In the start of this video, the use of burning a piece of paper reinforces the lyrics of the song at that section (Set fire to the Rain). This makes an atmosphere which supports the original song.
Furthermore, throughout the video, there has been many edited visual effects where the guy playing the instruments (Andy Lange) is shown on screen alongside Chester but not directly 'next' to him. There were also scenes were multiple footages of Andy were shown at the same time. This can be done through taking several footages then editing them into one.
The repeated use of fire glimpsing in the background can as stated above reinforce the words used in the song. Likewise, the scene where paper is being burnt up on the floor and the fact that Chester was the one who 'set fire' to it allows the audience to be engaged throughout the whole video.
Moreover, the pitch black background can represent darkness and that the kindled flame is the only light left. This is due to the lyrics (There's a side to you, that I never knew) which can connote to the meaning of black and light, that in every human there's a good side and an evil one. This is because of the effects created by using a plain background.
On addition, the narrative of the video is about losing someone close (possibly a lover due to the lyrics) and it says about the things that they had together and the things that were 'never true'. This is a typical narrative of a music video related to love.
Channing Tatum is being represented as a White American jock in school. There are many stereotypes such as a jock having to be rude to other students (shown at the beginning with Jonah Hill, the school geek) and the way he acts in school grounds (wearing a bag with one strap). This representation can be negative because jocks in school might not be rude in reality.
Jonah Hill is being represented as a White American geek in school. The stereotypes regarding his character are also not positive but can be occasionally realistic as they are showing that geeks are nerdy technology people that have a 'pathetic' social life. The realistic part is that geeks are nerdy and most of them might be intrested in technology or science but in reality, most geeks have a better social life then even jocks as they might get along with others better.
The student that hands out drugs (Dave Franco) is being stereotypes as if American students that deal with drugs are 'high', popular and somewhat rich. This can be realistic in certain area's of the USA where teens sell drugs illegally to get money and well become popular but also not necessarily true because teens selling drugs do not certainly take them which does not make them 'high' in any way.
Note: Its also being represented here that the 'jocks', 'geeks' or 'druggies' are mostly male.
THEORIES
Todorov:
Todorov's theory surrounds the equilibrium in a film. There are three stages:
Equilibrium > Disequilibrium > New Equilibrium (Resolution)
In 21 Jump Street, there was equilibrium at the beginning before Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum became cops. After they were assigned to the school at 21 Jump Street, thats where the disruption happens and the balance breaks. There is a new equilibrium in the end after the drugs been removed and the bad people where caught.
Propp:
Propp's theory is about character types such as the protagonist or antagonist for example.
There are seven types of characters.
In 21 Jump Steet, the protagonists are Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. The antagonists are the drug dealers. The heroine might be the girl in the school where Jonah Hill develops a crush on. The helpers might be the geeks that aid Channing Tatum into discovering who the drug supplier is. The father is most likely Ice Cube.
Barthes:
Barthes theory involves two codes that are both similar, enigma codes and action codes. The main reason for these codes is to absorb the audience and keep them in a state of tension and suspense by working together.
Enigma Code:
The Enigma Code is based around mystery to draw the audience in for them to pose questions and as such become intrigued in the film.
21 Jump Street has a massive mystery of who the drug supplier might be. At the beginning, the audience might suspect the 'high' student only to later find out that he is a mere seller. This leaves a number of questions in the audiences mind.
Action Code:
Barthes action code relates to tension. It is to keep the audience engaged through any action or event that suggests something else may happen.
In 21 Jump Street, there were many scenes where it involves gun shooting or the villain suspecting the protagonists being cops where tension is at its peak and the audience is kept engaged.
