Music Video Theory: Carol Vernallis

Carol Vernallis Music Video Theory 

Her theory is based around 4 key concepts: Narrative, Editing, Camera Movement/Framing and Diegesis.

Narrative

Suggests that the video is a visual response to the narrative, as in whatever is happening visually reflects the lyrics in the song. However, also says how the narrative may not always be completed and can be partial with the video appearing disjointed, disconnected and fragmented. Doesn't have to answer every question about the narrative. 

Editing 

Says that the video may disrupt or break the conventions of continuity editing. The editing may also be bought to the foreground, become visible and not hidden opposed to the invisible style of continuity editing, meaning the video will have a style of editing running throughout that is distinctive to that video. 


This classic noughties hit from Gwen Stefani, 'The Sweet Escape', has an extremely interesting music video with over two-hundred and four different cuts in total.

The majority of the editing in this music video includes quick, sharp cuts which create a fast paced and exciting feel for the music video. The combination of performance and narrative works really well here as it makes the video interesting. The narrative doesn't really have much relevance to the song itself but as Carol Vernallis states; the narrative can be disjointed, fragmented and doesn't have to answer every question.

In terms of camera movement and framing, when Gwen Stefani is singing, the camera framing alternates between close up shots and medium close up shots of her. These establish her as the star of the music video and so the most important element of this video. She is occasionally shown in a full length shot but the majority of shots are medium close ups.


Despite having other people in the music video, the camera work makes it impossible for the audience to focus on anyone else but her. She is always in the middle of her dancers and is in nearly every shot of the 204 that comprise this music video.

There are only a few clear examples of editing other than the cuts and they can be seen in the image below. Throughout the music video, there are moments when a magical effect transitions between two shots, often these two shots will be in two different places and so the transition is a way of connecting them seamlessly. The style of editing is evident throughout the music video and is clearly being brought to the foreground as it is obvious and not as subtle as film editing.

Finally, Carol Vernallis' theory of diegesis can be seen throughout this music video as several of the same shots are being repeated and there are only a handful of locations within the video. These include the jail cell/prison scenes, the hotel room, the car park, the car itself and the area with the blue background which is covered in lights. The narrative is revealed slowly throughout the music video as the opening scenes seem quite confusing but as the music video progresses the narrative begins to make more sense in relation to the song. 

Camera Movements/Framing 

States that establishing shots are one of the key features of a music video and are used frequently throughout, other key shots are medium and close up shots which establish the artist.

Diegesis

The setting of the music video. Vernallis explains how the diegesis will be revealed quite slowly. The actions in the video are not always completed and may be disrupted in some way. Repetition is key throughout the music video as some frames will appear more important than others due to the way they have been shot.