Costumes

In many music videos the costume in which the star image is dressed in, plays a huge part. They can represent certain feelings and emotions for the audience to engage with; and at the same time be used for effect. One specific example in which costumes can be used for effect and dramatisation is many of Lady Gaga's videos, one of them videos being "telephone" in which we have analysed previously. Although the costumes Lady Gaga herself wears are very dramatic and emphasised, they are still intended to represent a certain mood/feeling.

For example, in the prison scene she is seen to wear a black and white outfit which in my opinion represents the good and bad of society. Black glasses are covering her face which may suggest her not wanting to express her true self.

This can be compared to another outfit in a different scene which is extremely differet. The star image, Lady Gaga is dressed in an extremely revealing costume. The outfit consists of a somewhat bra and knicker set which displays the American flag. This could possibly show that Lady Gaga wishes to express where she has originated from and that she is proud of it, as the song itself relates in no way to America.

However, some music videos don't hold much importance surrounding costumes. For instance, Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" features Jay Z himself, the star image, dressed in casual, everyday clothes which can be seen as a 'normal/everyday' approach. The colours tend to be dark colours which could creates a sense of mystery. This can be said for the majority of Jay Z's videos.



He tends to deliver his music without a performance opposed to Lady Gaga who performs her songs.Throughout our production there are different costumes which will be selected and used purposely to intend a certain effect. The star image, Jacob, whom is playing the part of Jay-Z, wears several different costumes to display various feelings and symbolise different things. The outfits he wears are far from dramatic yet still manage to represent certain things. For example, during the working class aspects of his life in which he faces a somewhat everyday struggle, he wears casual clothes, that aren't out of the ordinary and does not hold any luxuries.

However, to represent a rise in money/wealth/power/status he is seen with certain luxuries and dressed head to toe in a smart black suit. The black suit represents sophistication and organization of himself and his life. In the scenes that Jacob is in the black suit, it is filmed agaisnt a white background which shows the contrasts: good and bad, poor and rich.

Another person to appear in the video is Lucy, who only appears in footage that shows Jacob as being rich and powerful. This reflects the thoughts of the everyday music industry that all sucessfull rap musicians, such as Jay-z himself, will have a girl, or many girls, that they can be seen with. This is seen to give the male power and status, making him appear as an aplha male with certain dominance. The girls costumes usually consist of provocative wear, such as a bikini or underwear. Generally, if this is not the case, a part of the girls body is usually shown, for example her stomach or legs. The rapper 50cent, is one rapper that uses many girls in his video and so he appears the main dominant aplha male. The girls in the video are usually used to look glamourous and idolised or in such videos they perform, whether it be a dance routine or singing perfomance.



Lucys costume consists of an all black outfit, which can be compared to Jacobs black suit. The fact that they match in what they are wearing makes them seem compatitble and in sync with each other. She is wearing black lipstick which connotes a certain unknowning mysterious effect. Further mystery is added as Lucy is wearing a mask wich hides her face. This is quite ambigious, it has many different interpretations, for example: she wants to hide her true identity, but our intention was for it to appear that she was hiding from her poor past, as she does now endure a totally different way of life, being with a rich idolised artist.