Another theorist of which we have learnt about is Claude Levi Strauss, he is a was a French anthropologist and ethnologist, and has been called, along with James George Frazer, the "father of modern anthropology". He believes in the use of binary opposition, this means that there is a conflict between two opposing forces. He believes that this exists to create conflict to entertain.
Examples of binary opposition are as below:
Good vs Evil Crime vs Police
Happy vs Sad Young vs Old
Civilised vs Uncilvilised Nature vs Man
I am now going to show you an example of this within a music video, it is used within many different media texts but here is the music video of the song End Credits - Chase and Status. Chase and status has one clear binary opposition, between crime and police, throughout the entire music video there is trouble from the police towards the main actor and his friends. Below are screen grabs from the music video which have then been transferred onto the blog for me to talk about.
Here is the first screenshot from the music video, it is a shot of the main actor in the video and also the lead singer. He is being portrayed in the video as a 'crimester' and up to no good, they have done this by giving him a hoodie and making him wear it up. This would be to hide his identity from the other side of the binary opposition, the police. This establishing shot wold allow people to know who is on which side.
The next screen grab is of the same actor as in the first one but in an interview room, this show has been made to look like he is under interrogation from the police, this shot will also allow the audience to see which side is which and will also create an opponent for each other. Therefore sticking with Claude's theory and creating entertainment through the binary opposition.
In this third shot it is an image of the main actor looking over a man that is seriously injured either by the actor or by another actor in the video. This would make the binary opposition active as there is now a reason for them to go at each other. This is what is called a spark and would be the beginning event in a series of other events in a music video.
In this shot there is shown to be a large group of the young 'crimesters' stirring trouble again, this would provoke a lot of drama and once again backing up the theory of which Claude suggested that entertainment is made when two opposites collide. This is quite clearly shown in the music video with the police and criminals fighting.
The final shot of which I have taken from the music video created by Chase and Status is of the police moving in to start more violence. Just to strengthen Claude Levi Strauss' theory.
The music video has shown a very good reputation of Binary opposition throughout the entire song. The whole plot of the video has been based around the two opposites, this has been the only thing causing entertainment for the audience so It has been good to analyse it to his theory. The use of opposites colliding has a very brutal effect on each other, its as if they have been juxtaposed to one and other making the other seem worse or better than what they are. The video has been able to keep my attention all the way through and keep me entertained throughout. Overall I believe that Claude Levi Strauss' theory is true as it creates good entertainment for the audience but there are also many other ways in which they could be done.
From looking into this theory by Claude Levi-Strauss I have learnt that by using two contrasting things you can capture an audiences attention for a long period of time as long as there are battles between them due to it not being a natural couple. Many other music videos use the same technique to convey emotions and feelings for example when you have a smart person and a not so smart person there are comical applications involved such as jealousy and this can lead to different things happening in the video.
I believe I can apply this to our music video by using the binary opposition of love and loneliness. A couple that have just broken up will be a clear way to show the theory through our video, it will keep the audience entertained as the battle between them will go on throughout the video. To do this I think that we should have a couple starting off to show there happiness when they are together and then something bad happening and then showing there unhappiness and loneliness when they are apart, this should help cause a contrast in emotions and help to convey the message.
The next screen grab is of the same actor as in the first one but in an interview room, this show has been made to look like he is under interrogation from the police, this shot will also allow the audience to see which side is which and will also create an opponent for each other. Therefore sticking with Claude's theory and creating entertainment through the binary opposition.
In this third shot it is an image of the main actor looking over a man that is seriously injured either by the actor or by another actor in the video. This would make the binary opposition active as there is now a reason for them to go at each other. This is what is called a spark and would be the beginning event in a series of other events in a music video.
The final shot of which I have taken from the music video created by Chase and Status is of the police moving in to start more violence. Just to strengthen Claude Levi Strauss' theory.
The music video has shown a very good reputation of Binary opposition throughout the entire song. The whole plot of the video has been based around the two opposites, this has been the only thing causing entertainment for the audience so It has been good to analyse it to his theory. The use of opposites colliding has a very brutal effect on each other, its as if they have been juxtaposed to one and other making the other seem worse or better than what they are. The video has been able to keep my attention all the way through and keep me entertained throughout. Overall I believe that Claude Levi Strauss' theory is true as it creates good entertainment for the audience but there are also many other ways in which they could be done.
From looking into this theory by Claude Levi-Strauss I have learnt that by using two contrasting things you can capture an audiences attention for a long period of time as long as there are battles between them due to it not being a natural couple. Many other music videos use the same technique to convey emotions and feelings for example when you have a smart person and a not so smart person there are comical applications involved such as jealousy and this can lead to different things happening in the video.
I believe I can apply this to our music video by using the binary opposition of love and loneliness. A couple that have just broken up will be a clear way to show the theory through our video, it will keep the audience entertained as the battle between them will go on throughout the video. To do this I think that we should have a couple starting off to show there happiness when they are together and then something bad happening and then showing there unhappiness and loneliness when they are apart, this should help cause a contrast in emotions and help to convey the message.
great article it really helped me out, i have been struggling to understand this theory. thanks man
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