Telephone- Lady GaGa Ft. Beyoncé Analysis

The music video officially starts at 2:50 when Lady GaGa receives a phone call from Beyoncé. Judging by the high fences and barbed wire that goes around them, GaGa seems to be in a high security women's prison. She is wearing mostly black at first which could connote sophistication and mystery. This ties in well with the music video (but not so much with the lyrics to the song) as the audience do not know why she's in this prison and what the main objective of the music video is. The many small silver studs on her jacket and bra give her outfit and her persona an edge to them. Silver also signifies glamour and wealth. At the back of her jacket the studs look quite pointed and sharp which makes her look quite dangerous. The two women either side of Lady GaGa also help to keep the theme of danger as the blonde woman is holding a chain and the brunette has chains around her, which signifies that they are trapped and are being restricted.

The close up on her face lets the audience see her emotion and reaction to the phone call. She is wearing red lipstick which signifies love, lust or danger. The drama of a close up can be amplified by an unusual angle which is done during the close up of her mouth.

Ambi editing is used during this video which keeps the audience entertained as they aren't stuck on the same image for too long, it also lets the audience enjoy the beat to the music. Later on in the video, Beyoncé is introduced to the audience by bailing Lady GaGa out of jail. Both women are wearing black which enhances the theme of mystery, however, Lady GaGa is also wearing white. White connotes purity, innocence, softness and is usually associated with light. The white makes Lady GaGa seem almsot angelic. The use of costume in these frames could give the audience the impression that Lady GaGa is "good" and as Beyoncé is in all black, that she is "bad."

This music video has a narrative but also promotes both artists. Cutting to the beat is essential and is used to maintain the relationship between the visuals and the temp of the music. High key lighting is used to make this video seem realistic.