Music video analysis

2. • As the song is called Hollywood the theme of America clearly runs
throughout the video. The mention of ‘American dream’ first off in
the song establishes the theme of the USA which is represented in
colour scheme of red white and blue, stars and stripes of the
American flag. Furthermore the Hollywood culture of paparazzi in the
video links with the lyrics ‘Looking for the golden light’ Inferring they
are setting out for attention, of which the paparazzi gives them, like
majority of Hollywood stars they are kept in the limelight by being
constantly photographed.
• The theme of Hollywood in the lyrics is also shown in the props for
example pom pom’s. Many people will link cheerleading and the
American culture this is an example of the Mise en scene making a
reference to the lyrics.
• As Marina states ‘Obsessed with the mess that’s America’ This video
could be satirising the all American culture by portraying it as
glamorous (grand setting) and fun whereas her lyrics contradict and
infer a deeper meaning. The line ‘Living in a movie scene’ Connotes
dreaming and how the reality of America is maybe different to what
she has shown in the video.

3. The use of mirrors
emphasise the vain
Hollywood lifestyle.
Cheerleaders
and pom poms
represent the
theme of
America. The
colour scheme
is clear in this
shot as well,
red white and
blue runs
throughout.

4. Music
• The genre is pop therefore the video revolves around the main singer Marina. This
also explains the importance of Marina as a brand not just the single. The video
has played on Marina’s good looks with her red lipstick and a lot of close up shots
of Marina posing. Also Marina is subtly sexualised in the video as she appears
innocent in terms of outfit choice, jean shorts and dresses however she’s shown
posing as if in a bed.

5. As Marina is the only
focus in this shot the
viewer is placed in the
position of viewing her in
bed. An example of
voyeurism as the viewer
is put in the position of a
male enjoying her posing
for them.

6. Intertextuality
• Similarities between this video and Katy Perry’s I kissed a girl are evident, as these
were both the first songs released for these pop stars they had to be the main
focus of the video. Both used close up shots of them in a bed. The bright colours
and catching visuals for example decoration and party scenes reflect a typical pop
song. The tempo is quite slow all the way through therefore the video has a slow
motion effect to it with lingering edits, especially in the middle of the song when
the beat slows down so does the length of time in a shot.

7. Marina has taken after
Katy Perry showing
young relatively
innocent looking girls
posing in beds or in
suggestive positions.
Both videos put the
viewer in the position
of a male looking down
on the singers, even
though they look
innocent the birds eye
shot reinforces the
sexualisation as if the
viewer is on top of
them.

8. Genre/ Mise en scene
• Its clear there is a lot going on in this video as it represents a fun
party scene highlighting the grand hollywood lifestyle.
• Mirrors at the beginning reflect the Hollywood culture being self
obsessed with looks. The target audiemce pf young girls shape the
outfit and make up choices for Marina, her denim hotpants
and red lips portray she is a young popstar and has a young
audience.
• The video is clearly aimed at girls, the make up, mirrors, girly outfit
choices present this. For example Marina is seen applying make up
through the mirror at the beginning.
• The video is very vibrant and lively reflecting the genre of pop and
the young target audience. Also the party reaches out to a young
audience who relate with the fun in the video.

9. This shot is very busy
and vibrant
highlighting the fun
going on at the party,
you can imagine a lot
of noise and dancing,
also everyone is
smiling presenting the
fun they’re having.

10. Camera Work
• Marina is clearly the focus of this video, many close up shots of her appear and
she is the only person lip syncing. Any long shots show the party scene and how
much fun everyone around Marina is having in the current setting. Marina is
shown posing in a glamorous Hollywood dress with a trophy, this presents her as a
winner and the focus of her in the shot as important.

11. Voyeurism
• ‘A person who derives sexual gratification from observing the naked bodies or
sexual acts of others, especially from a secret vantage point.’
• The theme of looking does run throughout the video, for example the mirrors at
the beginning emphasise vanity also as Marina seems to pose often throughout
the video as if someone is watching it puts the viewer at the perspective Marina is
posing for them.