The Mean video premiere! Watch it now.

Here is the video premiere of  Taylor Swift’s new video Mean! Watch it now, then we’ll talk 😉

First and foremost, good work Taylor. My hat’s off to Jordan, the taylorswift.com webmaster, for also releasing the video so it could be watched internationally.

You probably have already seen the cover for Mean with the villain right out of vaudeville. The style of the video is also very heavily influenced by vaudeville, actually.

In the scenes with Taylor in them, the colors are very basic, like it’s ready to be filmed in black and white. The backdrops are intentionally fake, giving you the feeling you’re watching all this is in a small theater. The other stories have more color, and are lighted up like you’re watching an on stage live performance. There are several storylines in the video, all of them dealing with bullying, all of them triumphant. In the end, even Taylor makes it. The camera even pans out to watch the stage and a young fan applauding.

I loved the fact that Taylor went for a period piece. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but she sticks with it and doesn’t sell out. I would’ve really, really liked it if she had worn cowboy boots at some point, specially when everyone in The Agency takes on the scruffy look early on. The characters are charming and relatable. She never abandons the live stage feeling. There’s no CGI anywhere and all the sets are obviously stage sets. I love the wardrobe. I also love the anti-bullying message throughout the video.

The director, Declan Whiteboom, has told CMT.com that the Enchantress was a pleasure to work with.

“We got on really well. It’s rare when you connect with an artist that quickly, but we share a quirky, offbeat sense of humor.”

The Sparkly Dressed was even present for the days she wasn’t involved at all. She literally co-directed the video.

“She was keenly involved in writing the treatment, casting and wardrobe. And she stayed for both the 15-hour shooting days, even when she wasn’t in the scenes,” said the director. You can read more about his comments on CMT.com.

The Mean video was shot on May at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. With nine different sets, a full cast and wardrobe, it was indeed a big enough production… in a big ol’city.

Remember to vote for Taylor for the 2011 CMT Music Awards. They take place in Nashville, Tennessee on June 8. Taylor is nominated for Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year and Best Web Video of the Year. Go VOTE!

Coming up in the Calendar!

• May 7: Mean video premiere on CMT Canada at 5:30pm ET after Chevrolet Countdown.
• May 11: Taylor Swift appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Check the website for a fan contest to attend and meet Taylor Swift!
• May 13: Paul Sidoti‘s Birthday.
• May 21: Speak Now… Help Now! will be held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. All proceeds go to the tornado aid relief effort.
• May 22: The Billboard Music Awards 2011 air live on ABC at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT.
• May 27: Elizabeth Huett‘s Birthday.
• May 27: Speak Now tour in Omaha, Nebraska at Qwest Center. Sold Out.

(Sources: CMT.com, TaylorSwift.com)