Research task 2 - Star image - Lady Gaga

In 1985, Richard Dyer’s stated that ‘stardom is constructed from a range of materials’. This shows that stars are created through the use of many different mediums and not just one. This is shown with Lady Gaga this is because she would not have become a star without all of the mediums. These different mediums include her music videos, her website and her Cd covers. Her star image is also created by her live performances and all of her media coverage. 

During Lady Gaga’s music videos there is a lot of voyeurism (an example of this is from her the video below) this is created through the mise-en-scene. The costumes which she wears will make males ‘gaze’ at her in a sexualised manner (this relates to the Freud’s theory). Some females will ‘gaze’ at her in admiration and wish to be her. Mulvey says that cinema is gendered in a way which women are on display and they are sexualised through the act of looking – this theory is shown in most if not all of Lady Gaga’s music videos.

The mise-en-scene which is used in Lady Gaga’s music videos creates a rich atmosphere (this rich atmosphere is shown in her music video pokerface - below) . The locations which are used create this rich atmosphere this could be to create a star image for her of being rich. This could be so people look up to her and wish to be her.

During Lady Gaga’s music videos she often uses narrative and performance. Her music videos cut between both narrative and performance this could be so her passion for music is shown but also it shows the fun side of her which creates a major part of her star image.

Her music videos show a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals on screen. This will be to reinforce the message which is being conveyed, both the lyrics and the visuals will create her individual star image. 

During her music videos there are many close-ups of Lady Gaga this will be to create her star image. These close ups are there to create a relationship between the audiences of the video and Lady Gaga. These close ups allows the audiences to create a direct address and close observations of her facial expressions, body language and gestures. All of these create her individual star image. The close ups which show her face, parts of her face are usually covered in these close ups this could be to cover up some of her identity and also to create part of her star image. This star image is also used on her album covers because she is usually wearing a lot of eye makeup or wearing sunglasses or masks. 

During her music videos her non-verbal communications and her body language are very sexualised and suggestive. However these actions are also linked to her lyrics which creates a strong relationship between the visuals of the video and the lyrics which are being sung.

On all of Lady Gaga’s album covers she uses the same font, this could be to create continuity between the different albums also this creates part of her star image. This font is also used on her website which creates a cross media star image. Throughout both her album covers and her website most of the words are written in white or red. This is quite contrasting to the black/dark backgrounds; this dark background could be to represent her darker personality.

On her album covers there are photographs of her which express her individual star image. This image is different to the conventional ones of pop artists this is because it is more dark and twisted to what you expect of the pop genre. A lot of the photographs are in black and white however her lipstick is bright red this could be to represent lust, passion, sex which is key parts of her star image.

In the background of Lady Gaga’s website there is a big picture of her this could be to reinforce her star image and so people can see her personality clearly as soon as they enter the site, and while they are searching on the site (as the picture is on every page).

In an interview with about.com Lady Gaga was asked ‘Whats the story behind the song ‘Paparazzi’, because there’s been a few interpretations of it?’ Her response to this question was ‘Well I'm so glad there are a few different interpretations, that was the idea. The song is about a few different things – it's about my struggles, do I want fame or do I want love? It's also about wooing the paparazzi to fall in love with me. It's about the media whoring, if you will, watching ersatzes make fools of themselves to their station. It's a love song for the cameras, but it's also a love song about fame or love – can you have both, or can you only have one?’

In her video ‘paparazzi’ (shown above) these idea of her are portrayed well and it is obvious to be able to create a relationship between her initial ideas and the visuals and lyrics from the music video. In this interview her star image is also created this being from her wanting the ‘paparazzi to fall in love’ with her. This is shown throughout her star image because she always tries to get the paparazzi fall in love with her - this being from her close ups with the camera during her music videos, the fact that on her cd covers there are mainly close ups.

Throughout many different mediums Lady Gaga has created a very individual star image. This star image is shown during her; music videos, album covers, lyrics, website, live performances and all of her media coverage. She also carries this star image while she is giving interviews and is in the public eye. The fact that this star image is always with her makes people create a link between the different mediums making it easy for people to recognise her in different circumstances. Lady Gaga’s star image is very individual and unique and does not conform to the genre characteristics of pop music.