Analysis of four music videos relating to my genre of "Glam-Rock"

1. Music video research
Genre: Glam-Rock
Artist, song/link Genre Thoughts
Lady Gaga- Born This Way
(https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=wV1FrqwZyKw)
Pop/Alternative Overall: I like Lady Gaga's
challenging nature. She pushes
the boundaries. I like the
individuality of her work. It's
something completely different
to contemporary culture.
This is instantly recognisable for
my overall genre of “Glam-
Rock” as it's flamboyant and
'different'. You don't always see
this in every-day music videos.
Lady Gaga is an icon, through
her believes and campaigns, to
the LGBTQ community and we
can see this through how 'out-
there' her video is. She is unique
and that is what is liked about
her.
Camera work
Due to the metaphorical story of
aliens etc, various conventions
are played around with. For
example, unusual camera shots
to emphasise the storytelling.
e.g.
Mise-en-Scene
As the video is based in space,
the Mise-en-Scene plays a
HUGE part in the storytelling
with everything 'out of this
world', including unusual
segments of alien-birth and
reproduction. Aside from this,
there is also performance within
the video. This is also
contemporary to enforce the
metaphor behind the song and

2. video.
Although, durations within the
video, Lady Gaga, herself and a
male are seen in Skeleton make-
up and suits. This contrasts to
the original Science-fiction
theme.
Editing
A music video ALWAYS needs
extensive editing it fit in with
various aspects such as lip
syncing, but it also needs to have
'quick' editing to fit in with the
conventions of a music video.
This is not specific to this genre.
This is the case for ALL music
videos. They have to keep the
audience interested and engaged.
Specifically, one of the aspects I
like about the editing in this
video is that it doesn't always
match up or isn't always neat but
matches with Lady Gaga's
eccentric nature.
Sound
Due to the 'Born This Way'
video's cinematic storyline
nature, there is more than just
the artist's single on the video.
From 0:00-2:38 minutes, the
juxtaposition of the orchestral
piece playing under Lady Gaga's
narrative dialogue. This is to
help tell create the tense
atmosphere Lady Gaga wants
you to feel. Having said it is a
juxtaposition, it could be seem
that the agitated orchestral music
helps to emphasise the abrupt
nature of the Science-fiction
theme. This then reaches the
eventual music of the track,
which perfectly matches with
video.
Intertexuality
Critics have noted cultural

3. references to artists such as
Michael Jackson, Madonna,
Björk, late fashion designer,
Alexander McQueen, as well as
Greek Mythology and
surrealism.
Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé-
Telephone
(https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=EVBsypHzF3U)
Pop/Alternative Overall –
I like this video. Although there
are certain aspects of the piece I
feel need to be addressed. For
example, the storyline of th`e
video sees Lady Gaga and
Beyoncé team up, to kill various
males. They're being made to be
viewed as 'bunny boilers' with
their eccentric, yet provocative
clothing and make-up. This, in
my opinion, is faulty as it
sexualises, not only serial
killing, but women in this role.
Showing that if women were to
complete this terrible crime, it
could be somewhat tolerable, as
the video also shows the women
have a right to do it when the
males are being objectificational
to other women within the café
where some of the action is
taking place. While I am
completely against
discrimination of any sort or on
any level, the video can be seen
to be hypocritical as it can be
seen to say, crime can be
punished with crime.
gender identity-nudity
- masculine female prison
guards/ transgenderality/
transsexuality
When the prison officers strip
Lady Gaga naked, they walk
away, with one of them
exchanging: “I told ya she didn't
have a [dick]”. This could lead
to two connotations; the first
being that men would not be
able to enjoy this naked image of

