Applying narrative theory to my A2 coursework

As explained in previous blog posts, the concept of my music video is about the process of growing up. I am using the soundtrack 'Never Grow Up' by Taylor Swift to narrate my story. The basic narrative of my music video is the artist singing about how people take childhood for granted and she is seen with her 'younger self'.



My music video subverts many popular narrative structures. My product does not follow a clear, linear plot, nor have a clear-cut beginning, middle or end. However, Allan Cameron's theory can be applied to my product as the music video included found footage, such as baby videos, which can be described as anachronic. I have decided to use anachronic footage to show the comparison of the 'young' and 'old' artist and to show what the artist is reflecting on as she sings. It helps to reach my target audience because it is a personal side to the artist that is 'never seen before' footage which is exciting for the audience and emotionally connects with them. Although my music video is a mix between the artist being young and old, it doesn't follow a chronological structure.




The artist is showing



Claude Levi-Strauss can be applied to my music video. The artist and her younger self are binary oppositions representing old and young. This binary opposition can be seen as a representation of the symbolic code put forward by Roland Barthes. Although the characters are not in conflict with each other, the importance of the opposition is to show how things change and the differences that are made through the development of growing up. Although the characters are both seen spinning on a round-about, jumping, dancing and laughing, even similar costume, the obvious difference  is their physical build, as well as the younger character can be portrayed as naïve compared to the older character who is seen looking out onto the view, reflecting on her life. Jacques Derrida stated that binary oppositions are never equal and my music video shows how the artist is a lot more mature then her younger self with more emotion.



In conclusion, although my music video does contain elements of narrative, such as the use of binary oppositions to represent the meaning of growing up, it can be difficult to apply theories to media products like my own, as it does not follow a clear structure.