The way that we portray the people shown in this music video is probably on of the most important aspects of the production. The different people represent different cultures and backgrounds which can be read through semiotics and signs in each picture, through background, clothing and action.
Here are a few examples of character representation in our music video.
Skate scene-
Background: The set of this scene is based in a skate park. The skate park has been covered in graffiti which signifies crime. This can represent a rough environment to grow up to some viewers. Others might see it as a sign of creativity as people are able to express themselves with street art. Others might just see it as an area where they can be with their friends if they have grown up in a similar environment.
Clothing: The clothing our character is wearing is quite baggy and dirty showing he doesn't really value it as a fashion accessory but rather something he would rather wear whilst skating as he is going to get it dirty or even damage it if he falls over. The shirt is also branded in the top right corner showing that the skater does have some fashion sense about him.
Activity: Our character throughout this video is skating and pulling off various tricks around a skate park. We also see him fall over a few times however he doesn't seem to hurt himself which shows that he is used to falling showing that he has been skating for a while. The fact that we see him fall multiple times shows us that he doesn't mind falling, and in fact he enjoys the rush in order to try and get a trick right.
These combined representations show to the audience that the character is focused on what he is doing and arguably is from a rough background. His actions show that he doesn't care for pain and enjoys the flair of skating.
Road bridge scene-
Background: In the background we can see a main road that extends into the distance. This can be a sign for travelling and road trips. Lots of people can relate this to past holidays that included long trips in the back of a car these would have normally of been family holidays. The multiple cars passing by shows the number of people and the story's that they might have (Where they've been and where they are going) The fact that the shot is from higher up shows that we can look down on these people as if we were the audience to a theatre performance in the grand stands where we can study the character with more ease.
Clothing: Our character here is dressed in winter clothing, a thick coat and a hat. This shows that it is very cold outside especially considering his hands are in his pockets in which the audience can assume that he is cold as he has no gloves maybe. The skinny jeans and pulled back show that he has a sense for style and fashion.
Activity: Our character is simply just sitting down on the sofa and looking around in his peripheral vision. This shows that he is either curious as to what is going on around him or he is waiting for someone. This tied in with the activity in the background could show that he is waiting for his next journey.
Crossroads-
Background: In the background of this scene we have a crossing and a junction at which two roads meet. The road isn't that busy which showed that it was safer to film here. The people who did drive past did give us funny looks as its not everyday you see two people sitting on a sofa on a crossing island in the middle of the road.
Clothing: Both of our characters were wearing very bright clothing when we filmed them. This could represent them to be quite creative in their work that they do outside the video. This gives the characters quite an "arty" appearance. It also shows that the pair of them have a very unique opinion on style and fashion as they both wear things that are not necessarily the "latest trend" or style.
Activity: The two of our characters are simply just being lazy just sitting or even laying/slouching on the sofa, to show they are relaxed even though they are in a potentially hostile environment in the middle of a road with lots of people looking at them.
