music video analysis bad romance
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TRANSCRIPT
Music Video
Analysis- By Paris Fielder
Chosen video to analyse
I have chosen to analyse the music video for ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady Gaga, which was the lead release from her EP and
second major release, The Fame Monster (2009).
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gaga confirmed that Francis Lawrence had directed the music video for ‘Bad
Romance’ quoting…
"I knew [Lawrence's] ability as a director is so much higher than
what I could [do]."
Type of video Performance and concept type, slight narrative.
Concept type: she is being kidnapped by supermodels, drugged and sold to a Russian mafia for a million roubles. This video is a
comparison to the music industry and its shady, dark side.
Performance type: Lady Gaga is singing the song and is the victim to the music industry.
Camera work• The shot where she is in the bathtub with wide
eyes is a way of showing her innocence and cleansing that away in preparation to be
swallowed up by the music industry and turning into the Fame Monster, a direct link to the name
of her album.
Camera work• The tracking shot of her surrounded by hanging diamonds and a circle of men show her as an object
to the music industry as the men are deciding whether to sign her.
Camera work• The shot with the computers with bidding figures
represent the music industry because she is performing for the men and they are bidding to
sign her.
Camera work• Extreme close-up of Lady Gaga with minimal
makeup on and crying to show her innocence.
Camera work• Full body shot of Lady Gaga with a silver plant
around her represents her wanting to be the centre of the universe/attention.
Camera work• Towards the end where the man who signed her is
burnt on the bed shows Lady Gaga in control of her career and she later stated in a interview that the
video is about a ‘tough female spirit’.
Editing• Editing used on her eyes to emphasise the
innocence and the phrase ‘wide-eyed’.
Editing• The lyrics…
“I want your love, and all your lovers revenge”
• This is her saying she wants to be part of the music industry, flaws and all and she
wants the jealousy of other artists as well.
Mise en scene• Lady Gaga wearing white clothes in the beginning show her innocence before she is
involved in the music industry…
Mise en scene• They are later replaced by blood red clothing to
emphasise the dark side of the music industry and to show that Lady Gaga is no longer
innocent.
Mise en scene• All costumes were designed by the late
Alexander McQueen.
Mise en scene• Darker, harsher make-up in the shots with the
red costumes show a darker side to Lady Gaga and emphasise on music industry evils.
Mise en scene• Minimal make-up shots show innocence in
Lady Gaga as an artist.
Mise en scene• Bright lighting, indoors setting.
Audience• This music video makes reference to other artists
aiming to be signed and the music industry.
• It appeals to Lady Gaga fans, creative people, eccentric musicians, primarily a young adult
audience as children will not understand hidden messages and it could be too sexualised for
them. Also, adults will find it too bizarre.
Genre•Music•Business•Drugs•Competition