Music Video Analysis

I have decided to analyse Vanessa Carlton's own version of 'A Thousand Miles' as well as two other music videos. The other music videos I have selected are based on the same theme of our music video - love, loss and reflection. As well as the music video's being those of a female artist similar to Vanessa Carlton and have produced a video which is to a sound track which is similar to A Thousand Miles. I have decided to do this at this stage of the production as this research and alalysis could influence the storyboards created for the pitch and result in playing a major part in the pitch passing. 


I will use my notes and findings throughout the production of the music video. This will ensure that our group stick to the common codes and conventions. After our music video has been created I will compare our final product to these three music videos, showing the similarities and influences these videos have had on the production. 


Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles

When watching Vanessa Carlton's interpretation of A thousand miles. I noticed that there is a lot of movement throughout the whole of the video to different locations. When I say movement I mean the notion of movement and traveling, which links to the lyrics of the song. I also noticed that although this theme matched the lyrics not all of the shots matched or portrayed the lyrics literally. Throughout the video there are a wide range of shots used from low and high angled shots to mid and close up shots. The shots featured within the music video are also slightly longer than I had expected. As well as the shots not always centering on Vanessa, for example in some of the shots she is positioned off center so the background can be shown more clearly. 

Throughout the video there is obvious use of the green screen. The green itself has been removed and replaced by moving images and still images. Furthermore it was drawn to my attention that the styling of Vanessa throughout the video is casual, with naturalistic make up and dress. 

Lastly I noticed that both the beginning and the end of the video link. In this video the link is shown through Vanessa starting off from her garage and returning there as the song ends. This ties up the whole of the video and gives the impression that Vanessa has been of a journey, visiting new and maybe old places.

Cheryl Cole - The Flood

When watching Cheryl Cole's, the flood music video. The first thing that I noticed was the establishing shot of the window, which was a strong beginning. Throughout the music video there are a range of shots used with short cuts. These shots include tracking shots, zooms, close up and mid shots. There is also a shot when the camera sweeps in a circle around Cheryl Cole's head which is extremely effective. 

You can clearly see that although there is one video, you could say there are separate stories running continuously. For example these is one set of shots with Cheryl outside by the water, another with Cheryl by the window in the establishing shot, another of her in bed and lastly shots in front of a green screen. Within these shots Cheryl is dressed appropriately for the location and situation. For example in the green screen shots she is wearing a long sweeping dress, in the outside shots a coat and scarf and the inside shots a jumper. Cheryl hair and make up are also different for each location with the green screen shits having her hair down with noticeable and powerful make up on, with the outside shots Cheryl has her hair ties up and naturalistic make up.

Within the music video there is a shot which is replayed a few times of hands slipping away which reinforces that something is missing. Repeating the shot is also extremely effective. Over the whole of the music video a variety of effects have been placed on to the footage. These include the use of the opacity tool, the alteration of speed and duration and the darkening of certain shots. 

Lastly the last few shots featured within the music video are close up of Cheryl face of her smiling and walking past the camera. This does not link to the first shot but is still an effective way of ending the music video.

Avril lavigne - Innocence

When watching Avril Lavigne's, Innocence music video. I noticed that there was a mixture of green screen, location and flash back footage. The flash backs show a couple together, doing activities and things you expect a couple to be doing. For example, walking along with their arms around each other. These flash backs have had a range of effects added to them. For example the blurring of the footage, the alteration of the speed and duration. As well as the effect making the flashbacks are a different color to the rest of the footage. The flashbacks are also repeated and speed up when the tempo of the song build which is extremely powerful and suits the music. 

The green or white screen has also been used to film parts of the video. The background has been either changed to white if the green screen was used, or kept white if the white screen was used. Having the plain white background is effective and highlights the singer. The footage filmed in this way has also been zoomed in with cross fades and dips to white added. Although these effects where  not only featured in  the sections with the screen but also throughout the music video.

Throughout the music video there are continuous stories filmed in the same location put together and run continuously. This creates the need for a lot of quick cuts to keep the flow of the video. these cuts also separates the past to the present. Lastly the last shot featured within the music video is a flash back followed by a dip to white. Having this for an ending in a music video made to a song with the main themes being reflection and love is both strong and powerful.