Stop where you are

Question 1

introduction or conclusion

Answer 1

–range of media language techniques, camera, mise en scene, or editing techniques to communicate ideas about British society

–coming from a predominantly left wing perspective, CBR is suggesting that the stereotyping of working class people is not accurate.

–CBR is saying that society would be better if we stopped, reflected and listened to each other. Seeing each other as people rather than just stereotypes

Question 2

social and cultural contexts

Answer 2

–massive increase in mental health issues in Britain, particularly with the teenage generation

–since the EU referendum debate leading to Brexit, social debate has been increasingly divisive with people taking very polarised views on everything. Arguably this is the way social media works, dividing society into simplistic left versus right positions

Question 3

8 points of media language

Answer 3

1. naturalistic
2. performance video
3. intertextuality
4. positive values
5. overcoming imprisonment
6. binary oppsition
7. shot types
8. realist narrative structure

Question 4

1. naturalistic

Answer 4

–mv is naturalistic, attempts to be as close to real life as possible.
–this is similar to social realism, a genre that attempts to show ‘real life’ and poverty

–close up of CBR connotes reality
–use of backlight to highlight the truth
–reality of life with anger, violence and mental health issues. EG teenagers fighting

Question 5

2. performance video

Answer 5

–mv mainly shows CBR performing.
–also features elements of narrative such as the teenage girls finding friendship and the man on the stairs being helped
–the video is made within a society that values celebrities.

–CBR performance eg spinning around, jumping, moving hands
–portrays a narrative as she is telliing a story, mental health
-two shot of two people smiling with their arms around each other

Question 6

3. intertextuality

Answer 6

–not a great deal of intertextual references, but it does show a setting that is familiar to the audience
–the conventional setting of ‘concrete jungle’ is a familar mise en scene to many people and potentially a semantic code (BARTHES) for poverty and urban decay

–low angle shot of grey walls at the beginning
–lowkey lighting - sets the mood
–dark, closed off setting - homeless people, dark time in their life
–all filmed in the same location
–dark to light theme
–setting contrasts to bright red dress, she stands out

Question 7

4. positive values

Answer 7

–ideologically, the video depicts how through positive values such as friendship and compassion, poverty can be overcome.
–this is emphasised in the narrative structure showing how acts of kindness can overcome sadness and poverty

–eg buisness man - act of kindnesss sense of community, close up of homeless man shows how much it means to him
–boy breakdancing - positivity

Question 8

5. overcoming imprisonment

Answer 8

–there are deeper themes of ‘overcoming imprisonment’ in this mv

–CBR sings to a homeless girl in blue hoodie - narrative, storyline
–girl pushing someone away and then CBR stops them - positivity
–homeless man sitting on floor in dark setting begging and shouting and buisness man walks pasts and ignores him at first and then buys him a drink and talks to him

Question 8

6. binary opposition

Answer 8

-the mise en scene sets up a binary opposite between the grey depressing walls and the bright red dress worn by CBR. The bright red dress becomes a semantic code (BARTHES) for hope and optimism

–dress shows light, happiness and love which is opposite to dark outfits and setting
–shows that she is telling a narrative
–colour palette

Question 9

7. shot types

Answer 9

–when people are shown as imprisoned by their environment, they are often shown in long shot
–however when they become ‘free’ they are shown in close up, identifying them as an individual, not just a product of their environment

-stereotypical male with tattoos then cuddles dog
–homeless man long shot to close up
–backlight close up of a man making direct address with a serious facial expression at the end of the video - darl, overcome situation

Question 10

8. realist narrative structure

Answer 10

–the video employs a realist narrative structure
–one action causes another action in the narrative sequence

–CBR telling multiple narratives, different people’s stories
–overcoming sterotypes

Question 11

representations

Answer 11

1. preconceptions
2. youth class and gender
3. binary opposition
4. class
5. celebrity
6. feminine stereotypes
7. feminism
8. representations of men
9. representations of teenagers
10. multi-cultural society
11. underclass
12. lack of representation
13. good in everyone
14. left vs right

Question 12

1. preconceptions

Answer 12

–overall, the images that usually connote ‘threat’ or urban decay and poverty are subverted to show how such preconceptions are more often driven by prejudice and a lack of understanding.
–the mv is an attempt to challenge prejudices and preconceptions

