Music Video Analysis

 California Gurls - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57P9C4SAW4

      Reality is not accurately portrayed in this video. An example, is the set, it looks like the game board for CandyLand. All the girls in the video have perfect hair, outfits and bodies. Everyone in the video knows all the steps to the dance routine and all the words to the song. At the end, Katy Perry can easily defeat Snoop Dogg's army of (vulgar)gummy bears with whip cream guns attached to her bra... I believe that reality is presented this way because it is much more entertaining to watch a video like this, then one where entire set ISN'T made entirely out of candy and baked goods. 

     This video uses codes and conventions that are typically seen in pop music videos. Choreographed dancing, girls dancing half naked around men, perfect hair and makeup... All of these are conventions usually used in pop music videos. 

     Almost all of the creeds in this video are presented explicitly. California girls are described as "Tone tanned, fit and ready" or "Fine, fresh, fierce, we got it on lock". They are described as the most admirable girls, as Snoop Dogg exclaims, "these are the girls I love the most!". Although most of the messages in this video are blatantly shown, the underlaying messages can be shown implicitly. Girls are portrayed poorly, dressed in small clothing, provocatively dancing.  These values presented can be agreed with or not, depending on how you see these topics.

Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

     I think to many teenagers, this is an appealing music video. It features two popular, widely known and listened to artists. The song is upbeat and catchy, an easy song to like. The sets, outfits and dancers are all  relevant to teenagers, creating an appealing video.

     Overall, I believe this is a "like" video. It doesn't have any substance or qualities to make it an actually good video. There is no meaning(no positive meaning anyways...) and not very much creativity(CandyLand....)This doesn't mean that it won't do well. The feedback from the video is obviously good, with over 9 million views, people enjoy the song and video. I don't believe though, that that makes it a good music video, I think the quality and message does. 

Media Assignment #1

     I believe that media is IMMENSELY important in my life. Almost everything I do is connected to the media in at least one way. Taking pictures, reading and listening to music is something I do on a regular basis and all three of those activities revolve around the media.

     One of the most important types of media to me is books. I think that the range of literary information that is available to our society is amazing. I can rely on novels for entertainment, newspapers and magazines for information on almost anything I could ever want to know. Another type of media I love is music. I grew up listening to my parent's music that they listened to in high school, music that I'm now listening to in high school. I also like that I can go on the internet and  hear music and bands I've never heard of before.
Another type of media I enjoy is film and TV. I appreciate the range of shows on TV...I like knowing that when i get bored of watching the discovery channel....I'll always have bridalplasty to watch...

     I think that our modern culture has accomplished incredible feats. I think that our progressions in technology have improved so much, creating so many different ways to connect with people. Modern technology has made our world smaller then ever by connecting us in so many ways, but the opportunities it has created are huge. Something that I dislike in our culture is that we have no patience. Everything has to be done bigger, better and faster. Often things are done without thinking of the consequences. I think that if things were done a little bit more slowly, plans were thoroughly thought through, it could prevent us from dealing with a lot of unnecessary aftermath. And a lot less people would be embarrassed with what they post on the internet... I mostly use the media for entertainment. I watch TV, go to the movies, read books, listen to music. I also use it for school purposes, online shopping...creeping...

     If I was stuck on a desert island, the three items I would bring with me are; the Harry Potter series, music and... access to peopleofwalmart.com. My favourite books I have ever read are the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. I think that these books are so great, because they have every life lesson you could possibly need portrayed in them. The next would be music. I love many different artists, but specifically, my favourite artists are, Neil Young, The Who, Rolling Stones, Regina Spektor, Marina and the Diamonds..it goes on and on...The last type of media I would choose, is the internet. More specifically, the website peopleofwalmart.com, for the endless entertainment it provides. Because frankly, when you can't leave the house without your goat, you deserve to be on this website.