Task 2.1 Research Into Existing Products: Lady Gaga Paparazzi

Lady Gaga Paparazzi Textual Analysis





Year: 2009

Director: Jonas Akerlund

Producer: Rob Fusari

In the first 15 seconds of the music video there is several establishing shots, showing the setting. These include frames of a cream building which is obviously representing the wealth and power of Lady Gaga. There is also several close ups of plants and roses which are almost cartoon-like which links in with the animated titles at the beginning which reminds you of 1950's TV. All these shots are very still and are shot from the bottom looking towards the sky which gives you the big, grand feel of the buildings and outskirts. After the outside of the cream building has been established it sends the audience inside where extravagant designs are shown, for example a huge gold chandelier with candles and glistening gems covering it which emphasises the wealth. Next you enter the back of the house onto a marbled balcony which has a very prominent Mediterranean feel to it which connotes luxury and high status as it has statues and a view of the sea. The final establishing shot is of the bedroom which is shown to be Lady Gagas as there is dollar bills with her portrait on it. This emphasises the wealth and power again which is a running theme throughout.


Once the scene has now been set, the narrative begins with Gaga lying on a bed with her lover. They are speaking in Swedish to each other romantically. There is clear shots of Gagas rings on her hand which says 'Dior' which markets the brand as fans who watch the video will want to wear the same things as their idol, this is called product placement. This represents that Gaga is an influential character so brands want her to advertise their products. This is supported by the black and white 1950's style newspapers where it has the bold statement saying Lady Gags is at the top yet again as well as the fur trimmings on her dressing gown.



Once Gaga and the male are on intimately on the balcony you can see the power of the man which represents patriarchy and dominance as he is quickly turning aggressive towards Gaga. The shots are from the point of view of the paparazzi taking pictures of the couple together which shows that her life is publicly shown. The next few moments is a very strong representative of domestic abuse as there is fighting between the couple as well as some clear shots of champagne which as well as representing wealth, in this scenario it is refers to traits of alcoholism. Once the male throws Gaga off the side of the balcony a gush of wind passes which could show how Gaga was once at the top but now she has gone with the wind.



The next few shots almost feel like either a flashback or some sort of vivid dream. She is wearing a corset which is an extremely feminine piece of clothing as well as having some darker connotations of being suffocated and unable to breath due to how tight they are as well as having to comply with what men want women to be like which links to the previous shots of patriarchal society. This shot could also be Gaga trying to tell her audience that the 'popstar' life is not as glamourous as people on the outside make it out to be. As she falls she spreads out into a crucifix position which is like she is begging for forgiveness. 

The shot returns to Gaga lying in a pool of blood on the floor and she is being photographed by paparazzi once again which then prints a paper saying "Gaga hit rock bottom" as well as "no more Gaga" which contrasts the news paper in the beginning of the video. This could show how they only like her when she is sexualised and making videos and as soon as something happens they turn on her.



When she gets out of the limo she is surrounded by males who help her out onto a purple carpet which symbolizes royalty. The scene of her in the wheelchair could be seen as a positive representation as it glamorizes disabilities and shows that you can still be beautiful even if you had a life changing disability. Throughout Gagas videos she wears little clothing and presents herself very sexually which is almost as if she has to, to comply with the female artist stereotype of wearing provocative clothing. 



Throughout the video you see several dead women for example one was hanged and you could see her legs  as well as a glamorous women was dead in the bath. This could be the individual stages of Gagas life and she feels as each women represents a part of her which is slowly dying inside her because of having to comply to what other people want. 


Towards the end of the video the power shifts back to Gaga and shows her as the powerful figure as she poisons the male and kills him as she is shown in a prison at the end. The male does not look at Gaga in this scene which shows that maybe he doesn't care about her as when he drinks the poison he still has no eye contact.