Representation in Music Videos 1

Representation of Masculinity: Men have to conform to traits and become this stereotype of strong, stoic, aggressive, dependable an not feminine. These values are hegemonic and competitive.

Homo-eroticism: sexual attraction between members of the same sex either male or female feel temporary desire

Representation of Femininity:

Women are hyper-sexualised in music videos. There are 2 discussion - 1 asserting femininity and sexuality to gain more money from male audience and narcissistic viewing.

2 the feminist view that it is damaging and problematic and its been made normal in today's society.  Laura Mulvey says that women are objectified for the male view and calls it the veil gaze.


Panic! at the Disco: Victorious




In this video by Panic! the stereotypical representations are both presented and challenged. 

• The video starts with Brandon Urie exhibiting traits of traditional masculinity, fighting and dominating another male character. It shows the hegemonic traits that society considers a man to be like. It further enforces as he is rewarded for his violence with alcohol and women dressed in bikinis that exist within the narrative as objects to be looked at.

High key lighting on the left side to create lenses flare.
Brendon is centrally framed ah he is the center of attention.
Unlike the males the women are equal to Brendon further emphasising the representations that have already been built.

• This is directly contrasted with the next few shots of him cry and heartbroken over a recent break up. Cry and showing general emotional weakness is generally consider as not masculine. He shows traits that would be more commonly connected with the female representation of women in the media as he as he even considers calling his ex. While this breaks the traditional representation, it also subtle enforces it as this all happens within his own home away from other people and he overcomes these emotions quickly and thus is rewarded for it.

Left of the frame, showing weakness and vulnerability.
Lamp lights the background while a larger light illuminates his face 
Plain clothing draws to gaze to the face as that is the most interesting part.

• The third women within the narrative it introduced represents traditional femininity as she is the love interest to Brendon Urie. Her traits are stereotypically feminine, elegantly dressed, subtle make up and perfect hair. Her only role is to be interested in the singer, showing that women like men that exhibit hegemonic traits.

Background is black expect for the lights making the woman look more angelic. The lights around her make her look like she is glowing to further that impression.

• In the final shots of the video Brendon is beaten by larger men at dodge ball. It results in him still getting the girl. This breaks the hegemonic representations as it shows that you can show weakness and still get the girl.

Overall the video inspires men to want to be like Brendon as when he fails he still wins.