WW2

• Letter to the Free – provocative campaign – Black life matters – Post Colonialism

How Useful are ideas about narrative in analysing music videos? Refer to Close study products “Ghost Town” and “Letter to the Free” in your answer. [12 marks] 

Narrative theories are useful for analysing music videos because they act as stories designed around the music that are featured in the videos. Music videos usually contain a story that has a beginning, middle, and end, or equilibrium, disruption, and new equilibrium as it is described in Todorov’s theory of tripartite narrative structure. Todorov’s theory shows the way a narrative usually plays out with something that disrupts the equilibrium the story started with which causes conflict that the protagonist and other characters must deal with to reintroduce a new equilibrium in which the characters return to normalcy. The music video for “Letter to the free” by Common follows this narrative structure where at the start of the video a mysterious black shape is interned in prison, representing the mass incarceration of minorities in the USA, but as the video progresses and the disruption of institutional racism is fought against, the black shape is now shown outside, representing it’s obtainment of freedom. However, the world is presented as inverted, showing either that this is an event that is not occurring in real life but is more of a dream because the conflict has not been dealt with yet, or that the shape has indeed gained freedom but it’s struggle is not over because of the racism that it has to deal with from other people instead of institutions, suggesting that a new equilibrium has not yet been reached, subverting the traditional narrative structure. The narrative is relevant to the music video because it is a protest song against institutional racism that is present in the USA and the narrative shows the effects of these systems on black people in the USA today. 

Another narrative theory is Levi-Strauss’ theory of binary opposites which posits that narratives are based around binary oppositions because of how they allow for the audience to connect with the story as well as allowing the creator of the story to frame events and justify viewpoints. From this, the dominant ideologies of societies were formed, and narratives can be viewed as either reactionary (supporting or adhering to the dominant ideology) or radical (opposing or questioning the dominant ideology). The music video for the specials’ song “Ghost Town” is a radical narrative that presents a sense of fear for the future of Britain during the 1980’s, a period of unrest and poverty in the country. The music video presents this by showing binary opposites of the reality observable at the time, with empty streets and lonely roads of a usually bustling city showing how the disruption to the equilibrium of life could lead to a far worse new equilibrium of loneliness and doom. 

Vladimir Propp proposed the idea that stories often use similar stock characters like the hero, villain, victim and others to provide familiar narrative structures. This is because stories have evolved from folk tales that often-featured similar characters such as heroes who fought against evil (also incorporating the theory of binary oppositions). These stock characters can be seen in Common’s “Letter to the Free” music video with the minorities portraying the victim, oppressed by the villain of systemic racism and the prison that they are trapped inside. The heroes are presented as the same minority population that also receives aid from the helper, which is people like Common, featured raising awareness of the systemic racism with his music. While Letter to the Free sticks to a traditional storytelling formula by using stock characters, Ghost Town’s music video is more abstract and does not show many characters which makes it harder to apply Propp’s character types and function theory. The villain can be seen as the disruption to the equilibrium that is causing the streets to be emptied and lonely, while the hero is unclear, as the band in the video do not “fight” the villain or attempt to stop it, adding to the uneasiness and fear present in the video and song. 

Narrative structures can also be subverted or altered by a narrative not conforming to the overall structural theories of how stories are constructed. For example, since most films, music videos and TV shows do not play out in real time, elements of the story are taken out, employing elision or ellipsis. This can be seen in Ghost Town, as the band’s entire journey is not displayed, but instead the audience are shown a sort of highlight reel of the band driving through different parts of empty streets and performing to the camera. This is done to cut out segments of time in the video that would consist of the audience waiting in real time. Flashbacks and flash-forwards are similar –they jump backwards or forwards in time to break the linear sequence often before then returning to the main linear narrative. The Letter to the free music video portrays two parallel narratives of both the mysterious black box and common along with others performing music in otherwise empty prison cells which run simultaneous to each other. This alters Freytag’s pyramid, a visual representation of the beginning, middle and end narrative structure by introducing another story that is switched between during the video. This is similar to the film memento, which executes this same parallel narrative structure also. In these cases, instead of Freytag’s pyramid being represented as a pyramid with a low stake start with an inciting incident, a climax in the middle, followed by a denouement that leads to the new equilibrium, it can be represented as a sort of fish hook, with two narratives playing parallel two each other which both lead to the same climax.   

