Laura Mulvey- Representation theory

Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze Theory

Laura Mulvey's theory is based on how the audience view women. The theory is based on a straight mans p.o.v and how the use of cinematography and angles can portray women as sexual objects. The cinematography emphasises the curves on a womans body.

How women are shown on music videos is how men think women should look (the ideal).Typically a man emerges as a dominant with power.

The male gaze describes how the audience or viewer is put into the perspective of a straight man.

Women view themselves through the eyes of a man.

Songs that prove this theory:

Calvin Harris-Summer

This screen shot shows a woman laid on a bed in her underwear, the cinematography and angle of this shot shows off the womans curves and this video is shot from a straight mans p.o.v, this shot shows the woman as a sexual object.

Shakira+Rihanna- Can't remember to forget you

This shot shows Shakira laid on a bed, which is a common convention in music videos for objectifying women and showing them in a sexual way to please straight men. She is wearing heals and has makeup on, this displays the the audience how the 'perfect' woman should look.

John legend-All of Me 

Again, in this music video the woman is shown in bed, the camera angles show her in a sexual way as well as the mise en scene displaying her body slightly covered by a blanket.



Downfalls of Mulvey's theory
Even though women are seen as sexual objects  they may feel powerful and desirable by being seen as beautiful both both men and women.
The media has also influenced how women are viewed and it is hard to change perceptions.