representation case study; Blu Cantrell

representation case study; Blu Cantrell

This music video by Blu Cantrell subverts the typical and conventional stereotypes of women in music videos with them known to have been sex icons, inferior, soft, provocative, and passive. Blu Cantrell subverts this as we see her as a very dominant character compared to the men in the music video. The male roles however would typically be aggressive, fully dressed and a figure that the women parade around while there singing or dancing.

There are many ways that the micro aspects have conveyed the subversion of the stereotypical woman in a music video. The music video opens with a shot of her driving in a convertible BMW car. This connotes that she has replaced the typical role of a man and instead of being told where to go she puts herself in charge and has become the more dominant character. Also the dance moves are very subtle not too provocative and not performed in a sexual way.  One of the locations in the music video is a shopping mall, in this part she again subverts the typical stereotypes of female gender as people typically see women as dependable and would expect a male role to take care of them however she goes on her own accord and buys what she chooses.

Not intending to be a sexual and provocative music video there are however many close ups of her face and also long shots of her body but without any revealing clothes on. These shot types convey that she is indeed a pretty woman and can be classed as sexy; however she does not come across as a sex icon or as a passive woman.

However it is also evident that there are mixtures of high and low angel shots. The low angle shot connotes that she is a powerful female with authority and control whereas this is most seen as a man’s perspective which subverts the typical music video. When a high angle appears this connotes that although she has a dominant status, there are times where she is weak and vulnerable. Compared to a typical music video Blu Cantrell would have been film with a long shot conveying her body and dance moves, with the male/lead singer being paraded around by very attractive women wearing very revealing clothes whilst the men are fully dressed

Combined with the mise en scene and cinematography the editing techniques again subvert the typical female role in a music video. The used of the long takes on her as she sings and acts out in the video shows that she is a powerful character and in control within the video. Also the brightness and contrast having been altered creates a sense of power as it becomes very bright and radiant making her seem a much bigger character.

Through Blu Cantrell’s ‘Ooops’ we are as and audience able to see that she wilfully subverts the belief of misogynist, as she takes on both the role of a male and female in this music videos .