–mv challenges and subverts stereotypes
–eg buisness man, man with dog

Question 13

2. youth class and gender

Answer 13

–the video represents quite stereotypical images of youth class and gender
–however, these are then subverted in the video

–CBR pushes against the teenagers when running away
–subverts stereotypes and shows that they arent real
–positive representations instead of negative

Question 14

3. binary opposition

Answer 14

–mv sets up binary opposition between middle class and the unemployed.
–this is signified through both constume, gesture codes and narrative elements such as the buisnessman refusing to give money to the homeless person.
–this binary opposite is subverted through the narrative of the buisnessman bringing coffee

–close up of man bringing drink, having a chat.
–subverts stereotypes

Question 15

4. class

Answer 15

–class is shown using the ‘shorthand’ and stereotypical mise en scene associated with the ‘unemployed’. Aggressive posturing, grey mise en scene, gesture codes etc

–portrayed to be aggressive and rough. stereotypical
–mise en scene with dark locations and costumes vs CBR

Question 16

5. celebrity

Answer 16

–CBR appears to be ‘outside’ of the class represented in the video, positioning her as a ‘celebrity’ above these problems, but compassionate enough to try and solve these social issues, that she may once have experienced

–subverts stereotypes that middle-class people are stuck up, CBR is trying to help others and also share the message to her fans

Question 17

6. feminine stereotypes

Answer 17

–in terms of gender, CBR is presented in quite a stereotypically feminine way.
–red dress with high heels. constructed as traditionally attractive
–she is a mainatream artist and the primary role of a music video is to build her ‘brand’, encourage downloads and sell tickets to live performances

–CBR is spreading an important message, educating
–other artists are profit motivated but CBR is telling important stories
stereotypes of women, feminine. binary opposites of lower class girls

Question 18

7. feminism

Answer 18

– CBR is rerpesented as a ‘savior’ and therefore in an empowered position
–therefore we could argue the video has been influenced by feminism

–CBR being kind and helping people
–patriachy

Question 19

8. representations of men

Answer 19

–men are initially represented negatively, threatening and unfriendly. However, they turn out to be both balletic and caring, of course with the help of CBR and the optimism she provides

–eg buisness man refusing - giving
–toxic masculinity man with tattoos stereotypes have been subverted when he was playing with the dog with the help of CBR

Question 20

9. representations of teenagers

Answer 20

–teenagers are represented as either aggressive or insecure and anxious, with CBR represented as a ‘maternal figure’ who is able to turn their lives around

–CBR isnt much older but is still a maternal figure. stereotypical
–teenagers are represented negatively –dark closed off setting
–teenagers are working-class

Question 21

10. multi-cultural society

Answer 21

–this urban environment is represented as being a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic community
–this doesnt appear to be the source of conflict within the video, but class does appear to be the key division between different groups (the video has been influenced by the fact that it is made within a multi-cultural society

–binary oppositions of working class vs upper class
–class is the key difference but shouldnt be - equality
–CBR helps them to be equal

Question 22

11. underclass

Answer 22

–overall, we see a move from an ‘underclass’ trapped by both their poverty and semantically by the grey walls of the location

–trapped, negative environment
–surrounded by poverty and people in similar situations

Question 23

12. lack of representation

Answer 23

–despite the video being ‘inclusive’ and positive in terms of its messages around class age gender and ethnicity, it only represents able-bodied characters.
–Arguably this decreases the visibility yet again of disabled characters

–diverse but not with disablities

Question 24

13. good in everyone

Answer 24

--the audience is positioned to believe that there us 'good in everyone' and that all it takes is kindness and compassion to challenge poverty, violence and prejudice --spreads positivity, important messages --raises awareness for audiences --CBR using her platform for good use, to educate

Question 25

14. left vs right

Answer 25

--the video constructs a left-leaning ideology of redemption and understanding eg people helping one another so social problems can be challenged and overcome. --right wing audiences may take an oppositional reading to the video, whereas left wing audiences may take a preferred reading --however, the video doesnt directly challenge any economic or political reasons for poverty, but sees it purely as a product of 'misunderstanding' and a lack of kindness --therefore right wing audiences may be able to adopt a negotiated or even a preferred reading of the text --the video therefore is constructed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible --reaches large audience of individuals with different views