Analysis of a Star and Dyer's Theory - Miss Miller

There are many different reasons why artists may want to reinvent themselves these include rebelling against the music industry and what is classed as 'successful' and 'beautiful' an example of this would be Miley Cyrus she was brought into the industry and made famous through her show on Disney channel, Hannah Montana. She was introduced as a very sweet and innocent appearing character and her aim was to appeal to the younger more influential audience and represent a very nice, country girl. As the show ended she wanted to shake off the innocent girl act and did this by changing her genre to pop, which is another way artist can really reinvent themselves by being able to change genre and there particular type of music. This then increased Miley Cyrus's public appeal as she was talked about a lot going from a country girl to a crazy type of character in a very particular music industry. 

Justin Bieber is another artist that is able to be seen as someone who has reinvented themselves. Starting off at a younger age people are able to witness how he has evolved his look and attitude towards his audience. He has evolved to fit with his current target audience, overall increasing his fan basis and shaking off the image of being criticised as being 'too feminine.'

Christina Aguilera is an artist that had been around since the late 90's. This means that as a generation evolves and the modernisation of the music video industry continues she had to modernise her whole look and genre to fit her audience as them as an audience became a lot more modern themselves. Firstly I am going to show and represent how each of her videos fit in with Dyers star theory. She started off really being able to perform herself as an object and finally being able to put more of her personality into her videos showing her true emotions on the music industry, in the more modern times we see her as an artist adapt to the modern times immediately with a drastic change to her looks and music video type.

The miss-en-scene in the music video specifically the positioning of characters shows girls all together, they are in a tight group and are able to appear as a very in sync and organised group. We are able to see a her doing the performance element of good wins which overall relates to her ability to be able to perform to the audience and appeal to them as she looks very empowering to women as they are all close and together. This can also relate to to Dyer's star theory as she is actually viewed as a product who is used to perform. 

In addition to this the mise-en-scene in this video relates very well to her audience at the time. The particular costume she is wearing is a light blue crop top, followed by a brown, studded leather jacket. The tight leather pants also contribute into the the fact that she as an artist is selling herself as a product to be shown off in her video. Dyers theory is witnessed here as the audience may see her as extraordinary as not everyone would've worn such revealing clothes, but at the same time she could also be seen my ordinary by some audience members as it allows them to go out and buy these sort of clothes themselves and actually act and look up to Christina in a way that makes her appear as someone who makes a massive impact on peoples lives. This for example would have a huge impact on her audience and how they relate to her. 
cinematogrpahy, in example the close up in this image portrays and is able to show a detailed image of her make up and hair. Her hair lies straight and very short and flick. When she moves it follows with her, being very blonde and fair the make up suits her well, continuing to be very light and girlie she wears a light blue eye shadow and pink lip gloss. The 'good girl' image is very relevant here and would've appealed to the target audience at the time as in the 90's it was very popular for the younger generation to be viewed as a pretty girl. 
The iconography used in this particular video can also be seen to support her image of the 'innocent' and 'pretty' girl. Here we see the use of the tiara and the fan that she holds in her hand, as a very valued artist this may give off the impression that she is seen as royalty to her audience. The fact she is also sat on a very expensive and insquiest chair enables us to believe that she as an artist wants to be viewed as very important. The audience may feel like they need to look up to her and follow her, just like they would a queen. This relates partly to Dyer's theory as we are able to see partly how she is appearing as extraordinary. This may cause envious behaviour in her circle and surrounding her fan base often resulting in them wanted to be like her. They do not necessary relate to her at the moment as she doesn't give off any notion of normality. She is regarded higher to here audience in this particular scene. 
The use of editing is very popular throughout this scene. In particular how the shots are put together and placed to back it appear in a particular way. As Christina walks into the room we see a number of jump shots that allow us to view her as an object for men. The jump cuts directly show a number of men looking her way as she walks in to try and impress them. As an audience member this entitles her female audience to want to do the same, almost using herself as a product to not only make her female audience envious but her male audience do the same, as this causes them and other audience members to question what they are looking at and why they continue to do so.

 The low angle shot in cinematography can be used to display how much people can be shown as having a rather large amount of power. Here in Chrisitna's video of 'What a Girl Wants' we see exactly that. Christina is seen from the males lower point of view, which makes her appear more powerful and in charge. This relates higher to Dyer's theory as it allows the female more popular audience to feel empowered and happy with the outcome of this video. They see men being bossed around and the whole video is all about what females want and what men have to do to get them. That is why throughout the music video she appears to tease them all with her dancing and outfit. Overall this relates to dyer's theory just because she is able to use herself to empower her female audience, causing them to relate to her in a way that allows her to get a closer relationship with them.

In addition to this throughout her music video she still appears to be having an amazing time and having fun, this is through the use of mise-en-scene in particular the facial expressions. As seen in this image we are able to witness her smiling and laughing about the whole situation. It almost is a mocking smile to men, which again allows the female audience to be able to contribute in a way that is successful to them as they believe women should enjoy themselves and have more power. Seeing someone smile also inclines the audience to smile too making them feel good about themselves and relating this back to the audience as it may appear that they are having a good time just being of the videos.

