The document provides an in-depth analysis of visual shots and imagery in Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" music video. It analyzes themes of fairy tales, relationships, manipulation, and power dynamics. Key points made include: 1) The opening shots establish a fairy tale theme but also imply relationships are complex and not simple. Dark skies contradict the fairy tale aspect. 2) Taylor is depicted in positions of power and authority over her lovers through angles, surroundings, and costumes. However, the cycle of relationships shown suggests they are repetitive and she remains heartbroken. 3) Imagery like a poisoned apple imply Taylor has a dark side and tries to manipulate and control her partners. Shots analyze how

1. Blank space (Taylor Swift) evaluation;
These particular shots at the beginning had a consistent fairy tale theme and created an
unrealistic atmosphere of her relationship, it could be argued that she is implying that all of
her own and other individuals relationships are seen as a fairy tale and a farfetched dream at
the beginning. The establishing shot at the beginning shows a grand castle that would be
every girls dream however the dark and gloomy background of the sky contradicts the fairy
tale aspect suggesting that not everything is simple and as it seems. The second picture is a
pan shot of a car, there is a man stepping out of the car in this shot which hints that he is an
important character within the music video as he is the first person we see, it then gives the
impression that he is in a relationship with Taylor. As there is fog in this shot it connotes that
their relationship isn’t simple and can get very confusing at some points, however it also
gives an element of mystery of Taylor due to the fog being near the front door of her castle
this suggests that by the man entering her life “castle” everything becomes confusing and
unclear. The first shot can be seen as a watching shot and put together with the second shot
shows that from an outsider’s perspective it can look like a loving and a legendary
relationship, however it is not the case as when we come closer the castle the fog becomes
severe and it is as if you can see the complications arise. The third shot shows Taylor on a
bed with enchanted horses beside her and an all-white room with chandelier lamps whilst
she sits on a four poster white bed wearing a black outfit. The chandeliers show the
grandness of her personality, as she is wearing the black outfit it challenges the
surroundings it proposes that she is trying to come across as something she’s not (sweet,
heavenly, innocence and purity). Also as the image is unrealistic it suggests that she dreams
of the perfect relationship however, as she is wearing black it symbolises she is an inner evil
and aloof. Despite experts say that women who wear black implies submission to men which
is supported by her deep red lipstick which shows she is seductive and suggests love. Black
also suggests that she has power and authority within life, this is supported by Taylor sitting
on high four poster bed which supports her having authority. The fourth shot again implies
that she lives in her own bubble of living in a fairy tale due to the reputation of the horse and
the chandelier. Also the shot is a close up of the horse and the chandelier which shows the
severity of how she wants everything to be perfect and special.
The first shot shows Taylor at the top of a dark staircase, the lighting looks as though it has
an ombre affect as its light at the top of the stair case and darker at the bottom. This could
either suggests that she becomes evil and vindictive when entering a relationship or that her

2. relationships don’t work and ends quickly due to the darkened light starting quite far up the
staircase. Also due to the staircase being grand it suggests that she over the top when in a
relationship. The second shot shows Taylor walking down the staircase in a slow and
seductive way, this proposes she is trying to impress the boy and considering she is calm
and collected suggests she has done this many times before. Again the colour of her black
dress connotes she is dark, mysterious and powerful, the lace material again shows
seduction. The third shot in a focus close up shot where the background is blurred and the
focus is purely on Taylor swift this is almost like she has put a spell on the boy and he is
fixated on her. Also by having a close up enables us as an audience member to see the
determination on her face. The fourth and final shot shows her from a side point of view
which looks like she is inviting him to her dark side, the bright light above her head connoted
she is heavenly which could again be an outsider’s point of view.
These three images show that during this specific music video Taylor swift has high
expectations due to the grandness of the different locations (outstanding dining room, huge
ballroom and a massive mansion). Within image one you can see many props such as red
roses, golden candle stick, plenty of food and a large chair similar to the queen’s throne. The
props suggest wealth, fortune and power; it also implies she uses this high status to get what
she wants. The red roses imply Taylor is a hopeless romantic and loves to be impressed,
also as Taylor is sitting on a throne like chair it is signifying she thinks she is better than
everybody else and believes she has large amounts of power. However you could interpret
the shot differently, for example due to expensive objects blocking Taylors view meaning she
has to peak beside the golden candle stick to be seen. This suggests that people see her
fortune before seeing her individual significance, therefore implying she gets used for her
wealth. The second picture shows Taylor and her current love interest in an outstanding
ballroom with a gold clock, the clock entails that everything ends during time therefore the
clock foreshadows what is later o come within the video. As it is only they in the ballroom it
infers that she doesn’t need anyone but him, also as it is empty it gives the impression that
all Taylor wants is to find love. Due to the high beam ceilings and gold characteristics in the
room it again implies that Taylor has high expectations from her relationships. This full shot
shows the two lovers looking into each other’s eyes and as the male character is wearing
white it connotes that he is an angel in her eyes and is a heavenly figure. Both of the first
images have very low lighting suggesting that everything is closing in, again implying that
their happiness is running out of time. The last image shows the male character wearing a
cape which insinuates he is her super hero also as he has 2 vicious looking dogs it supports
the idea of him being Taylor’s protector, however as the star struck lovers are wearing
matching outfits it suggests that they are a team. The house colour juxtaposes the image as
yellow symbolises happiness and friendliness which is the complete opposite of the image of
the two walking away with viscous dogs. The sky in the third image is overcast, dark and
gloomy which again is opposite to house colour. As the sky is above the two individuals it is
almost giving the sense that their relationship has no hope.

