Research: Similar product research 4. The Mise en scene, 'TGIF by Katy Perry'

This establishing shot is an example of using The  Mise en scene to create post modernism. The sub-urban landscape, with the perfectly mowed lawns and idyllic homes with a young paper boy cycling down the street is a commonly used establishing shot in 90's and early 2000 teen movies. This suggests that the music video may be inspired by the classic transformation stories which were well received by viewers in this time period. This theme of transformation from social outcast to popular beauty becomes obvious as the video progressive.

This use of bubble text to name the movie after the camera finishes panning the small town or village was also commonly featured in these types of teen movies which therefore creates intertextuality. The Mise en scene featured here would be extremely easy to create as we would simple film in our neighborhoods.

The use of the chicken prop on the bed is extremely unique and would be easy to recreate. This type of shot where the object is in close up and shallow focus would be appropriate for our song 'Wake me up' as our video will feature lots of imagery which is parallel to the lyrics.This use of props implies to the viewer that the video will be extravagant and outlandish.

All characters are filmed in extremely bright costumes which feature pieces of clothing in block colour (completely blue top and pink leggings) for this music video. The girl pictured left  is also surrounded by the brightly coloured props (cups)





This is the first costume that we see our star in (played by Katy Perry). The character is represented in a very stereotypical way using recognisable traits of someone who is perceived to be 'a nerdy individual' and incorporating them into a costume. For example the glasses and braces and clothes which are not seen as fashionable. Blumler and Katz say that it is 'what people do with media' rather than 'what media does to you' it could be argued that this representation can be seen as attractive or not attractive to some individuals and they can interpret her the way they wish although I do believe that throughout the early scenes of the video viewers have no choice but to view this character as a 'lesser individual' due to her apparent social standing.



The character is further represented as an outcast due to intellectual prowess through The Mise en scene. In this scene the viewers can here fun being had outside at a party whereas the main character is alone in her pristine room (which she clearly has a lot of time to keep that way) with a model of a solar system behind her bed. This scene would also be very easy to create as we could simply shoot the scene in one of our rooms.

This character is also represented as a 'nerd' through the use of costume and facial expression. The use of indexical signs such as glasses, braces and overalls works together to create the image of a stereotypical 'nerd'. As well as his facial expression which makes him appear awkward in social situations like this party. In this shot we can also see cups, necklaces and paper strewn about the house which encourages the viewer to believe that this is an outrageous party.

This particular shot also creates post modernism. This shot was very commonly used in late 90's teen films where the previously 'undesirable' character is reformed into a person who is more socially accepted because of her better looks. The character usually walks down the stairs into a crowd of shocked people. The use of old fashioned carpet as the background for the neon shoes is symbolic of her transformation.

This is the second costume and the character appears smiling because of her transformation therefore as consumers of the text we are forced to see this version of the character as more desirable because of beauty standards enforced by the media.

The proxemics of this shot show everyone crowded together to create the believable representation of a house party. This would be less easy to create as employing this amount of people and fitting them into a house would be very difficult.

This garden shot appears like a small festival and would be challenging for our group to shoot.

How this post has influenced my planning and creativity:

• To use props like cups as they are easy to find or purchase. Also to use the mise-en-scene and writing to create intertextuality.
• To use the type of shot where the object is in close up and shallow focus which would be appropriate for our song 'Wake me up' as our video will feature lots of imagery which is parallel to the lyrics.