CASE STUDY 1BEYONCÉ - PRETTY HURTS

SYNOPSIS

Beyoncé’s hit song ‘Pretty hurts’ is about the competition between women in the world. The video teaches us that make up and clothes can not change what your mind thinks of yourself, and that people should stop caring about the way they look and comparing it to the way other women look, because everyone is beautiful and unique in their own. Trying to be ‘perfect’ is a disease, and it can not be cured. People should accept themselves. The title that to be pretty, hurts is contradicting because no matter how much you try, the only way you will be happy is to accept and yourself, no matter how you look. The video is self explanatory as we see Beyoncé struggling to be ‘pretty’ or the media’s definition of pretty in a competition although she has won so many trophies, they no longer hold any value.

MOTIFS AND THEMES

• Holds an inspirational and truthful meaning behind the video, talks about women insecurities and how its effecting the world.

• Themes of inspiration, power, independence, portrayal of women, self representation, insecurities and imperfections.

• The music video highlights the beauty and power each women holds, and the way negative impacts on yourself can effect your life. The change will only be seen in attitude towards yourself.

• Shows images of women in all different sizes, shapes and colour.

MISE-EN-SCENE

• The video takes place in a beauty Pageant – competition between each women• Everyone seems to be getting ready, in sparkly dresses and wearing a lot of

make up. This connotes that what you are wearing and the way you look does not matter.

• Another location is in the dressing room – where girls are arguing and fighting with each other to win this competition, instead of respecting each other.

• We the audience are also taken to the the toilets to show the effects and insecurities people have on weight which can lead to anorexia

• Characters struggle to feel comfortable within themselves as they try to adjust their body.

LIP SYNCING AND TARGET AUDIENCE

Due to this being a professional music video, the lip syncing seems to be very good and in tune with the actual beat of the music. This could be due to the singer or the great editing skills, and executing the video very well. The music video is generally targeted at teenagers and young adults as they transmission into adulthood. Within this age frame many people feel very insecure about themselves and the portrayal of women through the media influences the younger generation even more, into becoming the person they see in movies or magazines. However it is not always possible too look a certain way therefore leads to many side effects and insecurities, the video leads the audience to believe that everyone is perfect whatever size or form, and we should just be comfortable in our own skin.

SHOTS AND CAMERA• Many camera shots are used through out the

video, shots such as close up/mid shots are used, long shots, high/low shots, birds eye, depth of field and establishing shot are used to create a sense of style through each image and shot so the audience has a clear idea of what is happening.

This is a close up which shows the emotion and facial expressions of Beyoncé

High shot- shows who has the power in this instants the surgeon has power over Beyoncé