Analysis ofAnalysis ofLady Lady GagaGaga

Just DanceJust Dancehttp://www.youtube.cohttp://www.youtube.co

m/watch?m/watch?v=2Abk1jAONjw&ob=av=2Abk1jAONjw&ob=a

v2e v2e

By Demi O’SheaBy Demi O’Shea

Lady GagaLady Gaga stormed onto the pop music scene in 2008, she had worked with many artists before this, many of them egging her on to make her own album, Akon signed her to his record label and The Fame was released in 2008. Lady Gaga is known for her mysterious personality and wild fashion statements. This is reflected in her music and music videos.

Lady Gaga V’s Katy Perry

Both say they just want to

have FUN!!

Both can sing live Do Mostly sexualised or party music

content

Unique

Both Have a Wacky

Fashion Sense

Both Modern

Both Pop Artists

Pop Conventions of a Music Video

• Colourful• Close-up of artist – shows

innocence• Fun and Light hearted• Appeals to younger target

audience• Shows artists/band involved in

dance routines• Good mood – location – happy

e.g. a beach/ friends house• Teenage scenario (having a

crush)

• Video is usually narrative• Repetition of the chorus visually• Musical instruments• Change of costume• Singer looks at camera• Miming to the lyrics• Flattering camera angles and shots• Change of locations• Edits cut on the beat

Performance of the song:Performance of the song:The singer features in the video as the main character. She also dances alone and with a group of dancers. No live performance is used in this music video, and usually isn't used in the pop genre for music videos. The roles of the characters is to be party members and to dance and do actions that people do when they are drunk. This montage of footage seems to be a abstract collection of images and footage, but in a mini-film of a party.

Song:The song is about a girl (Lady Gaga) in a club who seems to be drunk and doesn’t understand what is going on around her or what is happening. She is reassuring herself to just dance as it seems like the only likely possibility in order for her to make sense of the madness of this party. The male character in this song however understands what is happening but can’t find any fault in the situation as he is enjoying himself and believes the other people around him are too. The song is addressed to the artist herself, she seems to be reassuring herself by giving instructions out loud of what she should do next and telling her self what is happening around her. The title Just Dance is repeated throughout the song and is an instruction for the artist of what she should be doing. The genre of this video is pop music; this can be seen by the match of the conventions in the last slide and the still shots in the rest of the slide. The song is not emotional it is instructional and clear to the point; which allows the audience to understand why the artists is doing what she is doing in the music video and saying what she saying in the song. This song is a fun, easy to dance and listen to song; it appeals to the target audience who would listen to it in a club, most likely to be drunk also, therefore will listen to the instruction and dance to it.

‘Just Dance’

Dance suggests the freeness of the singers

soul

Free from worries

Relaxed

CalmThe two words keep it simple and making the audience want to

dance because it sounds simple

The word ‘Just’ suggests that it is

something that comes easy to the

singerFun

The establishing Shot is a medium Shot – as a opening shot, this allows the audience to view a large intake of surroundings before the song has begun.

The stereo, records and wallpaper suggest the era that this song was made – which is wrong because it’s a modern track but suggests its from a past era, this may be because the artist Lady Gaga likes this era of music and wishes she was apart of the hip hop era in the music industry. This can also be seen as the actress is wearing a dated costume.

The face of this actress is not clear, she does look like Lady Gaga, in her fashion and figure however the

dark sunglasses only keeps the audience guessing.

The dark sunglasses in doors suggests to the audience that this artist may be slightly divaish.The strength that she uses to carry this stereo also suggests the power of the artist. The dark clothes

in contrast to the cups and

wallpaper etc also suggests the power of the music/ artist.

The lighting of this shot is reflective of the setting, a lit house, however it is noticeably brighter by the actress, which just focuses the audience eye

on this character. The lighting is remaining realistic in this shot.

The actress appears in this shot from a black background, placing the stereo on the table, her movement is strong and suggests to the audience that this is Lady Gaga as she authority and places the stereo where she feels is necessary.

Camerawork seems hand held, as it wobbles in this shot, this adds to the setting as it seems like a house party and this could be a group of friends films a party they are having, this directly relates to the target audience, of teenagers having a party and how they would see it if they were at this party.

This shot is silent only the stereo being placed on the table is heard, this suggests the stereo/music is going to be the main feature of this music video.

Extreme Close up of a female hand and stereo being pressed on the ‘play’ button, this suggests to the audience that this button being pressed is significant, almost dramatically in the fact that the audience is watching this clip to listen and watch a music video, therefore it is already known that the music is significant but this shot is empathising the significance.

