Film and Music Video Theories

Osamede Okuoimse

Feminist Theory • The Male GazeThis refers to the film makers censoring what we see.The creator construct meaning to the film or music video, therefore our view or gaze is limited.For example: Hip-hop/dance videosThere is a sense of scopophilia – this is where a notion of looking at other people’s bodies as objects.In hip-hop/dance videos women are presented as passive sexual objects to men in the music video and audiences.This achieved by the point of view shot/ shot reverse shotMale actor = what male audience see.

• Role of women in a music video = The princess (or sought for person)

Marxist Theory• The Boss GazeHollywood, artist record label show you what they want you to see. Shot reverse shot = institutional mode of representation.

So to overthrow this there needs to be no logical filming this allows the audience to decide what to make of it.

e.g. Lev Kuleshow - juxtaposingThis where two unrelated image could convey separate meanings. This allows the images to tell the story therefore protagonist is removed.

Psychoanalytic Theory • Levi-Strauss – Binary oppositionsThis refers to exploring two sides which are opposites.e.g. hot and cold, old and new, near and far

The character’s motivation • The id, superego and the ego = personality is composed of these three

elements.

• SurrealismThis refers to the idea that music videos can mean anything and something that it is unexpected. There is no relationship between the visuals and the lyrics. E.g. dreams