Who wants to read something hilarious? It's an essay I just unearthed from my very first paper at uni, 6 years ago! A kii tbh. It's about Katy and the "Firework" video.
Purpose of spectacle in contemporary society
The purpose of spectacle in contemporary society is to impose its authority upon audiences and to arouse passion and excitement (Schirato et al 138). Katy Perrys music video for her song Firework upholds these ideals clearly identifying Perry as the star, with her internationally recognised celebrity status being powerful enough to impose authority over audiences and in the music video, her fans. Passion and excitement is illustrated by characters in the music video overcoming their troubles and insecurities resulting in fireworks erupting from their hearts, which is commercialised through the sale of the song as a self-empowerment anthem for audiences struggling with similar issues.
The spectacle of Firework incorporates Katy Perry as the star who, at the beginning of the video, stands on a high balcony overlooking a city and her imposed authority (Schirato et al 138) is evident through her status in the video. Perry is presented as a peace muse giving inspiration to a variety of troubled individuals and a focus on her solitarily singing while others are together provides a point of identification for the audience as she is presented as the storyteller of the video. The purpose of this authority is to elevate the spectacle onto a higher level than the audiences, asserting its power over them.
Passion and excitement is used in Firework to capitalise on the emotions/feelings the song is intended to provoke to sell the song through multiple short stories depicting troubled and insecure youths overcoming their issues. The music video shows a girl overcoming her weight issues after reluctantly stripping down to a bikini at a pool party along with a gay guy gaining enough courage to approach and kiss another guy at a club. These stories, amongst others, depict troubles that Katys target audience, teenagers, would experience and relate to with the aspect of passion and excitement drawing from their affection towards these characters through their relation of having similar feelings.
Firework exhibits imposed authority (Schirato et al 138) strongly through the use of Katy Perry's celebrity status. She is shown as a glamourized beacon of peace for all troubled youths who find inspiration and courage to overcome their issues through the celebration of 'finding their spark', the overall message of the song. The relationship between Perrys real life fans and the ones in her video arouses passion and excitement as the real fans feel they can connect to their music video counterparts. The purpose of this is to make audiences feel connected to the song so they will also purchase it, appealing to the ultimately commercial nature of the spectacle.
How talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, **** on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it if Katy wore this
How talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, **** on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it if Katy wore this
That dress is hideous and I would burn every copy of Teenage Dream I have and jump on it with stilettos on
1:26 powerhouse, better than Bey vocals One of the hottest performances (and best vocally) she's ever done
How talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, **** on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it of Katy to do this
A kii tbh. It's about Katy and the "Firework" video.
Purpose of spectacle in contemporary society
.
the top half of the second pic is a disaster
.
One of the hottest performances (and best vocally) she's ever done
Her QMVR