A leather glove is being worn on a female hand; the era in which the video is set in is when equal rights were not get established fully, and leather is seen to be a rich and powerful material, for a women to wear this also empathises the strength and power either this music or artist will have on the audience.

Although the shot is dark in colour because of the black stereo and back glove, there are hints of Red, Green and Blue colours, these colours are suggestive of the fun that this video may bring.

The glove is a interesting costume choice, as it is iconic for being warn by Michael Jackson, which could suggest the artist is putting herself on a par with Michael Jackson or she is doing it to honour him, or she wants to be seen as a legend just like him, within the music industry.

Match on action is used as the edit between the

last shot and this shot this technique is used to

enhance the stereo and play button being pressed.

The only sound heard is the click of the play button, this empathises the music being the main feature of this music video.

The beat kicks in when the car moves, cars are associated with speed, therefore giving the audience the impression that the song is going to be up tempo.

From the last shot to this shot the clips are editing using a technique called Jump Cut, the location of the music video has significantly changed, this could suggests that the video is going to keep the audience on their ‘toes’ which is a pun for the title of the song just dance.

The camera work is steady whilst the car moves closer to shot. The medium shot allows the audience to view and take it the change of setting.

In this shot the car has very bright lights, that look like stars, including the street lamps, this could add to the artists seeing themselves as a star in the music industry. This is also empathised by the darkness of the location and the car only being lit up by the lights that look like stars, which could also suggest the idea that like this car, the music video would not of been made or seen without the lights or star (being Lady Gaga) making it is what it is.

The music has started and the women seen in this still shot moves her head in time with the music suggesting that the music is being played in the same location as the car.

Cross cutting is being used the from shot to shot, as the locations change it is noticeable that the two will connect later on in the video.

The camera is using close up shots of this group of people as a POV, it seems as if the audience are no longer a on looked they are now being joined in as part of the party, however are the only ones awake and moving in this shot.

The male and female characters are passed out, as if this is the end of the party, this is also suggested by the wine bottle having a top on it and everyone is sleeping. They look warn out which suggests to the audience that the party was fun and so will this song be.

Both characters are fully dressed and make up is on perfectly which might suggest the party hasn’t started they are ready and waiting for it to start happening but that does make sense with the closed bottle of wine. This leaves the audience un sure on the state of the

characters and what is about to happen.

The lighting is bright to show the audience the state of the characters but it is unclear of the time of day as it is in a house, this lighting could be false.

The car moves closer to the camera as a medium shot is established, before stopping for the audience to have full direct view of the legs coming out of the car. This suggests the ‘party have arrived’ and Lady Gaga is in the car ready in time for the beat to drop. This implies the strength of character that Lady Gaga has and her presence at this party will change the dull sleepiness seen before in the last

shot. The movement of the women in the last shot moving her head in time with the beat is followed by the same movement of the car.

Editing is continued with the cross cutting between the two scenes and locations.

There is a bright light focused on the feet outside of the car window empathises this character is the power of the party and will change everything that has been seen up until this point.

The white clean car adds to the to the characters persona of being powerful as she now looks rich.The black shoes also look expensive, and the position of the legs suggests the power of the character.

Cross Cut Editing is used again but is starting to interlink with each other as the location has changed but the shoes and legs are seen again, this time walking over bodies, this again implies the strength and power of the character, also the control in which the character has over this party.

A stereo is seen again in the right hand corner, suggests this character is Lady Gaga and with her she brings the power of the music.

The medium shot is used through a tracking shot following the character which the audience/fans do to Lady Gaga.

The rubbish surrounding this location empathises the expensive shoes in this

shot adding to the strength of the character. The feet being the main

feature compliments the title of the song as feet are used to dance.

The light is again focused only on the feet of the character and empathises the dance that is going to be taking place later on in the music video.

From the last shot to these next two shots the continuity editing is used, suggesting the audience that this video is in fact a mini film and the story line focuses around Lady Gaga herself.

Three shot is used to show Lady Gaga and her two dancers walking towards a house. The shot from behind invites the audience to join Lady Gaga in entering the house. The front view shot shows the characters and there authority.

In both shots the lights are directed on the Lady Gaga, but the house is

also lit up with red, green and yellow lights, linking in with the second

shot seen where these colours were used inside of a house. The pink coat adds to Lady Gaga’s limelight, making her

the focus of the audiences eye. This colour is also very bright and associated with the pop music conventions, it makes it fun, and leaves the audience anticipating for more fun.

