CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, March 06, 2024

Baker Realizes The Cake She Made Was Actually For One Of Taylor Swift’s Music Videos. – ‘I couldn’t believe it.’

TwistedSifter: All artists have their own fanbases, but few have fans as “fervent” and “passionate” as Taylor Swift. From trying to use numerology to decode hidden meanings in her instagram captions to breaking into her old house in Paris, the Swifties are on a whole other level. I know Swifties who would pass out knowing that Taylor had once eaten at the same restaurant as them!

6 comments:

Theo K said...

I love reading the Taylor Swift articles on this blog because her fan base is so large and definitely one of a kind. This article tells the story of a backer who had her work featured in a taylor swift music video and did not know until months later. Although I think having one's work featured so prominently would be amazing this article did raise a couple of questions for me. The first being is pastry art protected by copyright although I do not know if it would apply in this situation if a baker did not want their work featured in a music video but did not know that their work was in a video until after it was filmed is there anything that can be done to protect that artist. I read a similar article about a girl who had paintings in an olivia rodrigo music video and did not know until the video was published making me wonder if this is a common occurrence.

Carly Tamborello said...

Okay, wow, I really thought I could not possibly have an opinion about this article but it turns out I do. Now, there is not much to dig into, because this is one of those articles where some random blogger is just repeating what’s said in the videos they linked and the screenshots they included almost word for word. But what gets me about this story is the really quick turnaround. Why did they have to give the baker such short notice (only 1-2 days)? Was there not a plan for the music video? Were they trying to maintain secrecy (even though the baker didn’t even know who it was for)? Was there a communication breakdown? I guess it’s good that the lady gave the baker a heads up that the turnaround would be short, but it just seems disrespectful of the baker’s time and other responsibilities. I hope that this baker was fairly compensated for the rush order.

Leumas said...

While I am most certainly not a Swifty, I think that this article raises an interesting idea of how much is involved to put on a production, especially in the props department. While I like thinking about the fancy lights and other technology that makes production possible, there is also the incredible task of recreating the physical world on a stage or set. Almost every aspect and part of the world is depicted in film, and for those scenes to be filmed there need to be objects that represent that time and place. Prop artists are really good at recreating all forms of bizarre and common objects, but there are some times when it makes more sense to buy the object as a normal person would buy it. There is no reason to make a prop artisan try to make a fake cake, when you can pay an expert to make it how it actually would be made.

Esther said...

I genuinely think I would pass out if I got a message that was so calm about something that I made for Taylor Swift. That text was so beyond causal like WHATTT. As you can tell I am a huge swiftie and I think that this author describes the actual craziness that the fan base has for her and I understand why they did not just share that the cake was for her but this is actually such a crazy encounter to me. My one fear would be that because the baker was so stressed about the order that they would forget to take pictures of the cake, obviously she did take photos but in stressed situations I think sometimes people forget to make content and that would scare me so much. I also find it funny that when the baker posted about her situation so many people doubted her but then the swifites came together and gave people the exact time in the music video so you can see her cake to prove others wrong.

Jojo G said...

I think to know that your art was used for a music video for Taylor Swift of all people is definitely something to brag about. Also, the fact that it happened to be a baker that films themself making different things and so happened to film making the cake is really quite the coincidence. I also love how they said it was for a “big celebrity” and they didn’t believe them because nowadays everyone calls themselves a “big celebrity” no matter how small they actually are. And then to find out that she is one of if not the most well known celebrity across the world. Also the fact that they sent an update saying it was taylor Swift is really cute, they could have just left it at that and wait for them to see on their own but they had the forethought to let them know, It’s sweet.

willavu said...

Although it's pretty awesome to get the publicity of a Taylor Swift music video, and this person is probably psyched about their cake being in the music video, what value does it hold? Is fame the only way to be successful nowadays is there more than that, substance, taste, presentation? does one achieve success when put in the spotlight? also, what kind of authority do we give to these pop stars and celebrities? can they dictate Our Lives? did this Bakery even have the choice if their cake wanted to be in the music video is it just a given that anybody should be so extremely grateful for Taylor Swift after this opportunity? and I know I'm playing Devil's Advocate in some ways like who wouldn't be happy if Taylor Swift wanted to eat your cake on a camera? but I'm just raising the question of to what extent is this a success and an achievement. is public recognition or self-worth more valuable in today's society?