ER: Semiotic Analysis

Marina and the Diamonds - Primadonna (2012)

 

Semiotic Analysis - Conceptual

• 'Primadonna' by Marina and the Diamonds is a pop and synth pop track which uses a lot of conceptual meanings in it's video.
• It conforms to it's genre by the use of performance and the illustrative relationship between lyrics and visuals.

Linguistic/ Iconic Signs

• Costume and set is used to tell a narrative of a spoilt girl, everything is lavish and fancy from her luxurious bed to the giant chandeliers. A lot of pink is used to portray her as girly. The teddy bears within shot are a sign of immaturity.
• Her style is iconic in the sense that through the whole 'Electra Heart' album she uses the same image to promote herself and in videos. The 50s American housewife is something she explores as well as the American Dream.
• This is shown in a conceptual way by use of props and costume.
• The vintage film footage connotes that she is being filmed by others doing her daily activities, as if she is being followed by the paparazzi. This is also shown by the way she often looks past the camera as if she isn't alone. This makes her appear distant.
• The TV has a fuzzy screen meaning it can't get a signal, this could be in reference to how she doesn't really know who she is and the confusion in her mind, possibly an identity crisis.
• The tortoise connotes sense of surrealism, an unusual domestic pet to own.
• The black and white editing is used to show her inner thoughts, that maybe she isn't as happy as she seems living in luxury. She has everything but she still seems to be missing something.
• The fast cutting rate of the vintage film shots give a sinister effect as if there is something dark in her mind.
• She is reading a book "Secrets of an Accidental Duchess" by Jennifer Haymore, an advertisement for the book by product placement.

Social Myths

• This reinforces the social myth that "money can't buy happiness".
• She appears alone and sad even though she has everything.
• There is a sense of madness from having everything she wants.