A Critical Analysis of Katy Perry's "Firework"

RE:  Blog Entry #2 - A Critical View of Music Videos

For this assignment, I decided to analyze Katy Perry's music video for her newest hit, "Firework" as directed by Dave Meyers.

Here's the music video for that video:

And here is my analysis of that video.

Initial Reaction

My immediate reaction to this video is that it's very well done.  I initially see that the music video perfectly portrays the song's message and name.

Analysis and Interpretation

I think this video was created to further promote Katy Perry's new single.  I also think it was created because, since it was her newest hit, it gave a chance for her fans to see how Katy interpreted her song and to see if their views were similar to hers.  A theme promoted in this video is to believe in yourself and know that you're just as strong, great and bold as a firework.  Although I don't think this theme perfectly aligns with Gospel values, I know they don't go against them.  This theme focuses more on the moral value of believing in oneself and to know that we are worth it.

Consideration of Cultural Context

Events that could have influenced the musician or the director to create this music is video is that he, she or a close friend had to go though a really hard time in their life.  They could have possibly been bullied, had really serious insecurities or were possibly just not accepted in their community.  In the end though, they probably overcame these obstacles and issues and were able to believe in themselves again.

Expression of Aesthetic Judgement

The cinematography, storyline and acting, and performance works quite well in this music video, in my opinion.  All the acting done in this video, other than Katy that is, portrays how someone who's really insecure becomes stronger and begins to believe in his- or herself.  A great example of this is one of the girls in the video.   This girl doesn't have the body society and media likes to see, but she is at a pool party and is afraid to get in the water with her friends because of her insecurities with her body.  As the music video progresses though, she begins to believe in herself and gains the courage to get in the pool and enjoy the party with her friends.

The only choreography that's used in this music video is at the end of the video, and I think it worked well with the music.  Despite this, I don't think the choreography worked with the storyline.  The choreography by itself was very good and really worked with the music, but really didn't relate to the storyline of the music video.  This is because it was only showed at the end at it seemed a bit random and out of place for me.

The only special effects used in this video was the fireworks coming out of everyone's chest.  Even though the song is called "Firework", and although I understood the concept of having the fireworks coming out of everyone's chest, I didn't think it worked quite well with the song.  To me, it seemed kind of random and the director just had to incorporate fireworks somehow throughout the entire video because of the song's title.  I would have liked to seen an entire firework spectacle only at the end, which the video did have.  Now, despite the fact that I did not like how the visuals were incorporated, it really gave me a better understanding of what Katy meant when she sang her lyrics "you're a firework."  This is because some fireworks I've seen are actually just very small and short lived sparks - the fireworks in this video were big and constant bursts of light that brightened everyone's attitude.

Ongoing Reflection

This music video influenced my perception of the song in different ways.  One way it affected me was my perception of Katy's definition of "firework".  Now, every time I hear this song, I will see big bursts of light and big firework spectacles, not just small sparks.  It also improved my perception on how many different types of people can be positively affected by this song.  Like the child with the disease in the video, it can give strength and hope for one to know that they are still worth it and that perhaps they can beat whatever they're struggling with.

All in all, I was satisfied with Katy Perry's music video for her single, "Firework".

-x-x-x-x-x-

NOTE TO MY TEACHERS:

I really hope this music video wasn't offending to anyone and is acceptable in our Catholic school!

-Jercy