Analysis of representation and ideology within our genre
By analyzing representation in videos of the same genre, we can gain a better idea about the appropriacy of our own concept.
The use of Mise-en-scene in this video is interesting, as they conform to the one of two indie costume conventions. The first being to dress ridiculously, completely disregarding 'fashion' and popular culture, a sense of individualization that in fact plays on Goodwins theory of PSUEDO-individualization, as many indie bands use this technique therefore they are in fact conforming rather than contrasing. The second, present here, is the use of 'ordinary' clothes, clothes unrecognisable to that worn by the general public from day-to-day. This is in purposeful juxtaposition of the star image created in pop videos, where performers attempt to be ordinary yet extraordinary, in order to be relatable by the audience yet unreachable as a celebrity so worth money and attention. Indie bands such as The Metros use ordinary clothing, such as the plain black jackets, t-shirts and jeans worn above, clothing conventions that date back to the birth of indie from punk and british rock (see earlier research). This is another rebellion motif, as they are reinforcing the dominant belief that youth are almost always unwilling to adhere to the rules of adults.
The Metros - Education PT 2
By analyzing representation in videos of the same genre, we can gain a better idea about the appropriacy of our own concept. I chose this video not only because it is a good example of the Indie genre, but also because it appeals to me as I am the target audience; I personally love the characterization of the band in this video, as I find it amusing and entertaining. In this video I will be specifically analysing the representation and ideology construed within it.
Watching this video, the predominant ideology that is being construed is the cult of youth. It is construed by the frequent icons present throughout this video; an example, right, of students scrawling on the walls of their school; or above, of the band themselves, acting foolish and pulling childish faces in a school photograph. These are all icons of rebellion and anarchistic behaviour, which conform to the stereotypes surrounding teenagers and indie bands alike. There are many audience readings of this ideology; the target audience, teenagers, could read it as
an amusing representation or almost reflection of their own lives. On the other hand, it could be read as an exaggeration and emphasis of a title many teenagers resent being labelled with. It is conventional in indie music videos to include rebellion motifs, to build on their meta-narrative as independant, free individuals. However, by including so many of these icons, The Metros are in fact conforming to popular culture by following their conventions 'word for word' and only acting as they are expected to do so. Here, teenagers are only represented as rude, uncaring, immature individuals. I find this amusing, as it is teenagers representing themselves as stereotypically as adults would. 
Most of the shots used in this video are CUs or MSs. This is interesting, because star persona is created in many mainstream videos through the use of meat shots (or frequent CUs/ECUs of the band during first person mode of address) and indie bands are more commonly known for conceptual based videos with as little meat shots as possible (so as to differentiate themselves from the 'manufactured' music scene, to fit with their image of being 'free' and 'individual'). However, in this case the use of CUs and MSs are almost comedic in nature, as although The Metros are breaking the fourth wall (therefore including the audience) as most pop stars would do so, they do so with ridiculous expressions on their faces (see above/top right). Therefore, rather than building a serious narrative fuzz around the use of frequent meat shots, The Metros are using these conventions of pop videos to convey connotations of rebellion and freedom, icons of the indie genre. By using icons from other genres in a playful manner, The Metros are an example of postmodernism.
an amusing representation or almost reflection of their own lives. On the other hand, it could be read as an exaggeration and emphasis of a title many teenagers resent being labelled with. It is conventional in indie music videos to include rebellion motifs, to build on their meta-narrative as independant, free individuals. However, by including so many of these icons, The Metros are in fact conforming to popular culture by following their conventions 'word for word' and only acting as they are expected to do so. Here, teenagers are only represented as rude, uncaring, immature individuals. I find this amusing, as it is teenagers representing themselves as stereotypically as adults would. 
Most of the shots used in this video are CUs or MSs. This is interesting, because star persona is created in many mainstream videos through the use of meat shots (or frequent CUs/ECUs of the band during first person mode of address) and indie bands are more commonly known for conceptual based videos with as little meat shots as possible (so as to differentiate themselves from the 'manufactured' music scene, to fit with their image of being 'free' and 'individual'). However, in this case the use of CUs and MSs are almost comedic in nature, as although The Metros are breaking the fourth wall (therefore including the audience) as most pop stars would do so, they do so with ridiculous expressions on their faces (see above/top right). Therefore, rather than building a serious narrative fuzz around the use of frequent meat shots, The Metros are using these conventions of pop videos to convey connotations of rebellion and freedom, icons of the indie genre. By using icons from other genres in a playful manner, The Metros are an example of postmodernism.
The use of Mise-en-scene in this video is interesting, as they conform to the one of two indie costume conventions. The first being to dress ridiculously, completely disregarding 'fashion' and popular culture, a sense of individualization that in fact plays on Goodwins theory of PSUEDO-individualization, as many indie bands use this technique therefore they are in fact conforming rather than contrasing. The second, present here, is the use of 'ordinary' clothes, clothes unrecognisable to that worn by the general public from day-to-day. This is in purposeful juxtaposition of the star image created in pop videos, where performers attempt to be ordinary yet extraordinary, in order to be relatable by the audience yet unreachable as a celebrity so worth money and attention. Indie bands such as The Metros use ordinary clothing, such as the plain black jackets, t-shirts and jeans worn above, clothing conventions that date back to the birth of indie from punk and british rock (see earlier research). This is another rebellion motif, as they are reinforcing the dominant belief that youth are almost always unwilling to adhere to the rules of adults.
When considering this research into representation and ideology, I think there are many things we could use in our own video; I personally love the use of comedic meat shots, as this appeals to me as a wonderfully amusing way to break conventions.
Outstanding analysis
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