The character on the right of Lady Gaga in the second shot is holding some kind of music instrument suggesting they will be apart of Lady Gagas music.

Lady Gaga’s stance in these shots also suggest her authority and that later become the reasoning for why she can hand out instructions and others will listen, because she is very strong and powerful .

The dark sunglasses in the dark suggests to the audience that this artist may be slightly divaish.

Panning shot is used to establish this scene, the Medium long shot reveals to the audience the scene which Lady Gaga is about to enter and liven up with her song.

Cross cut editing is again used to show the difference between both the characters in the house, and the characters entering the house.

The scene looks like a average place for a bathroom, but the character looks bizarre, with a animal mask on his head, and no t-shirt. The continuity is leaving the audience confused if these scenes are before or after Lady Gaga enters the house.

Again the light is focused on the character to capture the audiences eye to see this bizarre image of a man assed out on a toilet with a animal mask on .

The first vocal is heard in this shot, suggesting the beginning of the party as Lady Gaga takes her place.

Medium shot is used to highlight the fact that the

character is Lady Gaga and is no longer being judged by

her feet.

The dark sunglasses in side suggests to the audience that this artist may be slightly divaish.

Lady Gaga’s stance in these shots also suggest her authority and that later become the reasoning for why she can hand out instructions and others will listen, because she is

very strong and powerful .The pink coat adds to Lady Gaga’s limelight, making her the focus of the audiences eye. This colour is also very bright and associated with the pop music conventions, it makes it fun, and leaves the audience anticipating for more fun.

The bright colours are being used again within the black and white and dull background, anticipating there is fun to come. These colour hints are becoming more bolder suggesting that the audience are getting closer to the fun that is about to come.

The glove is a interesting costume choice, as it is iconic for being warn by Michael Jackson, which could suggest the artist is putting herself on a par with Michael Jackson or she is doing it to honour him, or she wants to be seen as a legend just like him, within the music industry.

The decks and records are used again which highlights the era that this music video is set in, this again

suggests Lady Gaga associates dance with the hip hop era and her music video surrounds this idea.

Again the light is focused on the character to capture the audiences eye to see the glove.

This clip is the one that unites the beginning sequel to the rest of the montage of clips that connect to make the music video. The long shot, and direct lighting on

Lady Gaga and partial lighting on the lady on the right, allows the audience to take in the details of the same shot that was seen in the first shot with the girl on the right placing down the stereo, it has now been determined that this character

is not Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga presents herself as a women of high status or power, she stands with perfect pose, and takes off her jacket. The red of the jacket, highlights to the audience that this character could possibly have a mysterious side. Placing this shot early on in the music video, means the

audience will want to stick around to unveil Lady Gaga’s personal qualities.

Lady Gaga through out this music video, has many jump shots of this scene intertwined with her other footage, it works well with the conventions of a pop music, as Lady Gaga is

singing to camera and addressing her audience. The costume is in direct contrast with the background, they both speak two different generations, possibly one where Lady Gaga is and the other where she wishes she was. She does use the Medium close up shot to do

strange things with her hands and the microphone, this adds to the madness of montage images seen throughout the video. Note the cloves of Michael Jackson are being seen again. Lighting is directed at Lady Gaga as it is all most been set up as a private viewing room for

the audience.

This is another shot where you see Lady Gaga singing directly to camera, which is apart of the pop music genre for music videos. The close up shot restricts Lady Gaga’s flamboyant character , so the exaggerated make up, coat and nail varnish

express her personality in subtle manner. The light shines on her directly, however it does not look artificial which keeps her looking youthful, this appeals

to her target market. These shots are also cut in as a montage of images that create this music video.

This selected shots has the same mise en scene as the last but with different angles and shots, these selected four consist of medium close up shots, medium

long shots and long shots along with low angle shots, tracking and panning shots. Each give a different effect towards the audience but because of the quick pace jump cuts, some of this shots are almost unrecognisable. The lighting looks natural however in some there is a clear distinctive spot light used, this gives the

audience a direct like of vision as to where and what Lady Gaga is doing. The props used, a couch and wine bottle are two objects commonly found at a house

party. The movement of Lady Gaga along with her clothing and make up, are outrageous and different, these are elements of her personality that its shown in

this way to express to the audience of her personality.

