Music Video Analysis (Katy Perry)

The music video opens with a establishing shot which displays a wedding, opening the video with a clear theme. The next shot is of Katy Perry dressed to look very extravagant, and involves the priest asking her questions upon the marriage, this introduces her as a very beautiful and normal woman. After this the other man is introduced, he doesn't answer the questions upon the marriage and a look of frustration is shown from Katy Perry. This now shows another side to her which breaks her up a bit and gives her more character. This is done to show the audience there is almost a good and a bad side to her. Next the man runs into a concert. Katy Perry is singing on stage, here she is dressed to give more of a sex appeal, she is wearing a low cut top and short skirt. This aims to establish a link between Katy Perry and her audience who find her attractive. After this the man is approacher by Katy Perry and other females dancing. They are all wearing fairly revealing costumes, but the costumes are made to look like wedding attire. Katy is dressed in a short wedding dress with a large bow on it and later continues to chase after the man on a bicycle. As she is dancing it shows again sex appeal but also gives the viewer a look at the more fun side of her, building her as a character, like a star. This is important as it is good evidence for Dyer's star image theory, that a star is made. Finally the man approaches another version of Katy Perry, this time dressed more casually, backed by dancers also dressed to look more casual. With props such as a boom box and graffiti, it gives Katy a very street like character. This aims to connect a link with a different group of viewers, Katy is portrayed in many different ways throughout the video all in an attempt to present her sexually, in a fun way and establish links with social groups. It is a successful video because all round it is a bit fun and very un-realistic, which not only goes with the lyrics of the song but also presents Katy Perry as a almost wild and fun girl, fitting into a pop princess category.