Final Essay: Taylor Swift jumped into the director’s chair in 2020 when she directed her music video for “The Man” out of necessity. She has been directing her own work ever since, and, as with her music, she brings a distinct feminine voice and perspective to her films.@cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

In the BTS video of Taylor directing "The Man," TS discusses how she wanted to "make a heightened version of how the world reacts to someone who's male, hot, rich, young, cocky," and in doing so, make a point about how they earn "instant approval and benefit of a doubt" @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

In a sit-down discussion with Martin McDonagh, Taylor talks about how she came to direct her first music video, "The Man" by "happenstance." She had wanted a female director, but none were available at the time. So she did it herself. @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25 www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zf...

If we continue in the Midnights era, the Lavendar Haze music video explores feelings of emotional neglect that women can experience in the bedroom. We see TS awake and musing while her partner sleeps beside her (note - Taylor decided to cast a trans man for this role) @cfuchstv.bsky.social
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Taylor's song "Anti-Hero" explores the common feeling among women that we are not enough and will always be the problem. In one shot, TS includes a scale that reads "FAT" when she steps onto it, implying that women will be judged no matter what their weight actually is
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In Midnights, Taylor's "Bejeweled" features the lyrics "And I miss you, but I miss sparkling" and is about loving and respecting yourself before letting a man change you. TS talks about her need to shine like a diamond, implying that men can and have dampened her gleam @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

In the same film, Taylor portrays herself as a painting coming to life. While it was an artistic choice, it also hints at how men see women as paintings - works of art that exist for the male gaze but have no autonomy. Taylor gives herself that autonomy in the film @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

In the music video for TFOO, TS brought back her dancers from the Eras Tour. Highlighting these women reflected how she views womonhood and the strength and joy that comes from being in community with other women. She used her costume to identify herself as one of them @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

In the BTS of the music video, Taylor explains how she designed the film to showcase all the historical periods of showgirling, starting with posing for paintings, moving on to theatrical performances, and ending with being a pop star. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko70... @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

It's a big weekend for Swifties! "The Life of a Showgirl" dropped on Friday, and featured "The Fate of Ophelia." This song explores how both Taylor and Ophelia were driven mad by men, but Taylor was saved from Ophelia's watery death when Travis entered the scene @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

In the BTS of ATW, Taylor gives Sadie Sink careful instructions on how to perform her role. This extreme attention to detail demonstrates how Taylor is dedicated to accurately representing the female experience of being mistreated by someone who was supposed to love you @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

Films have historically featured male heroes or been male-centric (ex: Lord of the Rings). This Youtube analysis of "All Too Well" argues that we experience Taylor's short film as the woman, especially when we see the fallout of the breakup, and how it affects only Her. @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

This article explains how ATW is a story in which a girl loses her naivety and becomes a woman through her experience. Breakups are often characterized as sad occasions, but this film goes deeper, showing how traumatizing gaslighting is @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25
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"All Too Well" is Taylor's short film masterpiece, and also her directorial debut. This film addresses the unique theme of grooming. It highlights how yucky it feels to be so much younger than your partner, and the many disappointments that come after the initial thrill @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

Things to note about Taylor's character in "The Man":
Male Taylor is praised for his parenting in the park, accentuating the difference in how mothers and fathers are received. Dads are praised for moments of parenting, while moms are expected to parent 100% of the time @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

A classic example of one of Taylor's feminist music videos is "The Man," a short film that highlights how men occupy space in the world, and how women are faced with double standards. @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25

Hi FAVS 304 class! My topic will be on Taylor Swift and her style as a director in her music videos. Swift gives her work a unique, feminine voice that challenges misogyny and creates space for a feminist perspective. @cfuchstv.bsky.social #304F25