Development: Applying Media Theories

We wanted to use our knowledge of certain media theories and incorporate them into our music video. We had developed the 'crazed-fan' narrative; when filming this footage we wanted to remain aware of 'Reception Theory' - the idea that our text would be open to interpretation amongst the audience. This meant our shots contributed to an abstract narrative - 'why is this character burning images of the band?; 'who is she?'; 'what is she capable of?'; these questions that our polysemic text was asking with the help of the camera and constructed mise-en-scene, were ways to engage and confront the audience.

Indeed, the fact this character was burning props, shown in dark lighting, and generally being portrayed as 'different', meant that we were following the generic conventions of Vladmir Propp's 'chracter functions'; the 'stalker' was being portrayed as an antagonist to the band - who were portrayed as having fun as well as being in a lighter and therefore brighter set; therefore the band was the protagonists in this abstract open-ended narrative.

Further, the fact that we had created these characters with their own respective 'character function's, helped enforce the abstract 'cycle of equilibrium' - the 'stalker' was disrupting the equilibrium by being menacing and a potential threat/mystery to the band.

Evidently, by using our knowledge of Media Theory, we were ensuring that we were
applying the conventions of a media text to our work, to help make an enjoyable music video for our target audience.