Lady Gaga's Paparazzi video analysis

The mise-en-scene at the beginning of the video connotes wealth and glamour. For example, the use of the decorative roof and the glamorous chandelier shows the audience the high maintenance of this video. This also represents Lady Gaga who supposedly is the owner of the big mansion. The use of champagne bottles and crystal glasses, and beautiful scenery promotes a luxury lifestyle.The typography used at the beginning of the video; 'A Serial Pictures Production' and 'Starring Lady Gaga' is a typical way to introduce a program in the 1950'sThe use of the birds chirping during shots creates realism and the fact that juxtaposition is used to create reality. There is a medium shot of money piled out on the floor with broken glass surrounding it. This could be linked in to the ‘serial’ at the beginning this is like a cycle that is found in soap operas and films. It can be interpreted that the actress in this case lady Gaga lives like and actress and behaves like an actress. During a mid shot Lady Gaga and her partner are on the balcony we are liked in to a point of view shot of a camera man (paparazzi) this is significant as it links in with the lyrics. This moment is also important as she is free and singing about this shows that the paparazzi have her permission to take pictures. This shows she is powerful and carefree. It can also be interpreted that what she is presenting to the paparazzi is all fiction and she is just doing it for the fame.
From the opening shot of palm trees we automatically think glamour and fabulousness. The palm tree are presented with a low angle shot making them look superior. Following straight after is the establishing shot of a mansion therefore reinforcing the idea of richness.

When Gaga is pushed off stage by her partner we are then presented with a swirly black and white background. This is a Hitchcock Homage as this scene makes reference to the 1958 film 'Vertigo' which sticks with the theme of the music video of re-presenting the 1950's. The use of icy, remote blonde 'femme fatale' character is also a hallmark of a Hitchcock film.At that moment in where Gaga is on the floor wrapped up in bandages, she looks helpless as she is injured. To promote this the constant use of high angle shots make her look inferior. During this scene, newspapers are shown with Lady Gaga on the front page with titles like 'No More Gaga'. These newspapers, the narrative of the music video and style of the music video has intertextual reference to Sunset Boulevard (1950).
Glamour is represented throughout the video. For example when Lady Gaga is being helped to get out of the limo we see a diamond necklace.

Lady Gaga's costumes relate to what people considered as fashion in the 1950's. For example her sunglasses with flaps that transform them into reading glasses was stylish eyewear in the 1950's. Also, later on in the music video there is an Extreme Close Up of red lipstick lips which was very popular with young women in the 50's, blonde hair was also a stylish hair colour to have at that time.However, Lady Gaga brings in a robotic style of dress and behaviour. For example when she is walking down the purple carpet from a closer up shot we see her wide eyes open even wider being controlled robotically. This is used effectively to compare humans with robots. This humanoid also has intertextual reference to the Fembot in Fritiz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis.

Lady Gaga also modernises her music video. Near the end of the video there is reference to pop culture her outfit is very libertarian. She uses Mickey and Minnie mouses ears. This will gratify audiences as they are familiar with those characters and are interested on the different take on it.The way in which the music video ends was a conventional way to end the programme ends relates to the 50's.

Long Shots are used in the music video to show performances like the dance scene which relates to pop music and is typical of music videos of that genre. In addition to this constant use of close up are being used to show lady Gaga’s facial expressions but also to remind the audience that this music video is Lady Gaga’s.

Overall to conclude i strongly believe that this music video is a postmodernist text as it uses many of many of conventions such as Blurring reality and fiction, Homage, Pastiche and Intertextuality Generally I feel this music video would appeal to young audiences as they look up to glamorous artists for inspiration. .