4. her, if she was to have a penis or
that, any female that is seen to
obtain the societal 'correct'
genitalia, is not a 'normal'
female, at all- gender
identity/perceptions.
A fight within the canteen of the
prison is also focused on within
the video. Showing that female's
physically fighting with each
other is something unusual and
you wouldn't expect this as it
isn't 'the norm' for women to
heatedly fight like this.
Genre conventions
This video is instantly
recognisable for the genre. As
previously stated with other
Lady Gaga video, it is
flamboyant and comes up with a
completely original idea and
concept. Lady Gaga is known
for her daring attitude and this
video is no different.
-colourful, eye-catching
-'sassy'
-It can be raised how the male
homosexual community look up
to these artists, without being
attracted to them.
-Or perhaps how these artists are
representing a minority in the
industry and they feel they are
'owning' it for them.
Camera work
Different to Lady Gaga's last
video I analysed, this video is set
completely on planet Earth, in
America. Therefore, the camera
work used is similar to that of a
normal music video. The video
starts off with various
establishing shots to show to
high-security prison Lady Gaga
has been taken to. e.g.

5. (the above is a high-angled
establishing shot)
There are also examples of
panning shots of the other
female prisoners as they watch
in their cells. Said females can
also appear to be physically
attractive, some undertaking
sexual implied mannerisms or
gestures, further implying the
objectification of female
prisoners. Playing up the gender
theories within media. Perhaps
this could be an unusual fantasy
of a male, and therefore, they
could, as Judith Butler said,
watch this video both

6. voyeristically, and fetishistically,
gaining pleasure from seeing
women in this societal position.
This is further exemplified with
Lady Gaga's nudity and when
she is seen to spontaneously kiss
another attractive tom-boy
looking female. Perhaps a
similar situation to adult-films
they watch in their own time.
Throughout the video,
dismemberment can be seen.
This further expands my point
around the idea of selling the
idea that women that commit
crime are 'sexy'...

7. Mise-en-scene
The video is set around Beyoncé
bailing Lady Gaga out of prison
therefore, includes everything
that you would traditionally
associate with this situation, e.g.
prison surroundings, a 'get-away'
car,a desert road and a diner they
visit to continue their crime(s).
Costume/make-up- One of the
aspects of the mise-en-scene I
feel does not conform to the
situation of prison/crime, is the
choice of clothing and make-up
(high-end fashion within a
prison/couture), not only by
Lady Gaga and Beyoncé but
some of the characters within the
prison. For example:

8. All of the above costumes and
make-up, in a realistic prison,
would most likely, not be worn
or allowed.
Once Lady Gaga exits the
prison, herself and Beyoncé
travel down a desert road to a
diner, in the 'Pussy Waggon' (star
appeal/synergy?), made famous
from Quentin Tarantino's 1994
film, 'Pulp Fiction', where they
continue to commit their crimes.
Again, here, their choice of
clothing is questionable within
the situation as you wouldn't

9. expect people who have just
been released from prison and
their accompaniment to be
wearing such extravagant
clothing. e.g.

10. Editing
The editing techniques within
the video are similar to those of
any other music video, although,
perhaps, due to the short film
nature of the music video, some
elements are different to
effectively tell the story. For
example, a music video is
normally fast-paced, and while
this is, the beginning sets the
story up for the viewer and
therefore has to be allowed time
to develop. Thus, why the song
does not start until roughly 2
minutes 47 seconds.

11. There are certain instances
where the edit coincides with
what is happening on screen or
in the track. For example, Lady
Gaga takes photos of Beyoncé,
the screen is seen flashing, like it
would if the flashlight came on
during a photo. Also, the beat in
the song jitters, the image is
made to do the same.
Sound
As raised above, the video is a
short film and therefore, uses
sound other than the track to tell
the story. For example, using
dialogue, and 'everyday' sound
(shoes clipping on the floor,
ringing telephones, doors
shutting, alarms, fingers on
laptop keyboards, car engine,
tinned radio/speaker voices etc).
Intertexuality
-Thelma and Louise- serial
killers who travelled around in a
ford convertible
-Pussy Wagon
-Pulp Fiction- gore/violence-
suggesting women could be as
violent
Kylie Minogue- Can't Get You
Out Of My Head
(https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=c18441Eh_WE)
Pop/Dance Overall
This is a performance music
video that heavily incorporates
various features of the Glam-
Rock genre. For example, a
strong female figure and
flamboyant backing dancers,
wearing daring outfits, all to a
backdrop of computer-generated
scenary.
Camera work
Unlike the last two videos, this
very much so is like a 'normal'
music video; and therefore the
camera work is nothing
extravagant, it uses a range, such

