Carol Vernallis developed her theory of music videos in her book "The Kindest Cut - Functions and Meanings of a Music Video Editing" She goes on to analyse how different macro and micro elements can create and define representations of the artist and their performance.
Vernallis' theory is based on four different concepts which all contribute to the way the music video is constructed. These consist of ; Narrative, Editing, Camera movement and framing and Diegesis.
Narrative - Vernallis believed that a music video is intended to be a visual response to the lyrics of a song. However we know often this is not the case and in a lot of modern music videos the lyrics have no direct representation of the video, for example with the video below.
Editing - Vernallis believed that one of the most essential conventions of a typical music video is that it may break the the normal practice of continuity editing. We often see obvious edits in music videos as continuity is not necessary in a music video as it rarely tells a story.
Diegesis - She also believed that the diegesis in a music video is usually revealed slowly. This may be done through not revealing everything by characters not completing actions or disruptions to the narrative.
Camerawork - She believed that common shots in a music video are establishing shots in order to show the location of the artist. Close-ups are also common in order to promote the artist. The pace and style of the filming runs parallel with the pace of the music and lyrics.
Narrative - Vernallis believed that a music video is intended to be a visual response to the lyrics of a song. However we know often this is not the case and in a lot of modern music videos the lyrics have no direct representation of the video, for example with the video below.
Editing - Vernallis believed that one of the most essential conventions of a typical music video is that it may break the the normal practice of continuity editing. We often see obvious edits in music videos as continuity is not necessary in a music video as it rarely tells a story.
Diegesis - She also believed that the diegesis in a music video is usually revealed slowly. This may be done through not revealing everything by characters not completing actions or disruptions to the narrative.
Camerawork - She believed that common shots in a music video are establishing shots in order to show the location of the artist. Close-ups are also common in order to promote the artist. The pace and style of the filming runs parallel with the pace of the music and lyrics.
The music video I wanted to analyse is 'Omen' by Disclosure and Sam Smith. I found the style of this video interesting as the entire video is in slow motion, including Sam Smith, but his singing is still in normal speed. This is something me and my group would want to do in our music video as I think it looks great despite it maybe being difficult to film successfully. Despite Disclosure being the main artists here they do not appear in the music video. The camera focuses on Sam Smith singing among dancing people. This is done by several facial close ups and tracking medium shots of Sam.
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