media coursework

1. Analysis of Ariana Grande’s Into music video using
theories which we have discussed in class.
*

2. *
Todorov produced a theory which he believed to be able to be applied
to any film. For Todorov, films all go through stages the same five
stages. These stages are called: the equilibrium, disequilibrium,
acknowledgement, solving and again the equilibrium. Ariana Grande’s
video does indeed follow these stages, and within the video we can see
Todrov’s process.
This is what the five stages of Todrov's narrative mean:
• A state of equilibrium (All is as it should be.)
• Disequilibrium (A disruption of that order by an event.)
• Acknowledgment- A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
• Solving - An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
• Equilibrium again - the return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium

3. * The video starts of in a state of equilibrium, with a boy and a girl appearing to be in love
travelling together. A two shot is shown early on , as the two shadowy figures are seen with a
sunset in the background. Everything appears to be normal in Ariana's video, as the couple is
united and together. A lighter background is used when we see a close up of the happy couple.
As they look into each other’s eyes we see their infatuation with each which is very common
through young love. Everything seems happy for the couple.
The disequilibrium In the music video is shown, when Ariana is seen with another boy at a
press event. We as an audience know what Ariana does not want to be with this boy and she
is doing it for the media and not herself. This scene is in disequilibrium as it is jeopardising
the real relationship she has the first boy.

4. Acknowledgment- In the video is shown when Ariana is seen looking at her new
boyfriend. As she looks at him with a worried expression we as an audience know
that this is not right and she shouldn’t be at this event with him.
Solving- The pair who are in love attempt to reconcile as the princess (prince) and
the hero realise they should be together. She realises that love that is real is more
important than love for the media and the public. The man is shown as her bodyguard
having connotations of protection as he “protecting” her which is a key element in
relationships. The new boy she is with is seen to be flirting with another girl showing
how he is unfaithful and untrustworthy.

5. Equilibrium again- Ariana and her boyfriend get back to together as they realise
they can’t without each other. There is a repetition of the opening shot on the
couple of a bike

6. Propp- Identified a few character types that can be found in
narrative. In Ariana Grande’s video we have a hero, a villain
and a princess who is a boy in this story.
The HERO
Ariana plays the hero as
she has to choose to
follow her heart , and
ignore the media. We as
the audience want her
to be happy.
THE PRINCESS
In this narrative/story the
princess is a boy. This is
very unorthodox in stories.
He is the one that the
hero (Ariana) is love with.
He is her “prize” for
following her heart.
THE VILLAIN
The Villain gets in
the way of the hero
and the princess’s
relationship. He is
also shown to be
unfaithful, as he
talks to other girls.

7. Levi-Strauss
Levi-Strauss states that narratives are structured by binary opposites. Opposites are needed in
narratives, as they reveal the conflicts that contribute to the climax of the story. Looking at the
pair, you are able to distinguish the dominant character. We can also see how problems can
arise, and how they can be resolved.
Within Into you, there are opposites in order for us to differentiate the characters and the
situation. For example, The first scene shows the hero and villain riding off into the sunset. The
colours are dark and the two characters are shown as shadows. Due to the darkness of the
scene, we as an audience believe that their love has elements of danger and spontaneity. After
the mid of the two we are shown a close up of The hero Arianna in light purple lighting. The
lighting in the mid shot has connotations of purity which juxtaposes the scene before which
represented danger.

8. Barthes- Narrative codes
Action- The action in “into you” is centred on the forbidden love of the Artist
(Ariana Grande) and her true love. At the start of the video, their forbidden
love is hinted to as they seem to be running away on is motorcycle from
outsiders of their relationship.
Engima- As an audience see Ariana and her love interest riding off into the
sunset. Questions arise as we want to know why they are being so secretive
with their love. The other question we have is the fact that Ariana attends an
event with another boy when she is already in love; Ariana does not look
happy about this so we want to know why she is going on this date.
Semic- The Mise en scene when Ariana is on her own is very girly as she is
surrounded by pink. When Ariana is with her love interest in the hotel room
the Mise en scene darkens, as black is the central colour. This help to show,
that the artist has two different personalities when she is with her true love.
Symbolic- This music video helps to show that love cannot be forced and true
love exists for everyone.
Cultural- Elements of this music video is comparable to love of a romance
movie where true love evidently wins.

9. Saussure- Semiotics
The motorcycle
symbolises danger and
the excitement of new
love.
The Hotel/motel called
“the Honeymoon inn”
represents their sexual
relationship.
This fake relationship is shown about
control and Ariana wants to move
away from it. This is shown though
the gesture of Ariana desperately
wanting to move away yet she is
grabbed towards her fake date.

