music video analysis bad romance

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