Synopsis
Randi Tytingvag's "Paper Tiger" places its critique of status-seeking and social superficiality inside a stylized film-noir world. The video uses a deliberately theatrical setting and a strong red visual motif to give the song's ideas a visual identity. Rather than presenting a conventional narrative, it creates an atmosphere of appearance, performance, and empty power, reflecting the song's image of something that looks impressive from the outside but has little real strength or substance underneath.
Factoids & Trivia
- The video was filmed in meeting rooms at the Stavanger Aftenblad newspaper offices, chosen because the production needed an office-like location.
- Tytingvag assembled an informal cast from family and friends, including a brother-in-law, cousins, friends, and acquaintances. She also helped with the actors' makeup during the shoot.
- The production was largely handled by Tytingvag and her collaborators themselves, with Woldcam involved in the filming.
- The visual concept was described as film noir-inspired, with red - Tytingvag's established signature color - used as an important part of the video's look.
- "Paper Tiger" was released as a single from the 2012 album "Grounding." The song's title came from a phrase Tytingvag learned from a Chinese girl she met while vacationing in Australia.
- Tytingvag connected the phrase to status culture and things that appear powerful or attractive while lacking genuine substance. She described the song as carrying a small cultural and political jab.
- The video was made for promotion in Norway and abroad and was released during the summer of 2012.