Textual analysis of the representation of Rihanna in her music video called 'Diamonds'

For textual analysis of the representation of the star image in a music video I have decided to choose one of the most famous music clips called ‘Diamonds’. In the music video, which I have chosen Rihanna is represented through camera shouts, angles and movements as well as muse-en-scene, sound and editing.

In the beginning of the music video close-up shot of diamonds represent that this is a high-budget film and that there is a comparison of a star with diamonds. Then close-up shots of Rihanna’s face shows that she is very relaxed, this therefore, represents that she does not have concerns. Additionally, close-up shots of her hands in water emphasize the fact that she is very relaxed as water may be associated with relaxation. Thus it may be argued that the star image of Rihanna in her music video called ‘Diamonds’ is shown as calm and reposeful. Additionally, wide shot of Rihanna in the desert represents her as a free person who does not depend on the surrounding people. Additionally, close-up shots of her in the water without make-up prove that she is very brave and free. This supports the fact that she has strong personality. Slow camera pace emphasizes the above mentioned suggesting that the purpose of this music video is to show that there is no concerns.

 

Furthermore, in this music video is represented through sound. It can be argued that sound is one of the main thing which is responsible for success in the music video. We can see connections between words in the song and images in the music video. First of all, the first scene of the music video illustrates a lot of diamonds, which are the key aspect in the song.

Moreover, in this music video the star image was also represented through different editing techniques. For example cross editing in the middle of the music video was used to represent Rihanna as a free person. Additionally, both scenes are completely different as the first scene has only image if Rihanna and close-up shots of her. Furthermore, slow editing pace in the scene with a house in desert was used was used to emphasise images from the first scene. This means that this editing technique was used to show freedom. Therefore, this represents Rihanna as a person who can make free decisions. Furthermore, the use of balck and white colours in the beginning of the music video was a clever idea as it allowed to create unusual atmosphere. This editing technique highlights that the main person in this video clip is Rihanna as it focuses attention of audience on he and her appearance.

Mise-en-scene is also used in this music video to represent the star image. First of all, such important props as diamonds were used in this music video to represent Rihanna as a wealthy and ssuccessful singer. This works by showing her as a person who can afford to buy diamons, which of course are very expensive. This makes her look as a powerful person because people who have money have more power in their hands. The fact that Rihanna represented without bright make-up shows her as a self-confident person. This therefore represents her as a person who does not mind about someone else’s opinions.

Overall, it can be argued that the star image is represented though 4 different aspects: mise-en-scene, sound, editing and camera movement and angles. To sum up, Rihanna represented as a person with a strong and powerful personality. In the music video called ‘Diamonds’ she is shown as an individual who is not afraid to be without make-up. She is represented as a brave and wealthy person. This therefore highlights the fact that she has power in her hands and she may take significant decisions.