10. Mulvey –Male Gaze
Laura Mulvey said that females are displayed for the visual pleasure of
males. Women are sexualized as their body parts tend to be the focus of
each shot.
This mid shot of Ariana Grande
shows her torso as the main
focus. This shot’s focus is on
the female artist’s body
supporting Dyer’s theory.
This close up is at a lower
angle giving Ariana
dominance however, she is
still sexualized as her
breasts are a focus of the
shot.

11. Dyer
Dyer suggests that stereotypes perform a number of
functions in media representations. In narratives we are often
shown the most quintessential stereotypes e.g. a geeky boy
and a popular girl. These stereotypes show the differences in
between people, and also help the audience to relate to the plot/
characters.
The beautiful girl who is the
eye of everybody’s affections.
She is nice and kind but is all
ways looking for love.
The true love of the beautiful girl,
the world does not accept this
relationship.
The man she should
be with to please
society however, she
does not love him.

12. Baudrillard- Simulacra
This video helps to showcase the hyper reality of stardom and
“celebrity.” The artist is at her happiest when she is living a
normal life with her true love. As people we obsess over the
artists we see the media, but this showcases that what we are
shown is fabricated and not real.
RealityHyper- Reality

13. Hypodermic Needle Model
The music video makes us excited but also apprehensive as we want
to see the hero and the princess together. We feel bad for the artist
when she has to fake her feelings for the cameras and society.

14. Uses and Gratification
Diversion - The escape from reality is shown whilst we see the artist going
to glamorous parties and press events. We will probably not experience
these events in our lifetime.
Personal Relationships – The video uses the common theme of love in order
to form a relationship between the audience and a character. When the
artist is not with her true love we know how painful that can be and we
are able to empathise with her.
Personal Identity – We are able to relate to Ariana Grande, as she is a
young girl rebelling against society a common occurrence gone through in
our teenage period.
Surveillance – The audience is given an insight into being a celebrity.

15. Encoding Decoding
Dominant - Accepts it's a love story and also the negatives of fame
Negotiated – Takes Ariana’s theme of loving someone and the excitement of first love
to adapt it to their situation.
Oppositional – Some could reject the idea of love being so dangerous and wild like
Ariana’s. Most people believe this is just lust.
David Morley Nationwide Study - Social and Cultural context
Text will be interpreted differently, depending on their social status, age etc.
Teenagers and young adults will probably take this as a love story whereas, older
adults would feel it lacks the realism of love and is just lust.

16. Institution
‘The use of generic or cyclical typing is one way Hollywood has
always sought to create commercial stability…Genre is one way
many movies have been pre-sold throughout the history of
Hollywood.’ Geoff King (2002)
As audiences tend to respond to the same genres, Hollywood
keeps them the same as they know the response will be mostly
positive. As people like what is already being created by
Hollywood ,by keeping the same genres they continue to make
money. The themes in “ Into you” is reminiscent of a romantic
film; romance/love is a very common element used in the
narrative in media. By focusing on romance, the producers of the
music video will make more profit by being more marketable.

17. Audience
‘The attraction of genre to the industry is closely linked to its
presumed appeal to viewers. Filmgoers generally like to have a
broad idea of what to expect from any individual picture. Genres
are constituted not just by bodies of films but also by the
established expectations of viewers.’ King (2002)
In media there are certain elements we as the audience expect to
see. As it’s a pop video the Audience expect to see bright colours,
high key lighting and shots of the artist. “Into you” has elements
within it that is stereotypical for pop music as Ariana Grande is
shown most of the time in high- key lighting whilst she is own her
won.

18. Ritual
the Western, like any myth, stands between individual human
consciousness and society. If a myth is popular, it must somehow appeal
to or reinforce the individual who view it by communicating a symbolic
meaning to them. The meaning must…reflect the particular social
institutions and attitudes that have created and continue to nourish the
myth. Thus a myth must tell its viewers about themselves and their
society’ Will Wright (1975)
Film genres create myths in society which can create a false belief for
the audience. Watching this video, could give the false impression that
young love is exciting and dangerous.

19. Classification and Interpretation
‘genres are not simply bodies of work or groups of
films…Genres do not consist only of films: they consist
also…of specific systems of expectation…which spectators
bring with them to the cinema, and which interact with
film themselves during the course of the viewing
process. These systems provide spectators with means of
recognition and understanding. They help render films,
and the elements within them, intelligible and therefore
explicable.’ Steve Neale (1990)
As this video is for pop music, people will already have a
pre-made assumptions of what a pop music video should
be.

20. Ideology
Generic convention is a product of the formulaic repetition of the capitalist-
financed studio system, and can therefore only produce meanings in support of
the status quo. Genre films temporarily relieve the fears created by social and
political conflicts by offering simplistic solutions based on following
tradition. Judith Hess
Ariana Grande and her team are aware of the generic conventions needed to
create a familiar atmosphere for the audience. By adding in these conventions
she makes more money as she is sticking to social norms.