Male gaze theory

The male gaze theory is the idea that the camera is a man that looks at and objectifies women. Camera shots are used to represent women in a sexual fantasy and from a heterosexual males point of view. Laura Mulvey believes that characters in film are meant to be viewed from the hetrosexual males point of view, and also focusing on how women view themselves. The most obvious camera shots used are pan ups from the legs upwards or cameras focusing and lingering on the curves of a females body
 An example of this is the film Transporters, actress Megan Fox is sexualised during a scene where her character opens a car bonnet, the camera shot lingers on the shape of her body and the scene becomes immediately sexualised as the shot is clearly from a males view point.

Recently singer Annie Lennox quoted...

"I have to say that im disturbed and dismayed by the recent state of overly sexualised performances and videos...You know the ones i'm talking about. It seems obvious that record companies are peddling highly styled pornography with musical accompaniment."

I both agree and disagree with this theory. I think that music videos have become oversexualised because sex sells and this is a very clever marketing technique. However I feel music is now judged solely on music videos, I think music has in a lot of ways has lost its meaning as a song with little meaning and a sexualised video often tops the charts. I feel strongly that music is now based on the celebrity themselves and society's obsession with fame. I do feel that music videos almost have to be sexualised to be acknowledged now as the music industry is extremely competitive. Its pushing the boundaries further and further every time a new music video is released, the next artist has to compete with the last increasing the sexualisation as time progresses. 

Miley Cyrus released her music video to the song "wrecking ball" recently, this music video both challenged this theory and encouraged it. The opening shot is Miley singing in a close up directly to camera, this portrays strength however shes wearing bright red lipstick which portrays sex and passion. The next camera shot reveals her masculine work boots followed by a high angle shot of her sexualising a hammer. Miley is shown in a full length shot with a wrecking ball destroying a wall in the background this gives her a sense of power and control however Mise en scene is controversial as shes wearing a white crop top and underwear. 

Marina and the Diamonds "How to be a heartbreaker" music video is my favourite music video. She is a strong feminist and challenged typical media conventions such as the male gaze theory in almost all of her music videos this is the reason why she is my favourite artist and I adore her music so much. This music video challenged the male gaze theory with a complete role reversal. 

In a typical music video women would be treated as an object for male appeal, Marina changes this and uses males instead. This makes her look very powerful. Mise en scene is used to challenge this also, she is wearing an outfit where she looks visually appealing but its not extremely revealing especially in contrast with the males in the background, the colour of her outfit is also black which is a masculine colour. Typical music videos would portray women as controlled and weak, a camera shot showing Marina checking her phone while receiving male attention shows her as in control and reverses this as the male looks needy and weak instead.

Looking at the ideas based around the male gaze theory and videos that both encourage and challenge it has given me a cleared idea on what I would like to include in my music video. I want to challenge the theory and create a sense of power with my talent. I will use high angle shots, mise en scene and direct mode of address to do this.