The music video for Lizzo's 'Boys' subverts gender stereotypes by presenting males in the way that females are often represented in music videos. She presents them in a very voyeuristic way, which is in keeping with the lyrics as she is constantly talking about the physical features that she finds attractive in boys. Lizzo herself is also presented in quite a masculine way, such as the use of low shots of her singing and posing at the camera. Lizzo and two of her dancers are also depicted standing in front of urinals which is a very unusual shot as often female singers are presented as being seductive or sexy but it is an unflattering wide shot of them supposedly urinating.
There is also an intertextual reference to singer Amy Winehouse which is shown through Lizzo wearing a high updo and flower in it which was Winehouse's iconic look. She is also wearing a leopard print jacket which fits Winehouse's style.
Men are represented in a very voyeuristic way, seen through them just standing and being passively filmed rather than actively engaging. Also, you often just see their bodies or small sections of their face which removes their identity and objectifies them.
Gender roles are reversed in this video additionally through Lizzo standing being surrounded by men and the men just standing to be looked at. There is also a man seen topless holding a rose with a low shot and him looking directly into the camera, and acting in quite a traditionally feminine way.
The codes and conventions of subverting gender stereotypes is what i aim to emulate in my music video, but not using traditional representations of boys and girls. I also like the use of an ensemble cast and the grid with lots of different people which i also aim to emulate.
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