Weekly Blog Post 6

Each and every music video that is created has an argument behind it that the composer is attempting to convey. According to "Compose, Design, Advocate, one essential aspect of this message is the logos presented by the visual portion of the piece. Through the way the layout, structure, and various elements are composed, the author can thus help the audience, "to arrive at the points [he/she] wants to make" (285). In the case of "Thug Story" by Taylor Swift and T-Pain, it is a relatively short clip (1:25), and as such, there is not that much time for them to get across the message that they want. This being said, it makes sense for the video to keep it relatively simple, so-as to not overload the viewer. For the most part, the video is filmed in a parking garage where Swift and T-Pain rap to the camera. Within this scene, there exists a visual hierarchy where T-Pain and Swift are the focal points, with their attire, accessories, and dance moves being a focal point of the production. Occasionally, props are used by Swift in order to reinforce the lyrics, such as a cookie sheet of caramel delights, as well as knitting yarn. Despite these objects, most of the visual elements follow this "thug" look, and are unified through repetition (dance moves, baggy clothes and "bling", etc). The effect of this type of construction is that the audience focuses on the lifestyle that the two have, as portrayed through the video. From the clothes that they wear to how they act, the two look like they are serious thuggers. This, however, juxtaposes the various props that they use, such as parents, cookies, knitting yarn, etc, and causes the audience to think about the situation.

After viewing and listening to the video in its entirety, the argument it tries to portray is that Taylor Swift is not just a country music star who sings about love stories, but is also a dynamic artist who is willing to try new things. Not only can she take her work in stride and do things that her audience might not expect, but she is even willing to poke fun at her own work. The visual arrangement of the video, described above, plays an important part in this argument, as it emphasizes the thug nature that she portrays. This, in turn, aides her argument as it juxtaposes all of the flowery, romantic themes in her previous hit, "Love Story." The use of baggy clothes and thug dance moves, as well as the word play of Thug Story on Love Story make this juxtaposition obvious to the viewer, and this influences both the ethos and pathos of the video. The contrasting themes of the video to Swift's background are there to provoke a sense of comedy from the viewer, as it makes Swift look like someone who can pretend to be someone she is not. These ethos and pathos, then, contribute back to this overall message.