How does the camerawork construct the representation of gender?

Ariana grande-focus 

The first shot of the music video draws back from ariana grandes midriff (where she poses at a side angle), already, without the music video even begining the shot presents her as a "sexy" persona. When the video does start the audeince is presented with a series of flashes, showing Grande in seductive poses and the different angles of her - e.g. extreme close ups of her lips, eyes,legs. By doing this, we can argue that the camerawork objectifies her body, admiring her features at different angles and frames.These extreme close ups are fairly typical in a music video by a female artist; another example could be Christina aguilera -Dirrty. Whereas in Male Pop music videos, I've noticed that these "seductive" extreme close ups are more rare.This perhaps backs up Mulvey's male gaze theory, where the camera takes on the perspective of a hetrosexual man.

Throughout the video, there are several variations of camera framing -such as long shots ,zooming in and away from the singer (again whist she is in sexually suggesting poses). This makes the audience not only view her intimate features but view her figure from a distance. Alternatively, the high contrast lighting also emphasises her physicque and curves, so the audience can focus more on her "shape". With this fact alone, it already backs up the male gaze theory. As the audience you are presented with a music video by a female artist designed to gratify partiularly hetrosexual male viewers. As for other girls or women, they may naturally find themself comparing their own physical attributes to the singer, possibly lowering their self confidence or become influenced and aspire to be just like the singer. Either way, the way in which woman are potrayed in this video is not particularly empowering or influential in good terms, but seductive in fashion -conveying the wrong messages.

Furthermore, the outfits in which Grande is wearing alongside her backup dancers can be described as "skimpy"as they are tight, short and bare a quite alot of skin. At one point in the music video, bare long legs are seem pointing from the wall...this therefore reinforces the statement that the female body is made to be admired, or as an object for pleasure.


Overall, i'd say that although this music video is not the most explicit content representing woman, it's also not the prime example of  how woman should be perceived in society. From the costume, sultry poses, extreme close ups, and long/mid shots, the representation of woman in this video carries a sexy and flirtatious vibe. This can be interpreted positively or negatively; positive in the way that a woman should be comfortable to show her skin and embrace confidence, but negative as it connotes wrong or sexual inferences to the audience.