Research for Music Video: Carol Vernallis

Summary of Carol Vernallis' theory:

• She studied the actual editing and camerawork in music videos very closely
• She observed there's more edits in music videos than films
• The usual rules of 'continuity' isn't seen in music videos 
• Most used cut: jump cuts
• A base track (the main shot) is used to give structure to the video
• The camera does sometimes move in time with the music

Use of elements (SPECIAL EFFECTS) - ARIANA GRANDE FT. ZEDD - BREAK FREE


Ariana Grande - Break Free (feat. Zedd) on MUZU.TV.

In this music video, special effects were used in the beginning when she is seen to be in a rocket ship with a fake background of outer space.

Use of elements (JUMP CUTS) - JESSIE J - DOMINO



Jessie J - Domino (Official Video) on MUZU.TV.

In the music video, we see tonnes of jump cuts as Jessie J is in pretty much the same mise en scene, but the jump cuts help to focus on different things. For example, her face as a close-up, then her whole body dancing, then a medium close-up so we focus on her singing too.

Use of elements (SLOW MOTION) - RIHANNA - DIAMONDS


Rihanna - Diamonds on MUZU.TV.

Slow motion is used in the beginning to introduce Rihanna in the water and has emphasis on the diamonds (giving it more screen time) to ensure the focus is on the topic - diamonds.

Use of elements (BASE TRACK) - NE-YO - MISS INDEPENDENT


Ne-Yo - Miss Independent on MUZU.TV.

The base track in this video is in the office where Ne-Yo works. We are constantly seeing his crush (who is also his boss) in the office in meetings and we see him with his other colleagues too.