These shots are from a dance scene, that takes place at the house party, although this is a generic technique used in pop music videos it is also something that would be seen at a party, people dancing. The shots are simple long shots, to show the location, Lady Gaga and the back up dancers. Again these shots are intertwined with all the other shots seen in this slideshow, with the use of quick pace

jump cuts on the beat of the music. A spot light is being shone directly at Lady Gaga, with the natural lighting used again as it is a house party.

The dance movements are strong and rebellious, something that notall pop singers use in there videos. Along with most other pop dances, all dancers usually wear similar things,

and that happens in this case with the different feature of Lady Gaga’s dress being a corset that looks like a disco ball. The final shot of this series of events is a medium shot of the back of Lady Gaga in a strong stance holding a wine bottle, this shot shows to the audience that Lady Gaga is a strong character who cannot be phased by what is going on around her.

These are the shots that the audience see of the two featuring artists on this track; Colby O’Donis and Akon they are surrounded by the madness of the party

but are both smart and formally dressed in suits. The shots are also jump cut within the music video, however they usually consist of the longest clips shown as they are signing to camera, either in a medium close up shot or medium long

shot. The shots show the direct madness in contrast with the singers themselves. The spot light is shone directly the singers this just highlights the location of the singer as there is a lot of madness around them. They are not seen in the same

shot clearly however they are sitting directly in each others places.

These two shots are cut into the music video towards the end of the video, of Lady Gaga in a paddling pool with other people and by herself. Her movement shows her as a sexual character, weather it be with men

women or animals. The lighting is again shone directly towards the singer, this is there to highlight her actions and movement. These shots are all medium shots, jump cut and intertwined with the rest of the music

video shots.

This scene is shown throughout the music video, consisting of the artist dancing, singing and moving, both directly at

camera and not. The spot light remains directed at Lady Gaga, as she is the star of

this video. These movements are again very sexualised, which is a reflection of

Lady Gaga. Her outfit adds to this as she has her legs out and her bra can be seen,

which also looks like a disco ball. The different camera angles, are inconsistent like Lady Gaga; close up, medium close

up, medium shot, medium long shot, long shot and two shot. Again these shots are

intertwined with the other shots of the music video, jump cut, cut on the beat.

Along with many other talents, Lady Gaga can play the piano, her

performances usually consist of her playing the piano therefore I think it is

very fitting that this features in her video.

Lady Gaga does not sit for her performance when playing the piano on this music video, she takes a strong stance adding to the strength of her music video. The black and white compliments her outfit making her look almost smart and formal.

The shots consist of medium shots, and close up shots, all showing off the

use of the piano. This shots are grouped together but are slightly

intertwined with the other shots, and edited using jump cuts.

These shots are intertwined throughout the music video of the dancing at the party, some of the shots also have Lady Gaga featuring in this, 3 of the 4 shots I have taken out of the music video feature a disco ball, weather it be apart of her

bra, or Lady Gaga holding a large or small disco ball, it shows that it is the essence of a pop party. The shots are jump cut into the music video, consisting of close up, medium close up, medium shot, medium long shot, group shots and two

shots. All of the shots show clearly where Lady Gaga is though the use of spot light directed towards her. The movement is different but strong, similar to Lady

Gaga’s personality.

This is the only shot that shows Lady Gaga with one of the other artists featuring on the track. It clearly shows Lady Gaga as the stronger of the two, as she sits higher than him. However she still looks sexualised as her legs are on

show and her disco ball bra can still be seen. This shot is very different from the other shots seen also looks unnatural, as the spot light is shown on both Akon and Lady Gaga. The green cup, which seems more like a chalice, in this case is in great contract to the black and white outfit worn by Lady Gaga, the white suit of Akon, black settee and white painted walls. This is a Medium two shot that in

edited in the music video using jump cut.

Throughout the duration of this music video, jump cuts are used as thebeat is fast. As I looked through the film I found over 70 different shots where neither Lady Gaga or the other artists featuring in this film could be seen. Shot types varied, from ECU, BCU, CU, MCU, MS, MLS, LS, ELS, two shot and wide shot. I have shown some examples of the shots, they look random however they are all put there for a reason, to create the mad atmosphere that is needed for this song. Highlights of this madness may be the old lady with old millennium classes on, or a man wearing a animal head. However the use of realistic images seen at parties are also visible, from the shot of the stereo, couples kissing, people eating and dancing to people taking a photo of someone taking a photo of them. These images are used to allow this scene to be relatable for the audience, and also to give reason to Just Dancing.