Music Video Analysis

Names: Claire Ames, Dallin Rima

Music Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXQLa-5n5w

Semiotics
Do you see any symbols
in this video? What do
they symbolize?
- Pretty hurts shash - someone will get a prize because they did
“painful” things to make them a “winner”.
- Stack of trophies - it represents all of the value and praise society
places on beauty.
- Wigs - this is a specific representation of the fakeness behind what
you see on the internet, media, and from places that show what
ideal beauty looks like.
- Dark rooms - The whole video is darkly lit in the dressing rooms and
at the apartment, except for when they are on stage. This correlates
directly with the emotion felt by the participants. Off stage they all
look depressed and they argue, however on stage they smile as
bright as they can.
- The beauty pageant form visually shows how people judge others
based on how beautiful someone is.
- Scales - it shows the aspect of beauty standards based on weight.
- Tape measurements - this shows that even if you’re a certain weight
you have to be a certain size.
- All in the same outfit - conformity on stage, beauty standards leave
no room for individuality.
- Judges, coach, introducer all men - men have the power to place
opinions and build the standards.
- Water, drowning - this shows how drastically not fitting in can hurt a
person, to the point where they feel inadequate.
- On the tv home video - it shows that these standards affect people
from a really young age, and then you grow up with it.

Why do you think that These symbols are used to bring attention to the negative effect beauty
the artist used these standards placed upon women in a format that is traditionally viewed as a
symbols? celebration of beauty. It clearly shows how judgmental society can be with
the symbols that literally are people judging her and commenting on her
body. A lot of viewers can recognize the awfulness that is body shaming in
this format, and by seeing this hopefully they will be able to recognize it in
their own lives.

What culture do these This video deals with aspects of American beauty standards via pageants,
symbols resonate with? however it’s less based upon culture and more based on gender and the fact
Would they symbolize the that it is dominantly women who receive backlash for their appearance. In
same thing in another the video the people who are struggling are all women and the problems
culture? Do they resonate
such as losing weight, good hair, and having perfect proportions are things
with you?
that are specifically standards for women. The pressure placed upon women
can be translated across many cultures, though they aren’t always the same
standards. I resonate them because as a woman, since a very young age I
have been trained to hate aspects of my body because they do not align
with society's expectations. Constantly me and other teenage girls are

Social and Cultural Issues
What does this video
assume about its
audience?
Is the artist for or against
anything?
To what age group does
this video appeal?
Is the video racist or
sexist? Does this video
support any stereotypes?
What political or social
issue does this video
bring to mind?
Does the video use any
historical video/film
clips? How does it use
the clips?
Formal Qualities and Analyses
What process do you
think was used to create
some of the images in
the video? What
software and editing
forced to compare ourselves and place more value on physical appearance
by ads, movies, and men.
They assume that the topic of beauty standards is universal and something
that all women deal with. In the video they show some pretty heavy things
such as eating disorders, mental health, and plastic surgery. These are all
things that are normally glossed over, unless someone feels comfortable
with the person they’re talking to. Because Beyonce believes that all
women go through this, she felt ok to talk about the topics she did.
Against beauty standards and pageants. The flauntiness and show dog
nature that truly does objectify women. Again, goes into the negative effects
present and how detrimental it is for health.
Teenagers and young adults. Beyonce is a very popular music artist for teens
and young adults because of how empowering many of her songs are, also
her music style is what they typically listen to. This particular message of
body standards is also most heavily placed on this age group because it’s
when their bodies are the most “youthful” and “beautiful”. This age group
looks for partners and significant others, therefore trying to look their best.
The video isn’t sexist but it discusses sexist things. All male judges, trainers,
announcers. Doesn’t support stereotypes, but describes stereotypes. I guess
a stereotype it does “support”, support is a bad word but women will do
anything to be pretty: starving, surgery, unhealthy exercise.
The whole video is a social issue. What does the world deem video?
Fakeness, un natural perfectness, seemingly happy all the time? Vs reality of
depression, disorders, and imperfection. It also supports the idea of
feminism and equality for all genders. No one should be shamed for how
they look.
Yes. At the very end of the video, the last thing you see, is a video of young
Beyonce that comes on the T.V. Shows that standards are placed and
exposed to girls at a very young age. “I would like to thank the judges for
picking me”. Placing the determination of her value in someone else's hands.
This mentality of seeking praise from someone else sticks with a person,
woman, throughout their lives.
The whole video was filmed with live actors. This way you can see
how it affects real people and see real emotions. Specifically posed
and choreographed to get the best response. Probably filmed on a set
in a studio with multiple takes.
program do you think
they used?

Describe how the color in When on stage, the people are fully lit with bright colors behind them.
the video is used to In their own homes and backstage, there's crappy low lighting, casting
portray certain emotions,
feelings or meanings?
a dark contrast. Over all the flashback portions, there's a blue filter.
“Nude” room, all the furniture costume room is a nude color
representing uncomfortableness in one's own skin. The sparkly
colorful setting for the pageant equals costumes makeup.
Write a visual description One scene included in the video consists of every pageant girl on
of a particular scene or stage, the exact same outfit, pose, lined up. They just stood there and
image in the video.
smiled and were judged. The outfits were like yellow leotards, with
their hair pinned up exposing a lot of their skin. They have perfect skin
and makeup.

Interpretation
What does this video say It says that the standards placed on women by men are unrealistic and in
to you? response create negative habits and lifestyle choices. It shows that men’s
opinions are more important than womens through the all male judging
panel and support staff. It also expresses how people take it upon
themselves to fit society's standards and then deal with the effects. THe
fakeness displayed is such a bad representation of how people are feeling
below the surface.

