Representation

Character Types/Role
According to Propp there are eight main characters in a media text:
1. The Hero - this is the protagonist, usually the main character who has an aim.
2. The Villain - the character who's job is to stop the hero fulfilling his aim.
3. The Helper - this is someone who aids the hero, a sidekick to help achieve the mission.
4. The Dispatcher - the character that sends the hero on his way, the boss usually.
5. The Donor - someone who gives the hero something to help them in their mission.
6. The Princess - the focus for the hero (reward).
7. The Father - one who rewards the hero for returning the princess.
8. The False Hero - the traitor.
This Narrative Theory isnt perfect and not all characters fit in the music industry but it has some relevance as to what ideas and messages are given through these character types.

The characters for our music video promo is the producer Ruky but as a convention of the bassline genre he will not take a major part in the video itself. The video represents youth so there will be alot youngsters dancing, grinders, body poppers and ravers. The video will contain youngsters from different ethnic backgrounds from ages as little as 14-20 and will be a mixture of boys and girls. They will be represented as joyful teenagers who are having fun which will relate to the track being played. There might be dialogue in the music video aswell to express reality and the silliness of youth in todays world.
Below is an example of a bassline music video with dialogue to promote youth and fun.


They will be created as stereotypes, physically they will be dancing and acting silly, their speech will mainly be the lyrics of the track and a little of the dialogue and behaviour will show the youth as being together and fun, not rebellious and a pain as society witness's them today. There will be no direct interaction with the audience and the video will represent the youth as 'doing their own thing' and not following demand characteristics. We are going to mediate our own stereotypes of teenagers to show a positive side to them.

The media uses stereotypes to label different types of people, stylem institution etc so they are easily recognisable for the audience.
' The media is not a window on the world, Stuart Hall', this means that people tend to believe what the media produces in front of them in newspapers, television and the internet. We have to look beyond the window to find out the real meaning of the world and what it contains.
' The media is a 'distorting mirror', John Pilger', this goes to show that everything is represented as it shouldnt be and we are led by stereotypes to believe with the majority and we are too humble and naive to go out in the world and look for the truth in things ourselves.

A huge stereotype in todays world is the 'Dumb Blonde'.
Physical Characteristics - include blonde hair, curvy figure, make up and femininity.
Behavioural/Speech Characteristics - include speaking very slowly and they sound unintelligent. They are always confused and moan all the time and are bothered about how they look. They tend to work in salons and do girly jobs and live a girly life.
Cultural Characteristics - mainly from Western - Europe where the idea originated.
Media Stereotypes - Carmel from Hollyoaks, Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton.

Walter Lippman came up with 4 functions of stereotypes to show the need of them.
1) A short cut - it is an instant recognition of someone and someplace.
2) An ordering process - people are put into categories for recognition.
3) A map of the world - it is how the world goes around.
4) An expression of our values and beliefs (as a society) - what everyone believes to be true and accepts.

Although stereotyping is not the best way of representing people/places/ideas (e.g. they are usually negative, exaggerated, simplified representations that generalise people/groups). However, they are essential in the media particularly in the need of the economy. This is why they are used so often in the media.