To finalise Christina's very girly, women empowering, more innocent video. We are able to see how much the power of editing can really put together a scene. For this example we see the speed of shots change. This enables the dance being performed to be seen as much more put together and structured overall it allows the audience to envy her more and look up to her. This is what Dyer's theory calls extraordinary this is because the audience are able to see her perform all different moves at once in different angles which overall relates to the fact that she is seen as some sort of super human, who is beautiful, a talented singer and dancing. The whole package that most girls at that age would want. 

Overall the performance of 'What a Girl Wants' allows us to see just how much she is willing to go to create a very edgy, classic dance music video. That portrays her as 'cute' but actually empowers women as a whole and is an RnB track that allows women to feel empowered and strong against men.

Christina then went on to do more in deph music that had more personality behind it, her look changed from cute and pretty, to very classic and elegant. In 2006, the video 'Hurt' was released, inspired by a very emotional story the video is an eye opener for her audience, into more of what her opinion is on the music industry. The slow pop genre has adapted dramatic and changed since her earlier RnB days. Her new image is very classical and classy. There are a number of Goodwin's theory elements represented in this music video as it allows us to see a narrative, performance and a concept on what the music industry can actually do to a person. 

The editing right at the start of the video shows how the black and white theme can really start of an emotion spur on the whole video. It is a way of letting the audience know that this is the sort of video where you are able to see the 'real' Christina and what her thoughts are, it enables the audience to relate with her on a personal level as Dyer states it is a chance for the audience to feel like they do actually know her even though they have never met her personally. 

Continuing to open the scene we are given an insight into the mise-en-scene which is the setting and location. The abandoned setting really exaggerates her emotions and continues to let the audience view her as very ordinary. As loneliness is something that is able to consume everyone at some point even celebrities. The audience will sympathise with her overall creating the imagery that she is not some sort of extraordinary person she does get lonely and she does go through emotions just like everyone else. The way she has adapted herself into being a very strong empowering woman at the start to now appearing as a more fragile woman may make the audience feel very relatable to her and her emotions 

In addition to this mise-en-scene also represents how much the costume and makeup can be manipulated into appearing as something that can be judged by the audience. Before her hair was very flicky and fun it now is done up in tight curls, this hairstyle resembles how much the artist is able to adapt to the time era of her video and her makeup is more done up then last time we see more colour on her lips and her face seems heavier with the makeup on it. The costume in this video is a lot more reserved and elegant you may say. It allows the audience to admire her for being unique and going against the typical revealing clothes.

There is also a number of flash back scenes in the music video and it enables the audience to see her as a 'younger child' The facial expression on the younger child which is portrayed to be her is very happy. This enables her to be able to display a contrast between her ages in the music video. When she is older her character appear alot more sadder, with deeper emotions, when shes younger and she has a close relationship with the father character we are able to see her as a playful happy child. This means the audience is able to relate to this particular music video like Dyer suggests, in this case the audience and fan base of Christina is able to see how much she can be influenced by her family and how sad it is that as a child she displays her life as very happy and fun and when she older and alone its extremely sad even though she has a lot of wealth and money to support her. 

The lighting displayed in the picture on the right is able to demonstrate how much her image specifically is portrayed now. The mise-en-scene, in this case the lighting shows Christina as being angelic as the the natural appearing light from the sun, shines in onto her as if it was a spotlight. It gives off a very beautiful image. The result of this will make her appear even more innocent and give the audience an even better perspective on how her emotions will be important throughout the music and even how much she wants her audience to feel empathy for her.

Here we are able to see as an audience how much particular shots in the music video can show a number of different things. Here we see a mid shot of Christina swinging and performing to her circus audience. Her outfit is very glamorous and her hair and makeup is done to perfection. Her facial expression is displayed in a way that makes her appear happy, almost as if it is solely put on for the performance at the circus. This is what ultimately makes the audience feel the emotions behind the narrative. The way the fake smile is put on for the audience may suggest how she feels within the music industry today. Here Christina is viewed as an actual person with feelings rather then just someone who sings and performs and that it. Everything seen in this mid shot connotes the pop genre also as she looks very pretty and glamorous.

This theory of being run of her feet and unhappy with her career in the music video continues through the use of editing in the music video 'Hurt'. We are able to see her leave and take a bow after her performance but the editing has been distorted, it actually see's her being speed up as she leaves resembling her as being in a rush, in addition to this we are able to see red striped effect in the editing process that makes the film appear older. Due to the increase in speed of the actual footage, audience members may pity Christina as it looks and make it out to believe that she is swept of her feet. This makes it harder for Christina as a performer not to appear as an object, this is because she has intentionally made herself seem like a performing monkey to make her audience pity her.

The emotion in this music video continues to be shown through the impact of mise-en-scene. We are able to see Christina crushed and ambushed in a crowd of fans and member of her staff. This presents how hard it can be to be famous and have relationships outside of the music industry, as seen through her body language here we see her reaching out to her dad but getting pulled away from him which is a very emotional part of the scene. This causes the audience to really feel alot of emotion towards the narrative and concept Chrisitna has in her music video 'Hurt.' We are able to understand how Christina is not only using her self to sell the music and the video, but a very emotional and heavily impacted emotional narrative, that may even resemble her relationship with her own dad at the time. This relates to a huge part of her audience that may have experienced a loss at some time in her life and although she still looks amazing and performs, her emotions are the same as everyone elses who watches her music video.

