Analysis of Dark Horse

1. Detailed Analysis of 'Dark Horse' EMILIA PRATT

2. Dark Horse

3. • Video starts with a wide shot of the sea- then zooms into the boat- shows that’s the focus • Gives us context and a narrative- "Memphis... a crazy long time ago..." • Sunset- symbolic of beauty • The colour palette draws attention, and also gives the sense of excitement, warmth...

4. • Zooms into the boat shot- the centre of attention for the audience • Katy Perry in the middle- she is the focus of this video. • She's dressed differently to the dancers around her- stands out. • The two dancers are facing her. • Wide shot establishes the location for this scene • Katy Perry's body language and hairstyle represent the time era and location she is in- her hair and makeup too. (Egyptian girl) • From the start the audience know she holds some sort of power in this place. • Dancers moves are clean and sharp- adds to the elegance.

5. • Lots of close ups of Katy Perry- again just highlight her importance. • Long takes of her- more screen time compared to everyone else. • Accessories are mostly gold, look expensive, make her look wealthy and powerful. • Heavy eye makeup- reflects the time period, follows the narrative. • Lots of short, jumpy takes at the start but always cuts back to Katy Perry- shes powerful. • Quick, clean, sharp movements of the hand • Confident facial expressions, looks into the camera lesne as if she's directly addressing the audience making them feel more involved, but also portrays her as more confident and dominant.

6. • Change of location fairly quickly, gives the video a fast pace, keeps audience engaged. • Katy Perry's position- higher up than everyone on a big, elegant thrown. • Body language- although she is not verbally giving people orders it is clear she is telling people what to do just by the use of her body language. Her hand held- stern, bossy... • Not yet a clear narrative but gives the audience the idea that she hold authority in this location. • Men around her following her orders- subverts stereotypes. • Colour pallet: pinks + blues- femininity, secure and orderly. • Dancers very on beat with the music- clean and sharp.

7. Lyrics behind these shots I knew you were You were gonna come to me And here you are But you better choose carefully 'Cause I'm capable of anything Of anything and everything • Go with the video • Powerful • She takes control • Warns people what shes capable of and shows this throughout the video

8. • Man bringing her diamond to please her- again reverses the stereotypes of men being the 'dominant' ones. • Close ups of Katy Perry looking happy when the man brings this for her. • Big diamond- wealth, extravagant. • 'Blue men' act as protectors. They're guarding her thrown and check the men come through. • The blue men are also strong, dressed in gold and black which connotes wealth but also is magical- the music video can be said to be quite magical and mystical. Its not something from every day life which acts an an escape for audiences. Relates to the lyrics "So you want to play with magic" • People waiting on her hand and foot and her protection gives the idea that she is royalty. • In terms of editing, the camera always cuts back to Katy Perry- importance • Lots of close ups • A different outfit as well as location but still reflects the time period and follows the narrative. • Star persona comes across as extravagant and quirky.

9. • Lyrics: So you wanna play with magic Boy, you should know whatcha falling for Baby do you dare to do this 'Cause I'm coming atcha like a dark horse Are you ready for, ready for A perfect storm, a perfect storm 'Cause once you're mine, once you're mine There's no going back • This part of the scene relates to the lyrics- it’s a magical event where Katy Perry wants the jewel from the man so turns him into glitter with the blue lightning strike. • Creates a narrative for the audience • Portrays the manas inferior- did the wrong thing. Relates to "Baby do you dare to do this" He did the wrong thing and she "came at him like a dark horse" • Follows the magical theme • Katy Perry still has the control • In the shot on the top, the man is holding the diamond trying to impress Katy Perry, asking for her approval.

10. • Extravagant, over the top 'props' • Again the idea of things being brought to her- she isn't doing anything for herself. • Purple- connotations of strenth, transformation, power and royalty. • The use of the idea of a 'red carpet' (even though its pink its still the same concept)' is the idea that it used in reference to privileged treatment of the people walking up it towardsKaty Perry. • Birds eye shot shows the audience the whole view, making it seem grand and extravagant. Also shows the full amount of things being brought to her (a lot) • Still has her'guards' waiting on the sides- as if they’re waiting to defend her.

