Messages conveyed to target audience

The messages being communicated to my audience are messages of how you should be happy with who you are no matter what people or other influences may try to tell you. This is a message in the actual song as well, so they both intertwine with each other well. Another message is that people should not passively receive information from the media and aspire to be like the images in the media.


I just feel that in this day and age, more so in teenagers, that people are kind of brain washed by the media in terms of how you should look. Sometimes they’re even unaware that the images or sometimes the people in some cases are fake and have been edited, which was shown with the “inspirational” images of typically bad role models on the girls bedroom wall (e.g. Katie Price, Paris Hilton, etc.) What’s even more worrying is that this has such a negative effect on these people and it can lead to them doing dangerous stuff, as I showed with the point of view shot of the girl’s cuts on her wrist from self-harming.


Even if a person doesn’t listen to these influences, someone else will and may try point out why they’re flawed according to these influences, which I showed in my music video with the bullies at school. This again has a negative impact on this person.


I created this video to show to my target audience that they don’t have to listen to these influences. They should be happy with what they look like and who they are.

Hyperreal vs Real Texts

Wikipedia defines hyperreality: Hyperreality is used in semiotics and postmodern philosophy to describe a hypothetical inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from a simulation of reality, especially in technologically advanced post-modern societies. Hyperreality is a way of characterizing what our consciousness defines as "real" in a world where a multitude of media can radically shape and filter an original event or experience. Some famous theorists of hyperreality include Jean Baudrillard, Albert Borgmann, Daniel Boorstin, and Umberto Eco.

My music video was a realist text with one element of hyperreality with the cloning sequence to create another version of Kirsten (my talent). This juxtaposes the social realist aesthetic look I intended on creating.I created this hyperreal element in my music video by pushing the boundaries of budget and experimenting with technology that I had. Because I was limited in technology and budget, I couldn't create a more hyperreal, glossy looking video.

However, I don't think, if I had the budget or technology, I wouldn't have made it look like that. I prefer a more social realistic look when watching videos and films. I wouldn't have wanted glamourous actors/actresses, stunning set locations or amazing cinematography (ok, maybe that last one I wouldn't have minded having), because then it wouldn't have looked real. If it didn't look real, then the message of being happy with who you are and not trying to change yourself would've been lost, and then the music video would not have worked.