What does it say about It says that even Beyonce, as famous and powerful she is, deals with
the artist? struggles of appearance. And from a young age. It also shows that she wants
to stand up for those who feel unnecessary pressure but don’t have a
platform or are too scared to bring it up.

Is there anything of which Yes, it reminds me of the song “Scars to your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara.
this video reminds you? Is They discuss the same social issue: unrealistic body standards. However,
there anything in the Alessia Cara discusses it in a more positive way, like how people can become
video that reminds you of confident in the way they are. We don’t really learn about this in school,
something you have
however there was one instance during school where a bunch of boys had
studied in school?
apparently been rating girls. And then the girls found out, and it was really
crummy. It made a lot of people feel really bad.

Artist Intent
Do you see any works of No, there were no specific pieces of art, however the music video is
art in this video? Do you centered on the idea of beauty pageants. I think Beyonce was
believe the artist was
influenced by someone
probably influenced by pageants. They’re a really great metaphor and
else? representation of how the world is a stage and judges are power or
the media.
Do you see any product No, not trying to sell a product. I think the seriousness of the video
placement in the video? and message the song conveys was meant to be left alone. In my
Is this video selling a
certain product?
opinion, Beyonce didn’t want to tamper with the output by making
the video commercial based. It would make it feel like the purpose
was to make money instead of put out meaningful art.
Do you think your Yes. This video was very clearly and specifically calling out society and
interpretation of this their expectations of women’s appearance. Even just by calling the
video is what the artist
intended? Does it
song “pretty hurts” the audience knows that it’s gonna be about how
matter? unrealistic beauty standards are, and how harmful they can be.

Can an artist mean to Yes! Oftentimes when it comes to art, the artist has a very specific
express one thing, but meaning behind the piece which sometimes is very clear to the
then express more than
that, or something
audience. However sometimes the piece only has a specific meaning
different from that? to the artist, leaving the audience to interpret it in whatever way they
feel. And no matter what, a piece of art can mean something else to
someone based on where they come from and their past experiences.
A certain color, lyric, or image can trigger a different feeling in a
person then the artist, because they link certain experiences or
memories to it. And the amount of meaning placed on a work of art
can be raised if someone is going through a difficult time. For example,
a song about love is going to be felt and valued very differently to
someone who has just had a breakup, vs someone who is happily
married.

Aesthetics
Do you like this video? Yes. You could tell that a lot of thought and quality went into the
Why or why not? making of this video. The way it was edited with the low lighting
helped set the tone of seriousness and get the audience to watch it
mindfully. There was a lot of good symbolism and the story was
captivating.
What are the most They set the music video in a beauty pageant setting which exists in
effective parts or real life. The fact that this is a fairly common and very realistic place
aspects of this work of
art?
gives the message relevance. This is what clearly links the audience to
the video. The aspects of the real world. This format simply shows the
audience the social issue and its effects on women everywhere. It
makes it really easy to follow.
How would you I would have people think about what point of view this video is being
persuade others to told by, a woman in the 21st century. Once people think about that, I
appreciate this work of
art as much as you do?
would want them to put themselves in their shoes and recognize the
catcalls, sexual gestures, and numerous magazines that tear down a
woman’s image. Once people see that, and see those feelings they can
fully understand the emotion behind what was expressed by the
 creator.
How could you convince I think it’s important to realise that all artists create art from a place of
someone to appreciate creativity and with intent. They put a lot of effort into expressing their
an artwork that they
think is not good? How
emotions on a subject, which is actually a really difficult thing to do.
could you counter this Being able to sort through your thoughts. Because of this, all art has
person’s argument? value. Whether you think this value is good or not, shouldn’t be the
question you’re asking. It should be based on personal interest. Like,
this art just isn’t in my particular style. Because it’s still good to the
artist and to many others.

Beyonce- Formation

- Black pride
- Feminism
- Police car in a flood beyonce on top, gets lower and lower until eventually beyonce goes
down with it: protesting for human rights is a double edge sword.
- Detrimental effects to the psychies of African Americans
- Released in february (black history month) around the same time that would’ve been
some victims of police brutality’s birthday

Lily Allen- Not Fair

- Shot like an 80’s music video but also cowboy.

- Wears white to show innocence
- Visually points to how it will be a song praising men
- Actually sings about abusive relationships, shocks everyone including band members
- Shows that we expect a love song from a girl, and not something of necessary value

Lady Gaga - Just dance

- Her style is very avant garde, lots of disco balls

- The video gets “trippy”, represents what happens at parties
- Girls get drugged at parties but still “Just dance”
- Male verse is very provocative and sexualizing.
- Also though it promotes living while you're young, there’s no consequences for your
actions, so empowering?
- This video sends mixed messages and can be interpreted differently depending on who
you are.

Liana Lewis- Bleeding Love

- Domestic abuse
- Cuts between shots of actors singing dramatically and domestic abuse
- Different apartments with different instances of how abuse can be displayed
- Lots of different layers to domestic abuse, it looks different to others
- Girl in bathtub= represents drowning cause you can’t escape from it
- Minimalistic setting to not distract from the message.
Final Question:

All of the videos had a pretty specific social problem that was being discussed.
All of the ones we watched in our group were sung by women, and all of them had
certain aspects of how women are oppressed. Body image, domestic abuse, and
relationships. Talking about these issues in the videos that many audiences value
creates wider spread of the piece. It spurs discussions in the media and between
people.