3. All of the shots to the sidehave a fairy tale
atmosphere as there aremany closeups of the red
applewhich key feature in the fairy-talesnowwhite.
In snow white the applelater becomes poisonous
due to the evil witch, the lastimage correspondingly
implies the appleis poisonous as heis spittingthe
same appleout that Taylor is holdingwhich conveys
she is the poison.Also as Taylor Swift is wearingall
black and red lips it notonly helps emphasisethat
she is the evil witch/ villain itinsinuates sheis trying
to be seductive which indicates thatshe is tryingto
manipulatehimto stay. Images one and two are
closeups of Swift, this allows us to see her malicious
facial expressions. The background of these shots
the background isn’twhite it is a lightgrey which
indicates thatshe isn’tpure and that she has a dark
pastwith relationships.The third and fourth shots
are combined as itis implying shows the apple
acting likea ‘voodoo doll’as whatactions shedoes
to the applehappens to her other half implying she
has full control of her relationshipsand thatshe can
causean individual any amounts pain.
These imagesshowTaylorhavingahigherauthority/power
comparedto herothercurrent lover.The firstshot isa highangle
shotwhichimpliesshe iscontrollinganddominantovermen.
Howeverconsideringthere isasteal gate aroundher suggeststhat
she has herguard up at all timeswhichcontradictsthe medias
viewonhereasilyfallinginlove. Thisimage moreoversuggests
that she believesshe isagoddessasthe highangle lookslike asan
audience we’re lookinguptoher and admiringher.Thisscene also
remindsme of the classicfairytalesof Romeoand Julietand
Rapunzel due toherwaitingonher currentloverat a balcony.The
secondshotis an overthe shouldershotthatshowsTaylorlooking
downon herbeloved,asthe shotisfroma far itallowsthe
scenerytobe visible,asthere isa maze like image behindthe male
character it suggeststhatithas takenhima while tofindthe real
her.As well asthisas there isa lot of greeneryisimpliesthatthis
relationshipisnatural.Lastlythe lastimage show the twoof them
havinga beautiful moment,itisalmostaswe weren’tsupposedto
see thismoment(Voyeurism)

4. The firsttwo shotsare longshotswhichshow TaylorSwiftstandingona horse and ontop of
hercurrent boyfriend thisobviouslysuggeststhatshe feelslike she haswonandisvictorious,
alsoin the secondpicture yousee TaylorSwiftdoingthe symbols of an‘X’whichemphasises
that she has a longlistof ex-loverswhichisthe line thatissangwhenthisshotis shown.Also
inthat shot the fogbehindthemhasdecreasedindicatingthatthe fantasyhasendedandthe
visionisrealistic.The lastshotshowsa cake thatshe stabstheninturn bloodcomesout,the
gripon the knife suggeststhatshe doesn’tthinklove isforthe lighthearted.Similarlyasthere
isbloodcomingout isconnotesthatshe is heartbroken,butdue toherstabbingthe knife it
impliesthatshe causedherownheartbreak.The coloursof the image white andred are
complete contrasts;redconnotesdanger,lustandenvywhereaswhite signifiespurity,
innocence andshyness.
The last scenesare repetitionsof the firstshots,thishelpsindicate that
herrelationshipsare arepetitive cycle.Alsoasshe iswearingthe same
blackdressand make up itcouldbe saidthat she mournsherprevious
loveras if she isa widower.Forthe durationof hermusicvideoshe has
alreadyhadtwo loversappearather doorstep,thisindicatesthat she
believesshe isirresistibleasmenare queuingupat herdoor. Againas
the camera isat a pointof view shot and the backgroundisblurredout
it connotesshe isconstantlyputtingmenunderaspells.
In conclusionthisisanarrative/amplifiedmusicvideoasthe visual matchthe lyricsand
certainactionshelpemphasisethe meaningof the song,overall Ibelieve TaylorSwiftwas
tryingto representarealistic21st
centuryfairytale romance.Howeverthismusicvideowasa
response tobadpressas the mediawasconstantlysayingshe hashada lotof relationships;it
isas thoughshe ismakinga mockeryoutof herself.