Wednesday, 8 July 2015

Task 2.1: Research Into Existing Products - Music Videos

Lady Gaga - Paparazzi


There is a montage of a series of establishing shots on flowers, water, trees etc, which sets the scene and creates a calm atmosphere, contrasting the chaos that is to come in the future. This calm atmosphere is further shown through the dietetic sound of birds tweeting, the water fountain and rustle of the wind. There are also shots of a mansion and a chandelier involved in the montage which indicates the wealth and power that Lady Gaga has. These shots are low angle, making the audience feel like they are looking up at the mansion and the chandelier which further connotes the power Lady Gaga has.


The titles have a comic like, 1950's film feel to them because of the font and the bright colours, which keeps in with the comic like feel of the whole video.
There is a mid shot of a marbled balcony with statues and the view of the sea which has a Mediterranean feel to it, connoting luxury, high status and wealth. Also this paradise contrasts with death that occurs later in the video. Then there is a close up of dollar notes with Lady Gaga's face on, further connoting wealth and power which is a main theme throughout the video.

After this montage the narrative begins with Gaga and her lover on her bed. They are speaking romantically and in Swedish due to the director and the man in the video being Swedish. There is a close up on jewellery with a G on for Gaga, this is because Lady Gaga has her own jewellery range, so it is advertising her products. She is also shown wearing a Dior ring as Dior has created various outfits worn by Gaga, so she is advertising this in the video. He takes off her jacket revealing a corset which are usually worn in a sexual way or to emphasises a woman's figure. The champagne of the balcony could indicate wealth but could also indicate alcoholism and violence. When the paparazzi start taking photos of the couple they are in black and white which could further indicate that this video is set in the 1950's, along with the titling. When Gaga realises that they are being photographed she believes that he has set it up and is only using him for fame so she punches him, causing him to push her off the balcony.  


The black and white swirly pattern in the background could indicate a brainwash/hypnosis, and that celebrities in today's society are brainwashed by the media or that the public are hypnotized by pictures and stories posted in the media. Gaga is in the Jesus cross position which could indicate nearly dying and being reborn. Her blood has glitter and jewels in which could connote that her death is being glamorised. The newspapers are yellow and washed out and the cameras are old fashioned, further indicating the 1950's era. The fact that paparazzi are taking photos of her dead shows they have no ethics and only care about getting a photo and not the actual person, which could be the message Lady Gaga is trying to get across in the whole video. 




The purple carpet connotes wealth and royalty. The fact that Lady Gaga is shown looking glamorous could be seen in two ways, one being the preferred way that despite being disabled you can still be glamorous, fashionable and high status, and the other being the deferred way, and that Lady Gaga is making fun of disability. The representation of ethnicity is challenged here, as there are black men acting as her "slaves." Segregation was an issue in the 1950's. She is shown wearing lightening bolt earrings and doing hand movements which are highly associated with Lady Gaga.  
The fact that her neck brace is glittery shows she is trying to stylise her disability. She is later shown in what looks like gold armour which shows that she is not powerful any more and needs protection.



There is a montage of dead girls which could indicate they are victims of male violence and are innocent. They are in fancy dress which may further connote the comic like feel of the whole video. She does a gun gesture with her hands which could foreshadow the later killing of her husband.  One dead girl is shown hung, making the audience believe she has commit suicide. You can only see her legs, lingerie and heels which makes the representation of gender relevant as it is very sexualised. In the media in the past there has been rumours of Lady Gaga being transgender, and this is represented in the video as Lady Gaga is wearing half a dress and half trousers. The flashing could indicate that either Lady Gaga is in a living nightmare due to the paparazzi and she can't get out or it may be cameras flashing. 




She is shown wearing a yellow Minnie mouse outfit which again further connotes the comic like feel to the video. Also the colour yellow could show innocence which contrasts her actions of the future, and also could show happiness and that she is happy that she's killing her husband. The man is wearing an eye patch as if he is blinded by Lady Gaga's plan. She is wearing sunglasses as if she is hiding behind them from her plan. The drink is red indicating danger and she pours in the powder out of her glittery ring which shows she is glamorising his death. There is a close up where she looks directly at the camera which breaks the fourth wall and gives an intimate feel to the video and makes the audience feel as if they are on her side. She licks the spoon  as if she is tasting his demise. 

No comments:

Post a Comment