12. as establishing, panning, low-
angled, mid-shots and close-ups-
These help to enforce Kylie's
strong persona.
Mise-en-scene
The video seems to be set in a
future reality, where most
aspects are robot-generated.
Therefore, this is enforced
through the computer-generated
setting or high-definition studio,
clothing, props, make-up, hair
styles and choreography. For
example:
(setting)
(clothing/setting)
flamboyant backing dancers/
clothing/ choreography
Editing
Editing is completed to reflect

13. the tempo of the song during
certain parts. For example, when
the tempo is fast, the pace of the
video seems to speed up.
Wherein, the beat slows, slow-
motion visuals are seen.
Sound
Unlike the previous analysed
videos, the sound for this is
straight-forward. It is all digetic
sound. In other words, the only
sound you can hear is the track,
with Kylie lip syncing to it.
Intertextuality
The director, Dawn Shadforth
blocked some shots of the initial
driving scene based upon similar
shots of Shirley Manson piloting
an aeroplane in her award-
winning dogfight clip for
Garbage’s “Special”.
Kylie Minogue- In Your Eyes
(https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=IbO2mb_sYsA)
Pop/Dance Overall
I really like the disco/dance
concept of this video. The
electro-pop vibe is showcased
through various aspects, such as
the mise-en-scene, camera work,
editing and of course, sound.
Again, this follows the
conventions of the genre, as it is
colourful, yet sultry and
sophisticated.
Camera work
In my opinion, the camera work
reflects the busy, agitating,
overwhelming feel of the song.
The song is a dance hit and this
can certainly be seen through the
distorted and quick shots. This
camera work helps to enforce the
common sense of euphoria that
comes with dance tracks of this
type. For example:
(note: close-up of Kylie's lips-
both voyeuristic and fetishistic.
Also how the screen splits into

14. three)
(The same could be said for this
close-up shot of her head)
(You can't quite make out what
is happening here. That is what
the director wants you to feel)

15. (The director seems to
use various filters to disorientate
the viewer)
See here how the backing dancer
jitters:
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/
6825976
The performance on screen also
seems to blend with the vibrant/
neon lights throughout too (This
could cross over with Mise-en-
scene)...

16. As the video finishes, Kylie is
seen close-up to the camera
before it moves away, showing a
crane shot of her, before moving
up and the video finishes.
Mise-en-scene
The aspects of Mise-en-Scene
work together with all the other
elements to produce a funky and
energetic music video. For
example, as previously
mentioned, the fluorescent
backing lights, pictured:

17. work with the brightly coloured
costumes to make the video
visually appealing. e.g shown
above and:
(note how the colours work well
together)

18. Here, the backing dancers are
wearing what seem to be
futuristic costumes. Works in
partnership with the both
fluorescent/bright and sultry
lighting.
Here, the light flashes with the
beat:
which you can see here:
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/
6825949
Here, Kylie is seen to be wearing
a flowing dress that seems to be
made of literal strips of material
covering only her front body and
derrière.
She is seen here to 'punch' the
camera wearing a 'Kylie' finger
piece. This is to establish, to her

