Research Infographic

 

Here, I have produced a infographic on the development of music videos deepening my contextual knowledge. 

Music Video Research

 Music Video Research 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914&si=1Qoa7hCZAo7LByPC

The music video for “Take On Me” by a-ha (1985) is a highly iconic example of 1980s media, using innovative rotoscoped animation combined with live action to reflect the decade’s fascination with new technology and visual experimentation. From a media studies perspective, the contrast between the black-and-white animated fantasy world and the full-colour real world creates a clear binary opposition between escapism and reality, a common theme in 80s pop culture. The video follows a clear narrative structure rather than simply showcasing performance, which was unusual at the time and helped audiences emotionally engage with the song. Representation of gender aligns with many 80s conventions, presenting the male character as active and heroic while the female character begins as passive but ultimately shows agency by choosing to enter danger for love. Overall, the video reinforces the 1980s emphasis on romance, optimism, and spectacle, while also demonstrating how music videos became more cinematic and story-driven during the decade.