11. • Change of scene- keeping the audience engaged, although doesn't necessarily follow the 'narrative' • Only colour is gold- connotes wealth, passion, magic, wealth... which is a big focus of the video • The rest is in greys, black and white- neutralizes and balances the video although it does give the video a more dull feeling. • This scene almost has no screen time- fast pace editing- gives it little importance. • Snakes signified an important role in ancient Egypt, was a symbol of evil power which can relate to her lyrics "Cause I'm coming atchalike a dark horse"- can be seen as evil Egyptian Cobra- follows the location/ theme

12. • Denotation: • After the snake scene, we cut back to the scene where she is on the thrown. In this scene Katy Perry eats a food she doesn’t like and wants a drink, in which a man is waiting on her hand and foot with it. He does the wrong thing and gets 'electrocuted' with her blue light. He then falls and turns to glitter. • Connotation- she has the power and control to boss people about. Man is clearly inferior. • Cats around her are all the same, she's different, she stands out. • Cats run to bring her a drink. Making her happy is the main priority. • She stays in the centre of the shot throughout the majority of the video- focus of the video • She comes across as quite rude yet likeable for the audience because of who she is and the power she holds. • Keeps the magical element throughout with the blue 'killer' lightning.

13. • From 2 minutes 16 seconds the music video becomes very quick, fast pace and jumpy. The video jumps between multiple scenes in a very short amount of time which creates a fast pace and a build up- keeps the audience engaged. • New singer is introduced. • Interesting for the audience because new person on screen. • He clearly holds power- gets a lot of screen time compared to everyone else. • Center of the screen, close ups...

14. • These screenshots are two seconds apart and are shown as the lyrics say "If you get the chance you better keep her She swears by it but if you break her heart She turn cold as a freezer" • Her facial expressions refelct this. She appears to be happy and pleased when the new male appears in the scenes, but as soon as the mention of a 'broken heart' comes up her facial expressions and body language changes. She looks discussed at the thought of it, suggesting to the audience that she has been through something before like this that made her 'heartless' and possibly got her to this position of needing to be in control. • Creates a bit of a narrative-interesting for the audience. • Man still approaching her- still holds her position of power.

15. • Another change of location keeps the audience interested • Katy Perry can be seen as 'different' to audiences in this scene as she is more sexualised and out of character. • Still is dominant- at the front of the shot, people around her • She is in the bright light- people around her are not as well seen. Focus is still on her • Still fits the Egyptian theme.

16. • Dog comes on screen- Katy Perry sends him away..... • Dog is seen as cute and innocnet, may confuse audiences as to why • Portrays Katy Perry as quite 'mean' • Looks almost scared of the dog- may confuse audiences • Arm gesture- power, intimidating.

17. • This character in the video is introduced and Katy Perry's mood completely. • Clothing + makeup - follows the Egyptian theme • He also holds importance- close ups, centre of the screen. • Has 'guards' around him- protected, powerful. • Came for her, in a fancy, big carriage. He holds authority, possibly royalty. • Gives the audience the idea that there is a love affair between the two of them. • Facial expressions- bold, confident.

18. • Once the male character appears, Katy Perry appears in a new scene in a different setting. She's high up on a pyramid; reflective of the time era; in the sky. • Can connote that thismale character makes her feel this powerful and high up. • The sky has connotations of freedom, happiness... suggests that he makes her feel this way • Later on gains a big pair of wings- power, again symbol of freedom- could he be freeing her? • She has seemed to be more 'evil' and 'to be 'coming at you like a dark horse' throughout the video, but now is calmer and free.

19. • (Couldn't get rid of the suggestions) • Adds commedy to the music video as Katy Perry sent the dog away in the previous scene. Makes it more enjoyable for the audience. • Also portrays her in a 'different light'- she always got what she wanted, she wanted the manas he was and he turned into a dog. Takes away her power and control in a way.