19. target audience, who she is, if we
didn't know already. Very similar
to 'sassy' greetings that are
stereotypical with female divas.
e.g. “It's Britney, bitch”
She also during a shot, is seen
wearing a black corset w with a
long, flowing pink tail coming
from the back of her pink pants:
Editing
Editing is completed to reflect
the tempo of the song during
certain parts. For example, when
the tempo is fast, the pace of the
video seems to speed up.
Wherein, the beat slows, slow-
motion visuals are seen.
The visuals within the video
move neatly move around the
bass- it seems floaty, in a sense.
Sound
The song is a disco genre and
therefore involves various
elements to create a euphoric
feeling for the listener. For
example, the track includes tinny
sounding layered vocals and
dance-style beat and bass.
Intertextuality
Dawn Shadforth, the previous
director of Kylie’s “Can’t Get
You Out of My Head”, for this
video, envisioned a “science-
fiction” theme. Kylie and her
artistic director, William Baker
had become interested in the
street interpretation of robotic,
jerky movements and included

20. that within this video. The
costumes also represent this
interest and have been described
by Baker as being a mixture of
“hip-hop chic with sci-fi
lunacy”.
White- Blush
(https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=D1u1bZkGk4E)
Indie-pop Overall- I like this video. I
personally feel it has a similar
feel to my chosen track- glam-
rock and makes you want to
dance. The glamourous-rock is
showcased through various
aspects, not only the musical
hooks but the mise-en-scene is
captivating, mysterious and
attractive.
Camera work
Within the video, I see many
instances of continuous shots,
where the camera moves around
the action rather than cutting
between edited shots. Almost
like it’s a POV shot.
The camera is also shaky in
parts, further exemplifying the
video is POV.
The camera closes-up and mid-
shots on the band and relevant
aspects, such as the protagonists
involved. Seen here:

21. Throughout the video, double-
vision and distortion is also
depicted through the camera
work, seen below; This could
imply drug-use of the video’s
POV subject.
Overlapping of moving image is
also present. Further implying
the POV subject is disorientated.
E.g.

22. The camera closes-up and mid-
shots on the band and relevant
aspects, such as the protagonists
involved. Seen here:

23. Throughout the video, double-
vision and distortion is also
depicted through the camera
work, seen below; This could
imply drug-use of the video’s
POV subject.
Overlapping of moving image is
also present. Further implying
the POV subject is disorientated.
E.g.
The camera also spins to further
disorientate.
The pace of the video then
speeds up as it implies the POV
subject, is reaching the climax of
substance consumption. We then
are made aware that the POV is
of one of the protagonists
featured throughout the video.
The camera then moves from the
disorientation, to panning away
from the protagonist’s eyes/face
to him being stood, with some
sort of abstract pattern painted
on his face, next to five letter
balloons, spelling out ‘BLUSH’,
the name of the song.

25. Mise-en-Scene
The mise-en-scene for this video
is straight-forward. It seems the
director wanted a dark colour
scheme to the video. Hence why
the camera work is very dark.
Location- The video seems to
have been shot in an
underground venue. As that is
perhaps what the director wanted
to create the aesthetic and
atmosphere.
Clothing/ costume- This, unlike
my previous music video, is
straightforward. The extras,
protagonist(s) and band all seem
to be wearing smart-casual
clothing. The only clothing item
that is different is the sparkly
jacket that the female
protagonist is wearing. The male
protagonist, at the end of the
video, is seen wearing an
abstract pattern upon his face
with face paint.
Editing- The video begins with
a static screen, thought-beating
to the music, then progressing to
spell out “WHITE”.
There are various elements of
the editing that help to convey
the video’s story. For example,
as previously mentioned,
double-vision and distortion is
used. This is to portray the POV
subject as intoxicated by
substances. This is completed
through after effects.

26. Several of the video’s shots seem
to be continuous. This purposely
been emphasised through the
editing process.
The camera, throughout the
video, also jitters, like speakers.
This again, are thought-beats;
emphasising the rhythm.
Shots such as Close-ups, mid-
shots are used when focusing on
the band themselves. This is to
stress the focus of the band as it
is their video and fans want to
see them.