MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSISJust Dance- Lady Gaga

This shot highlights the celebrity image Lady Gaga has. The white limo contrast to the surrounding blackness and the focus of the light Is on the stiletto heels relaxed on the window. Demonstraighting the laid back vibe of Lady Gaga, but at the same time outrageous and unconventional.

The conventional cliché of a pop star and her “posse” is shown in this shot. Again the contrast of colours highlights the bold image of the artist in comparison to her companions who blend into the background

The close up shot and direct mode of address introduces the audience to the main feature of the video, Lady Gaga. The bright bold colours of her nails and lightning bolt inform us of her elaborate, over the top caricature.

The monotone, neutral colours contrast to the bright white of Lady Gaga outfit. Emphasising her over the top position and odd outfit. This shot is unconventional to a pop video as the position and outfit choice is strange and out of the ordinary

The disarray of the long shot is emphasised in the brightness of it. Compared to the previous shots. It features multiple people in an array of positions , almost representing the morning after scene. The location of the party is viewed as slightly unconventional as the extremity of lady Gaga’s dress and character contrast to the quint , neutral colours of the room and furniture.

Conforming to the typical pop video, choreographed dance is featured. Although it is short and small, in its conventional to Lady Gaga’s image, its odd and the she remains the focus of the shot.

High exposure is used within this video, obscuring faces and creating a bright high intensity shot. This mimics the craziness of the party, again shown in this close up of a guy wearing a cartoon, animal head. Conforming to Lady Gaga’s style the image is unconventional.Similarly this slightly duct angled medium shot, re-emphasises the unconventional aspects of Lady Gaga. A main spotlight is used to highlight the focus of the shot, creating an evening feel and first hand experience for the viewer . They are made to feel as if they were at this party with the low lighting of evening.

Theories

Carlsson: Commercial exhibitionist: The main concept of the video is to promote Lady Gaga’s image. She is featured every few seconds in boisterous outfits that draw attention to herself

Goodwin: Disjuncture applies to this video as there is little relation between the lyrics of the song and what is happening on screen

Shore: Many of Shore’s theories' can be applied to Just Dance, such as :Surface without substanceSimulated experienceImage assaults and outre folksAdolescent male fantasiesImmediate gratificationIn this sense it a conventional pop video as it conforms to many of Shores theories.

EditingThe more jerky party shots are edited together in montage form, some faster then others forming flickering images when the beat picks up. This re-creates the madness of the party and adds to the audiences enjoyment.

When Lady Gaga is feature in a shot the editing tend to be slower, staling on her emphasising that she is the focus of the music video and that her image sells her music.

CameraA variety of shots and angles are used throughout the music video mimicking a point of view of a person at the party. This involves the audience more creating a first hand experience. The lack of conformity to one particular shot mimics the madness of lady Gaga’s image and possibly the party itself.

However the main emphasis of the video is to promote the artist Lady Gaga. Therefore many close-ups are used in order for her to address her audience and emphasis the fact that she is the focal point. As she is such an outlandish, unforgettable character her image sells her video.

Mise-en-scene

A high contrast is created within the mise-en-scene of Lady Gaga and her surroundings. The eccentric image of Lady Gaga makes the house look plain and boring highlighting her bold outfit choices.