MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS SHEET

Textual Analysis
Now that you have chosen a genre and song, you will need to produce at least three
individual detailed analyses of similar products for you main task.
Analyse 1 (more you do, more marks) music videos of your choice in relation to
cinematography, sound, mise-en-scene, editing and conventions (remember Goodwins.
Genre and technical).
Task 1 Use the grid below to analyse your chosen music video. Remember you need to
analyse how shot types, camerawork, Mise en Scene, editing, intertextuality
and representation are used to make the video appeal to the target audience.
Dont describe what you see, analyse how its being presented to you.
Take screenshots from the video to illustrate your analysis and use a website
like www.lyrics.com to find the lyrics. Write the lyric that matches the
screenshot below it. If its a musical break then describe it, for example, Drum
solo and guitar feedback. In the section called Shot type and movement
describe what the frame is and if the camera is still or moving then analyse the
effect of this. In the box labelled analysis you need to look at everything you
see in the screenshot and talk about why its there and how it appeals to an
audience. For the box marked Edits you should note what sort of edit or
transition is used. Theres an example below.
MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS Rolo Tomassi Party Wounds
Remember Dont just describe. You need to analyse the effect it has too.
Always try and link it back to how it appeals to audience.

Music Video Textual Analysis__

Mid shot handheld camera movement to Analysis

match the artists feelings of instability.
The mid shot is used to show the mise en scene
element of costume. Katy is seen to be wearing
a safari costume which links visuals to the
lyrics as the song is called Roar. The camera
shot is handheld also to show her instability in
the narrative, as it is clear in the video from her
expressions that she is confused and lost. This
shot has a cut transition before and after and it
is edited to the beat so that the shot changes in
relation to the music, so as not to distract from
the song it is highlighting. The bright and
vibrant colours suggest it is a part of the pop
genre. The use of the fire signifies passion and
ferociousness, reflecting Katys Brand image
and personality.
Music/lyrics
I used to bite my tongue and hold my
breath

Edit/transitions
Cut transition before and after for smooth
transitioning on the beat.

Long shot zoom in to close up (Long

take) to show expression.

Analysis

The long shot is used to show Katy in relation

to her surroundings a thick jungle. This
setting reflects her seeing the light and
emerging from the thick darkness and reflects
the songs meaning of female empowerment.
This is the link between visuals and lyrics. The
composition of the shot uses rule of thirds to
place Katy at the forefront of the shot,
showcasing the star. Her costume is more
clearly displayed here and elements of
intertextuality are shown through this as it is
similar to American comic book character
Sheena: Queen Of The Jungle both through
narrative and costume. The zooming camera
movement helps the audience to focus on the
star as it changes the shot from a long shot to a
close up through a long take.
Music/lyrics
You held me down, but I got up.
Already brushing off the dust

Edit/transitions
Cut transition before and after

Shot type and camera movement

Close up to long shot to close up
zooming and panning movement (fast) to
match the build-up of the song.

Analysis

This moving shot is used to compare Katy to a

tiger. It is a long take in order to allow the
comparison to be clear but also to allow the
special effects. The flecks of light have been
superimposed onto the screen to form the
image of a tiger. This links lyrics to visuals as
she has previously sang Ive got the eye of the
tiger. Tigers are fierce and symbolise courage
and strength, this likeness helps to infer the
meaning of the song which is about female
empowerment. The light also is very bright and
superficial- making it genre appropriate. It is
also unrealistic and over the top- which is an
element that appeals to the pop audience.
Music/lyrics
Youre gonna hear me roar

Edit/transitions
Cut transition before and after

Shot type and camera movement

Point of view shot- long shot- low angle
handheld camera

Analysis

This point of view shot shows the tiger looking

at Katy. It is at a slightly low angle which
portrays the artist as dominant to comply,
again, with the meaning of the song about
women being powerful. It is shot in handheld
camera to show the tiger looking her over. The
shot is composed so that she is central to show
her importance. The area around this has been
blurred through editing in order to show that it
is the view from the animals eyes and also to
reinforce the importance of the focus upon the
artist. Mise en scene shows her to be wearing a
different costume that she has made out of
leaves. It is still a glamorous outfit though to
show the star as looking beautiful which is
often the case in pop videos. The lighting is
again very bright and vibrant to conform to the
genre conventions.
Music/lyrics
Instrumental building and increasing

Edit/transitions
Cut to next shot to match the beat

volume as she battles the tiger to reflect

suspense
Shot type and camera movement
Long shot- slow panning to show the
setting

Analysis

The long shot is used to show the artist in

relation to her background. The colours here
are extremely vibrant. The slow panning
movement is used to show more of the jungle
setting. The straight angle is used in the long
shot to include both the elephant and the artist
in the same shot. It indirectly shows her power
as she is playing with the elephant. This is
because the animal is much bigger and more
dominating then her, yet she has the control
and respect of it, showing her as powerful. The
scene has lots of special effects such as the
waterfall superimposed in the background to
build up the density of the shot and make the
jungle appear as a paradise.
Music/lyrics
Edit/transitions
Louder than a lion, cos youre gonna hear Cut transition before and after
me roar

CONCLUSION
From this I have learnt that pop videos feature a lot of special effects to enhance the video as well as
vibrant colours- some of which are edited and enhanced to appear brighter. This has taught me that
in my video I need to ensure that the video quality is vibrant and bright rather than dingy and dull
like in indie music videos. As well as this, my textual analysis has taught me that I need to include
a lot of close ups of the artist as this is a common shot in pop videos in order to showcase the artist.
These close ups use rule of thirds to make sure the audience is focused on the star. For an upbeat
song such as roar- the most common transition is the cut transition as it is simple and does not
distract too much from the music, as it is edited so that shots change on the beat.