Utopian solution theory

Richard Dyer theorised that sometimes audiences consume media texts to make up for inadequacies in their own lives. For example, some members of an audience for James Bond: Skyfall might watch the film because they feel their own lives are too mundane and boring and want the film to make up for this with its fast paced action sequences. It is through texts that audiences can strive for their Utopian realities.

Richard Dyer's Utopian Solutions Theory

Inadequacy	Poverty	Confusion	Exhaustion	Isolation
Solution	Abundance	Clarity	Energy	Community

Aspects of this theory can be shown above. A consumer who struggles with poverty may enjoy a film such as 'Wolf of Wall Street' or 'The Great Gatsby' - while someone who struggles socially may enjoy 'Project X'

This can be applied across to some music videos too. Someone who is 'Exhausted' might watch through  One Direction's "One Thing", which is generally very energetic.

 

Another example might be someone who feels isolated by a recent break up in relationship would find comfort in watching a music video like Beyonce's 'Halo' - which features a sweet smiling happy couple. 

In my video, Utopian solutions won't really be applicable. My video won't be happy or have an abundance of any of the solutions seen in the table above and will instead be about the pain and confusion left behind after events in life such as a break up. It will focus more on identification with the characters and their feelings to attract audiences, whereas the opposite (and one where Utopian Solutions would be applied) would be a cheery music video of someone who has just settled in a happy relationship. 

My criticism of Utopian solutions might be that a lot of the time, an audience member might feel alienated by a text which boasts solutions to their real problems. Someone who is 'isolated' is just as likely to want to watch a film where they can identify with another isolated character - as they are to watch a film which offers solutions to this problem. Meanwhile, someone who feels they are cursed with 'poverty' could feel annoyed by the hyperreality world featuring the wealth of 'The Great Gatsby'. But there are also times when these