Toderov's theory suggests a specific structure to music videos, implying this is needed for an audience to respond to. He suggests there are three acts; the first is an equilibrium where all is in balance, something then disturbs that balance to produce a disequilibrium in the second act and in this act there will be a struggle to acquire balance. Moving on the action to the third act, the struggle will be resolved and a new equilibrium created. I will therefore evaluate how Bjork takes aspects from this and other narrative theories in order to shape and affect meaning.
Bjorks 'Bachelorette', to connote her brand, uses a non-conventional hypodigetic structure. The Chinese box narrative which involves telling a story within another, shapes meaning by progressing the story and then bringing the audience back to the beginning again. This sense of repetition will engage the audience, constantly readdressing where they are in the narrative. This uncomfortable confusion challenges the conventions of narrative and distances the audience from the constrictions of this, allowing focus on the decline of the protagonist with each new start. Going further as the narrative reverts back to the beginning scene which gives the audience a sense of stationary and suggests nothing has been achieved. Challenging Toderov's idea of a three act process of narrative in which a struggle is resolved and all parties are better off, telling the audience that reality does not conform to this structure. Constructing the meaning as a look at reality in the face of struggle and failure.
The narrative structure of this video uses a hypodigetic narrative to critique the 'superficial, self-serving' entertainment industry. With each story within another, the detachment from the previous increases. Until the first section, reality, begins to decline with the representation of the publisher. Until fully subverted by therefore becoming a tree which of course is a non-sentient object allowing the audience to take meaning. The decline in structure and aesthetic in each progression is metaphorical of the downfall of the protagonist caused by the 'self-serving' entertainment industry. Furthermore, emphasise the superficiality of said industry by displaying distorted versions of the truth within each section. This suggests the industry is so far removed from reality, as is the truth from what is displayed with each section, therefore leaving it emotionless with the ability to operate solely 'self-serving' in tern resulting in the remorseless downfall of the protagonist. Emphasised with the circular narrative as shes is reverted back to where she began, pushed out by the industry.
The video uses an abstract narrative to entice an audience which is expose quite freely to a complex and experimental forms of narrative structures through today's media climate. Poni Hoax's 'Antibodies' is just another example of media's increasing use of complex and original narrative structures. One reason for this may be the need to engage an audience whom has the ability to access a wider narrative pool than that of just ten years ago.Therefore, the increasing trend to step away from Toderov's classic structure is important in the battle entertain an increasingly informed audience.