These music video shows that narrative theory can be applied to music videos and that narrative theory is a useful way of analysing music videos in a media context. Music like Letter to the Free and Ghost Town comment on current social and political issues and their videos add narrative to this commentary that allows the audience to further connect to the songs and the messages they convey. For audiences without knowledge of the social and political contexts, the music videos can provide information through their narrative to the audience. Also, narrative theories are useful to apply to any narrative medium to better understand it and it’s context, and music videos are no different, as they often contain narratives that either follow or subvert narrative theories. 

• The film begins with Leonard shooting Teddy – the climax of his quest for vengeance. The main question facing Leonard is ‘Who killed his wife?’ and ‘How can he find him to take revenge?’ These questions seem to be answered in the first five minutes – so what enigmas are created for the audience as the plot moves (backwards in time)? How are these enigmas answered? Are the answers stable (i.e. are the undermined by what we discover later)?
• If you had to plot this narrative – what shape would it take? Think about direction and shape ie Freytag’s pyramid. Can you draw out a schematic representation (ie a drawing) of this narrative structure?

“I’ve always said you can’t understand the world without the media nor the media without the world” (Professor Natalie Fenton, quoted in Fake news vs Media Studies J. McDougall p.17 2019, Palgrave)

“I do spend long periods of time with my gaze turned away from the media, because I’m seeking to understand what’s going on out there, and then the role of the media in that context. I’m always putting the social, the political and the economic (contexts) first.” (ibid)

war of the worlds – looking at 1970s – looking at the context of fashionsism

hidden figures – looking at the debates of the world

common letter to the free – about black lives matter

ghost town –

post colonialism = letter to the free + ghost town

Narrative means a story that has a beginning middle and end, in moving images (such as music videos) the narrative can either tell the same thing as the lyrics/words or it can tell a completely different story through the moving images. Narratives don’t have to be in chronological order and make sense, they can go back and forth between shots and show flashbacks and flashforward’s.

There are 5 main narrative theorists: Todorov proposed that there was an equilibrium, disruption that then balances to make a new equilibrium. Freytag proposed that you can draw your narrative (almost like a rollercoaster). Propp proposed that each story has a set of stock characters eg the villain and the hero. Levi-Strauss proposed that narratives play out binary opposition. Chatman proposed that everything in a narrative works together so if you take one thing out then the story wouldn’t work / play out the same.

You can use Todorov’s theory to analyse narrative in music videos because the narratives in music videos always have a conflict and a resolution. For example in common’s letter to the free (soundtrack to the 13^th about the abolishment of slavery) The black square is a metaphor showing how the black community is trapped in an ideology that is widely believed by the majority of white Americans, at the end of the video the solution is the square being outside and not being trapped in that building any more. Freytag’s theory can be used to analyse Ghost town, for example you can draw where there’s a climax in the piece, eg when you see everyone in the car cramped together.

Another example to use to describe narrative theory is the film Momento, you can use freytag’s theory to analyse this film, you can say that you can draw Momento as a hair pin (present and past), parallel to each other, so the narrative is fragmented switching between the 2 time frames, making a very confusing story for the audience. The film starts with the ending almost like a circular narrative, however, part of the story is behind the hair pin shape not being shown, and the 2 parallels come together at the end showing the connection between the two, leaving the audience to fill in the the gaps and take what they have found out to be the alleged ‘truth’ and make their own ending in their head for what makes sense to them.

To conclude ideas about narrative are useful in analysing music videos because you can see why a video was carried out in a certain way and why it was made how it was made, you can see how they put it together so it follows a story rather than just looking like a lot of shots just pieced together. It’s important for moving image to tell a story and be smooth unless the purpose is to look crazy and out of place to get the audience thinking about why it was done like that.

• what life is like now
• linked to media, film ,communication studies etc…
• memento – complicated and fragmentary set of inter-relationships
• momento – pastiche (detective story), postmodernism does this as a new version so it’s different to similar stories
• preoccupation with visual style
• loss of metanarrative (we don’t know the full story of leonard/momento)
• momento – leonard isn’t able to distinguish fiction form reality