CAMERA SHOTS
Montage of close-ups + long shots of the prison setting of the first part of the video including shots of the wire fencing around the prison and guards on top of the roof etc. These convey the setting.
Close-ups used throughout, especially used to highlight the fashion used in the video. They are also used to create humour, for instance a close-up of the sandwich Beyonce throws out of the window shows it to say “Honey Bun” which is a nickname Lady Gaga uses for Beyonce.
Close-ups also make the audience feel close to the characters we are watching and therefore we understand the messages that Lady Gaga has included within the video. The way in which Beyonce seems very innocent and when she swears she covers her hand with a cheeky look on her face. This adds for comic effect.
Medium shots are used to show the dancing within the video and are also taken from a high angle (acting as surveillance cameras) and medium long shot to give more action and dynamics to the pace of the dancing.
MISE EN SCENE
Costume is very important to Lady Gaga as she expresses herself as a musician/artist through her clothing. In the video there are many costume changes which both Lady Gaga + Beyonce share as the lead singers.
All the costumes fit with the context of the plot of the video which is set out as the story of two lesbian criminals who end up poisoning a whole American service station restaurant of people. The use of the telephone as a hairstyle and headpiece, and as a way of linking the song with the plot is used cleverly throughout - Beyonce contacts Lady Gaga via the phone but Gaga is “too busy” to talk.
EDITING
Opening titles in the style of a film – the font is used to mimic a telephone
Caption at bottom of screen, mimics that of a police surveillance video in a prison
Transitions such as a fade are also used to add postmodernism to this music video – it creates the feeling that this is fantasy and weird compared to reality. It makes it appaear as though the phonecalls are driving Beyonce mad as suggested in the lyrics "sometimes I feel like I live in Grand Central Station" which is a reference to the largest and busiest railway station in the world showing a feeling of rushing and claustraphobia.
Another effect they use in Telephone is the technique of cutting up a small part of the film and repeating it to create the effect that there is a break/disruption/jump in the continuity – similar to a break in the connection of a telephone call as Lady Gaga sings “wh-wh-what did you say? Huh? You’re breaking up on me”. Similarly towards the end they use this same effect when Beyonce is in her room in the military style jacket. She does certain dance moves/facial expressions and the shot is cut and pasted back multiple times making her appear to shake and again suggests that there is a loss in the connection (and possibly to make appear crazy).
They use a transition called a circle wipe, which is in the form of a rotary dial on a phone. They also use another special wipe which is in the shape of a knife and fork as Lady Gaga is presently in a kitchen.
Again another wipe is used towards the end where stars meaning to immitate that of the American flag, spin into the screen in unison.
As the “Pussy Wagon” drives off, a very cartoony Wacky Races style font appears on the screen in pink letters saying WROOM. This could be referencing to the 1960's Hanna Barbera cartoon Wacky Races involving a large number of quirky characters.
Another effect used is where they split the screen showing two shots at once, to create the effect that is in the car driving away with Beyonce as well as being stood outside it dancing at the same time.
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