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Katy Perry
When studying a music video, it is always helpful to break it down and analyse some of the key shots.
Typical jungle setting, links to title of the song
Roar – title prominently displayed so audience knows what to expect
Tiger colours link to title and setting
Cartoon/animation, looks comic book in style – this could suggest a younger audience but is more likely reminiscent of the jungle movies from the 50s
Phrase at the bottom suggests this is more of a short film than a music video.
Establishing shot – plane crashed in jungle leaving only two survivors
High angle to suggest the weakness/inferiority of the survivors in the situation
Sunrise suggests morning and new beginnings. It also highlights the beauty of nature
The iconography of the broken plane, the cargo, debris and the flames in the background make it very clear they will not escape any time soon and are in a very difficult situation
Point of View shot – male survivor taking selfies and pouting shows how he isn’t taking the situation seriously.
Usually females are the ones taking selfies, so this role reversal suggests that he is vain, self-obsessed and tells us a little about their relationship
The action of taking a selfie dates the video as being post 2010
Close up shows character’s shock and fear at the moment just after her boyfriend is mauled by a tiger.
The setting is dark suggesting she is clearly in danger.
Her big doe eyes, pale pink lips and long flowing hair portrays her as a victim, she is not prepared for the dangers of the jungle
Mid-Shot shows character’s intense fear at the tarantulas crawling on her.
Exaggerated facial expressions help the audience to be clear on her emotions as there is no speech to convey this.
Legs and thigh on show reminding the audience of her femininity and portraying her as an object to be looked at.
Her clothing is not very practical and so she is unprepared for the jungle environment.
This shot is in contrast to later shots where she is portrayed as being very much in control and prepared for the jungle environment.
Mid-Shot shows character behaving in an animalistic way, on all fours and roaring.
Her facial expression conveys strength and power.
Her primal behaviour shows how she is connecting with nature and becoming more confident in her new environment.
The beauty of nature is evident all around her and the darkness no longer appears scary due to the light of the fireflies all around.
Wide shot establishes the jungle scene all around and the sunlight is streaming through the canopy and foliage conveying the beauty of the scene.
The character’s stance is confident with a sense of defiance, she is clearly in control.
The character has fashioned a spear out of her stiletto heel and some bamboo and is holding it as you would a flag to mark your territory.
Her clothing has changed a little, becoming a little more practical although still allowing much of her body to be on display. It is also reminiscent of cave women in historical films.
Unlike previously, the character is no longer fearing nature and animals. The monkey appears to look up at her as if she is more dominant and there is a real sense of the character being at one with nature now.
Wide shot establishes the jungle scene all around, reminding the audience.
A low angle shot and the colourful clothing of the character puts her in a superior position, suggesting she is a dominant figure.
The character’s stance is confident, her body language is open giving a sense of defiance; she is clearly in control.
Her clothing has changed again. The skimpiness of her clothing forces the audience to gaze at her body and objectify her. The leopard print design and skirt made from leaves indicates her closeness with the nature around her.
Wide shot establishes the character as Queen of the Jungle. She appears to be sitting on a throne, surrounded by all the elements of nature and wearing a flower crown. There are wild animals at her feet and watching from behind, as if protecting her and her outstretched arms suggest she is trying to connect with them all.
The leaves and exotic flowers are fanned out behind her. This display is reminiscent of a peacock’s feathers, displayed to show off and attract the interests of a mate. In this sense, her outstretched arms may be suggesting she is about to take flight.
Just to the left of the character is a fedora/jungle hat, similar to the one worn by Indiana Jones. This hat may be more familiar as one worn in the Australian Jungle by some of the celebrities from ‘I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!’
There is a lot of the character’s flesh on show and the open legs, obscured only by a few leaves, gives a highly sexualised impression of the character. Her leg straps accentuate her calves and her arm bands remind us of her strength and power.
A Close Up sees the character taking a selfie. This references the early shot of her boyfriend taking a selfie when they first landed on the island. However, instead of a suggestion of vanity through pouting, the character here is simply having fun with her monkey friend, pulling silly faces.
A wide shot shows the character immersed in nature. The animal and the human world have collided and now they all live together, in harmony.
To the right, the character has made a human item out of nature, a hammock out of leaves and mats. A parrot is sitting on it showing how integrated the two worlds have become.
The tiger lays at her feet wearing a collar, just as a pet cat would, showing his submission to her.
The character’s relaxed body language shows how comfortable she now feels in this environment, a huge comparison to how the video started.
