Narrative Theorists

Media TheoristsRosie BetteridgeVladimir Propp Character TypesPropp introduced the concept of eight character types:Hero ProtagonistVillain AntagonistPrincess The object of the questFalse Hero Villain pretending to be moralDonor Prepares the hero and/or offers a magical substanceFather Sets the task for the hero and establishes roles of charactersDispatcher Character who sends the hero on their quest and identifies evilHelper (magical) Character who assists the hero

We will use Propps theory to help us portray the roles that we are attempting to show. In our music video, the characters we will be using are the father role which is that traditional father pressuring his son into traditional values. Also, the protagonist will be identified as a false hero due to him being in denial of his sexuality and acting like someone hes not. He will also be the princess because he is the object of the other males desire.Gramsci - HegemonyGramsci presented his idea of hegemony, this is how people in power maintain their power. Dominant ideology considered hegemonic is the power in society that is maintained by constructing ideologies that are promoted by mass media.Another form of hegemony is cultural hegemony:This is the dominance of one social group over another. Consisting of the ruling class being seen to be normal. Manipulating culture in society in order to present their views as common sense. This is due to the ruling class not being able to rule through force alone.

In our music video we are going against Gramsci's theory of hegemony. We are rejecting the dominant ideology of heterosexuality and therefore normalizing gay rights. We will be representing the gay community through the use of visuals.Todorov Narrative TheoryTodorov suggested that most story lines follow the same narrative pattern:Equilibrium: The neutral beginning .Disruption: Interference of the narrative.Realisation: Everyone begins to notice that there is a problem.Restored order: An attempt to repair the problem.Equilibrium again: The problem is resolved but there is now a new equilibrium which starts off a new narrative.

Our music video will essentially be following Todorovs narrative theory because the beginning will consist of the homosexual male being unsure about his sexuality. There will be a disruption which consists of the traditional family attempting to pressure him into following the norms and values that they believe is correct. The realisation is the protagonist realising his true sexuality. This leads on to the restored order consisting of him attempting to fix the relationship with the other male. Finally, finishing with both of them accepting their relationship.Andrew Goodwin Seven RulesGoodwin introduced the seven key rules of music videos:Links between visuals and lyricsLinks between visuals and musicGenre characteristics: Depicted as certain codes, conventions and iconography.Notion of looking (Voyeurism): The idea of gaze and how artists are seen.Demands of a record label: Star image, visuals and styles that reoccur. Performance, narrative or concept basedIntertextuality: Making reference to existing products.

Our music video will be conforming to the majority of Goodwin's rules although demands of a record label will not be relevant within our video because Canopy Climbers are an unsigned group. We will correlate both the lyrics and music with the visuals through the use of analysis. The music video will be both narrative and concept based.Richard Dyer Star TheoryStar theory is the idea that the persona or icon that is manufactured by the music industry is used for financial gain.

This theory is irrelevant to our product because Canopy Climbers are an unsigned band which has a limited amount of media recognition and representation meaning that they dont obtain a constructed iconography.