pussy cat dolls- buttons

Pussycat dolls-buttons
This is a performance based music video, which begins with a mid shot of the famous hip hop artist Snoop Dog. He is wearing clothing which is stereotypical associated with the hip hop genre, for example he is wearing a hoody and baseball cap. Artist which are from the Hip Hop genre are represented as tough and powerful people. Therefore it can be said that the male gender in this video are being represented as the more powerful and dominant. We the cut to a long shot of snoop Dog, which is shot from a low angle making Snoop Dog appear much bigger and look more powerful. Next there is a cut to a shot from which the camera is positioned near to Snoop Dogs Hip, in this shot it appears as though the female singer is only up to Snoop Dogs waist in height. This makes the female singer apart of the girl group seem inferior to the male.
The editing technique shot reverse shot is being used to position us from behind the female singer looking at snoop Dog. The camera is once again positioned from a low angle making Snoop Dog seem much bigger than the female singer, which may connote he is more dominant than her. Also the fact that she has followed his instruction in the lyrics, “Come holla at me”, shows his dominance over her. The female singer is wearing a hoody which may signify she has an interest in rappers; also her clothing is revealing showing that she is trying to also use her looks to attract audiences to the music video.
Next, there is a cut to a long shot from a low angle of the entire girl group performing. The girl shown at the beginning is at the front suggesting she is the lead singer. Here through the lyrics we see that the female characters are challenging the male stereotype through the lyrics,” you keep fronting” and “I aint seen nothing”. Along with the following members of the group the lead singer is represented as a strong woman. This is different to how she was represented at the start, so it mayt be suggested that she feels more powerful with her fellow group members. Post feminist would say that the girl group is the more dominant in this video and that they are exercising their sexuality without being forced by anyone.
In the next scene we see the group walking into a circular structure. Here we see the group performing and acting promiscuously, Feminist would say that they are doing this in order to attract male audiences by acting as sexual objects, they would also think that this is a negative representation of the female gender. The pussycat dolls then begin to dance on a pole structure, this prop may connote that they are promiscuous girl group along with their provocative clothing. This is because a pole is commonly associated with sexual behaviour, it also is being used to show off their talents as some of the girls show there extreme flexibility.
We then see the lead singer go off by herself to a area which has many gold chains dangling. This may show that the female is glamorous and classy. She is positioned in the frame to show her importance and that she is the centre of attention. The fact that she is playing with the chains may show that she enjoys having fun and amusing herself. Through the lyrics she is still challenging the male gender saying “I wonder if I am just too much for you”. Here she is saying that the male she is talking about is not up to her standards. This shows her strength and confidence, representing the female gender positively.
Next we cut to a close up of snoop Dog, wearing sunglasses, a chain and other jewellery props associated with the Hip Hop genre. Here he is now shown from a straight angle, which may suggest that the male and female genders are being represented as equally powerful. The music then changes slightly making it sound like music associated with belly dancing, which is a style of dancing mostly performed by woman for men. This also once again shows off the talents of the group as they are able to show there dancing skills. So it can be said that this dancing scene maybe interpreted in many ways. Feminist would say the girl group are degrading themselves, whereas post feminist would argue they are showing off their talents. We also see special effects showing smoke come of the girls this may connote that they are very “hot” and attractive. There is also a blaze of fire which may further reinforce that the girl group is “hot”. The music video ends with the girls walking away in a confident and powerful manner, making them seem like strong women.
Overall, the “buttons” music video is a video which can be interpreted in many ways. I would say that the females are being represented as powerful and strong woman, as throughout the video they are challenging the stereotype that males are more superior. Some may also say that the video does degrade the female gender because of the provocative clothing and sexual behaviour of the girl group. The male singer in the video it can be said is representged very stereotypically through his Hip Hop clothing and behaviour.