Pop- Selena Gomez "Who Says"

Analysing The Music Video “Who Says”- By Selena Gomez

This is a narrative music video, as it involves a combination of both a narrative illustration as well as the performance of the song which means that the words and meanings of the song is acted out in some way. Who Says’ By Selena Gomez is a ‘Pop’ genre to give the music video a certain kind of element as it features the usage of many bright colors within the video, flashing lights and a creative setting. The use of colour would appeal to a younger audience within the range of as many pop-artists are young and they would express themselves through their lyrics of the pop music, as well as their costumes that make the musician look innocent and relatable to their targeted audience.

The music video that I am analyzing is about a girl (the musician) who is trying to say that you should never make yourself feel below anyone else because we are all human and we all have flaws so we are all perfect the way we are, as it says in the song lyrics “Who says who says your not perfect who’s your not worth it who’s says you’re the one that’s hurting trust me that’s the price of beauty who says your not pretty who says your not beautiful who say!” This suggests that the director shows a direct link to the song. However as Goodwin says that the music video should demonstrate characteristics, by using his analysis I would say that there is a creative illustration with the lyrics of the song and the performance this connotes that this is a relationship between the lyrics and visuals this reinforces the fact that this is a ‘Pop’ music video.

The music video includes a diegetic sound at the start and at the end of the music video, to show there are scenes in the video to explain what is going on without the need for any music. There are also changes in the level of the musicians voice whilst singing as in certain parts of the song, it changes to show the effect, for narrative reason to show what is happening for example where to sings “Who Says” to emphasize on the meaning of the song lyrics.

The Mise en scene is important for the music video, however the location (establishing shot) being used when Selena Gomez (the performer) who is walking on the streets of America, in the studio and on the beach with other teenagers performing her song this then sets the scene immediately as is relates to the audience.

There are a variety of different types of camera shots/ angles that are used in the music video. The camera is jumping constantly between long shots, close ups and extreme close ups, however a close up being used to focus on the performers mouth movement to the lyrics (lip syncing) as well as being a close up on her to show her emotions at the start of the music video. A tracking shot being used when Selena was in a taxicab whilst singing to the lyrics, also when she is walking along the streets. The montage editing is used to cut from one location to another, in addition to this the beat or the rhythm of the song helps to provide the organizing principle to the editing movement to each location. The pace of the editing during the music video the performer changes her outfit twice, to reinforce the different locations and it also goes with the song lyrics therefore it goes with the narrative of the music video. The use of high key lighting is used at the beginning of the music video, there are also elements of naturalistic effects of her face is parts of the video, in addition to this there is use of filters being used which helps creates that dreamy quality, looks as though it is slightly out of focus.