How does Lady Gaga conform and subvert to codes and conventions of a typical pop video?
Lady Gaga's video "Bad Romance" conforms to a typical pop video in how Gaga is directly addressd to the audience, for example the first shot has a mise-en-scene of her being centralised in the frame and surrounded by people, implying that she is of biggest significance. Music videos want the major pop star to be focused on because this is what the audience wants, so the record company would get more money. This conformity is also shown through close ups of Gaga, an example being during the beginning shot there is a slow zoom towards her whilst the shots proceed from a wide shot to a mid shot to a close up. The video also conforms in how Gaga is sexualised by being dressed in provocative clothing, in which many femalepop stars are because the audience look up to them and many idolise them, so companies want them to look as amazing as possible. Gaga lipsyncs throughout the video, which is conformity as the majority of singers do this in their videos intending to draw as much focus to them as possible; also, the singing being enhanced within a studio and dubbed over maintains the idea of perfectionism, as though the star has perfect vocals. Her choreography also conforms to the norm.
However, the video also subverts to a typical pop video. Gaga is a bought slave for a man, which subverts to how the singer is usually the one in the dominant position. This forced romance links to the title "Bad Romance". But, there are shots which imply that Gaga is in a strong role, for example when she is looking in the mirror and wearing black suggesting dominance. This is iconography in the form of an unbalanced representation of the pop star, which subverts to the norm. The dark key lighting and mise-en-scene of Gaga's radical outfits promotes her to be rather psychotic, also the choreography in parts such as when she is being pulled side to side.
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