This document provides a summary and analysis of Beyoncé's music video for "Pretty Hurts." It discusses the video's themes of women's insecurities, self-acceptance, and the negative impacts of unrealistic beauty standards. The video takes place at a beauty pageant and shows the contestants struggling to meet society's definition of beauty through excessive makeup and restrictive outfits. It highlights each woman's inherent beauty and power in an effort to inspire self-confidence regardless of appearance. Through its portrayal of women in diverse sizes and shapes, the video aims to teach its target audience of teenagers and young adults to accept themselves as perfect just as they are.

1. CASE STUDY 1
BEYONCÉ - PRETTY HURTS

2. SYNOPSIS
Beyoncé’s hit song ‘Pretty hurts’ is about the
competition between women in the world. The video
teaches us that make up and clothes can not change
what your mind thinks of yourself, and that people
should stop caring about the way they look and
comparing it to the way other women look, because
everyone is beautiful and unique in their own. Trying
to be ‘perfect’ is a disease, and it can not be cured.
People should accept themselves. The title that to be
pretty, hurts is contradicting because no matter how
much you try, the only way you will be happy is to
accept and yourself, no matter how you look. The
video is self explanatory as we see Beyoncé
struggling to be ‘pretty’ or the media’s definition of
pretty in a competition although she has won so
many trophies, they no longer hold any value.

3. MOTIFS AND THEMES
• Holds an inspirational and truthful meaning behind the video, talks about
women insecurities and how its effecting the world.
• Themes of inspiration, power, independence, portrayal of women, self
representation, insecurities and imperfections.
• The music video highlights the beauty and power each women holds, and
the way negative impacts on yourself can effect your life. The change will
only be seen in attitude towards yourself.
• Shows images of women in all different sizes, shapes and colour.

4. MISE-EN-SCENE
• The video takes place in a beauty Pageant – competition between each women
• Everyone seems to be getting ready, in sparkly dresses and wearing a lot of make
up. This connotes that what you are wearing and the way you look does not
matter.
• Another location is in the dressing room – where girls are arguing and fighting
with each other to win this competition, instead of respecting each other.
• We the audience are also taken to the the toilets to show the effects and
insecurities people have on weight which can lead to anorexia
• Characters struggle to feel comfortable within themselves as they try to adjust
their body.

5. LIP SYNCING AND TARGET AUDIENCE
Due to this being a professional music video, the lip syncing seems to be very good and
in tune with the actual beat of the music. This could be due to the singer or the great
editing skills, and executing the video very well.
The music video is generally targeted at teenagers and young adults as they
transmission into adulthood. Within this age frame many people feel very insecure
about themselves and the portrayal of women through the media influences the
younger generation even more, into becoming the person they see in movies or
magazines. However it is not always possible too look a certain way therefore leads to
many side effects and insecurities, the video leads the audience to believe that everyone
is perfect whatever size or form, and we should just be comfortable in our own skin.

6. SHOTS AND CAMERA
• Many camera shots are used through out the
video, shots such as close up/mid shots are used,
long shots, high/low shots, birds eye, depth of field
and establishing shot are used to create a sense of
style through each image and shot so the audience
has a clear idea of what is happening.
This is a close up
which shows the
emotion and facial
expressions of
Beyoncé
High shot- shows who
has the power in this
instants the surgeon
has power over
Beyoncé