The close up shot here is the final element of cinematography to show emotion. We are able to see tears falling down her ears as she sings about her loss and her hurt in life. The fact that we are able to see actual tears and emotion on her face that suggests she is truly sad will be the final piece to provide the image of normality to her audience. The fact that she cries and is able to present all of her emotion is not only a good way to relate to the audience but is also an element of goodwins theory as she is able to demonstrate her acting skills as well.

The editing in this video is alot more modern overall it allows the audience to see Christina's humor before the actual music video even starts, the text we see here demonstrates how this video can manipulate the audience into believing this is very female empowering before even starting to watch. This resembles how she first started out also by how her music video 'What a Girl Wants' is able to show some behaviour that is more pro women then men. This may unite some long lost fans of hers and bring them together to be able to get a more of a feminist vibe from her music videos.

Through the use of cinematography here we are able to see how this close up shows her facial features in a lot of detail. Her make up has changed drastically by being able to see that her skin has a lot more base on it, her skin looks darker and more tanned, which may suggest the use of fake tan and bronze. Her lips are pale and plain compared to what they where in her last video. Her eyes are very full and show very long and blackened lashes. Her jewellery also suggests that her overall look has changed throughout the era's and she intends to be more edgy and unique through the specific make up and accessories choices here.

Compared to her other music videos being in a large hall or circus setting, the setting and location in this music video continues to display how different and personal this video my be. Not in terms of emotion but maybe a more physical difference in the music videos. We know that being laid out on a bed the atmosphere of the music video has changed dramatically compared to the last two I have analysed. The audience may be able to see how much of a big difference Christina has made in her music videos now. This actually connotes to this genre as it enables the audience to see her in a more physical and sexual light.

The positioning of the characters in this particular music video allows us to really see a new side to Christina as an artist. The fact that the two characters are so close and personal to each other may suggest that relationships are now an importanting thing in her life. Audience members will look up to her, maybe admiring her for being so open in her sexuality and being able to display her take on men in a different way to how they are normally shown in female videos. Here we see Christina taking advantage of a male character which is not a very popular thing to do in the music industry. In addition to this is creates More controversy about her and in result creates more talk about her in the press, as she has given up the innocent 'good girl' image.

In continuation from the cinematography we are able to see the long shot of Christina walking away from the car with the male inside it. The fact that we are able to see her whole body now as well lets the audience notice how now she a lot more curvier compared to how she was when she was younger. She also looks alot stronger now aswell as she is able to demonstrate how much she has changed. There was alot of negativity about her weight at the time, but throughout the music video she look amazing and embraces her curves. This relates highly with her target audience and fan base as she is able to produce a much more relateable image to her audience as she is someone who is able to combat the views of the press and let her audience feel empowered by giving them the image that it is okay to be different. In addition to this her audience will see her in a different light and ultimately be able to present a very classical impression that she is not as extraordinary as people thought and her audience will favour her for this as they see elements of herself in this. 

The lighting in this particular image of Christina is alot more darker and more edgy on her face then before and allows her to be alot more darker in her views and actions within the music video. We are able to see her looking directly at the camera and being able to see how much of an impact she has over the men in a negative way this is why she is portrayed in a darker light. This is what enables the audience to envy her for being so 'rebellious' to all the hate she was getting at the time, in addition to this she is using her emotion to act very reckless in the video as well as being very provocative in the music video.

    Finally there is a demonstration of her rebellion through the use of editing. We are able to see a large pink explosion of the male and his car. The audience will immediately see the difference in the way her attitude is through the use of the big pink explosion as they are able to see how much of an attitude she has after walking away and being a lot more empowering and lovable in the way she does it. This juxtaposes to her first video in a huge way as to begin with the visuals in her music video made it seem like she was trying to appeal to a male, whereas in reality in one of her most modern videos she is presented as being a lot more empowering and this changes her attitude in the music videos drastically.

    The analysis of this particular artist allows me to learn about how quickly an artist's status can become the past. I have learnt that no matter how famous someone is sometimes they need to take a step back and really consider how they are going to get back in the limelight. For example in Christina Aguilera's case she needed to vamp up her style and her music genre, this meant that by modernising her look her music turned from RnB to a more pop feeling. Her physical look changed dramatically as she was able to really sexualise herself by wearing more revealing clothes and create a new image of herself. Her attitude of feminism as changed through the portrayal of her videos too. As women have been given more rights and are actually very powerful in the music industry she has used this to empowering herself and her female audience. This will not only be seen as 'good' in the eyes of feminists but in addition to this we are able to see Christina as someone who is turning something successful into something that will make her successful, as she has grown and changed the artist, Christina Aguilera has changed in a way that seems to fit to her personal style and outlook on life. Which is something I need to consider when creating my won music video as I will have to look into a way to attract an audience and keep them interested in the future.