Explain to what extent representations in the music video are chosen to show a cross section of western society. Refer to both music videos you have studied to support your answer. (20)

Explain to what extent representations in the music video are chosen to show a cross section of western society. Refer to both music videos you have studied to support your answer. (20)

Stop where you are shows how diverse in ethnicity, class and gender western society has become. One representation used is that of ethnicity, the music video uses different shots to show the diversity of the cast. For example there is a medium shot which captures a gang of teenagers, the supposed antagonists in the video. The gang consists of a variety of gender and ethnic teenagers who are all friends. This effectively shows how western society has accepted ethnic diversity.

The video also uses the representation of class to show how fair and sympathetic western society is towards poorer people in society. For example there is a low angle shot which captures a suited man giving a homeless woman a coffee. By capturing this interaction of two different members of society at a lower angle, this action is being glorified.

Another representation of class is the use of mise-en-scene to portray a working class man negative but then using a close up shot to portray him in a sympathetic manner. For example the man is wearing a leather jacket, has a pitbull and has tattoos. All these props are related with crime, such as the leather jacket being linked with a biker gang. By following this up with a close up shot of the protagonist with his pitbull this man is being portrayed sympathetically.

A representation of gender is used in order to show how fair society has become. For example there are a variety of shots that shown a gang of teenagers who are the antagonists in the music video. The gang is very diverse in terms of gender and this effectively shows that the antagonists are not based solely on gender.  

Camera shots are used in order to empower characters in the cast. For example  there is a worm's eye angle shot of one of the dancers, and this shot emphasises how he has raised above the restrictions placed on him in terms of his grey bland and destitute environment.

Representations are used in Titanium to create a 70s/80s small town america feel. One representation used is that of the policeman and this representation is created through the use of mise-en-scene. For example there is a medium shot of the policeman which captures his leather bomber jacket. The bomber jacket is an item exclusively linked with 70s/80s policemen and by emphasizing the bomber jacket the time theme of the music video is being enforced.

Another use of mise-en-scene to enforce the time theme is the neon gym gear and head bands worn by the runners. This mise-en-scene is heavily linked with the time period. A reverse tracking shot is used to capture the women running, and the fact that the shot overtakes them  emphasises the slow speed they are running at. By highlighting that women who are very physically unfit have bought extensive running gear, the music video has once again highlighted the impact materialism has had on the mentality of americans.

Another representation used to create a 70s/80s feel is that of age. For example there is an over the shoulder shot which captures the belongings of the young protagonist. These belongings include a teddy bear, an item that is famously linked with childhood and the materialistic boom America experienced in this time period.

A representation of ethnicity is used to highlight the small town feel and emphasis the difference in attitudes and culture between big cities and small towns. For example near the end of the music video we see the only member of ethnic diversity in a close up shot, a black swat member of the FBI. This is significant because the FBI are run by the federal government, and located in big cities which have different attitudes and cultures to small towns in america on topics such as race.