Carol Vernallis theory.

Carol Vernallis theory focuses on 4 main concepts that gives an account to the way a music video is constructed. This consists of: camera movement and framing, diegesis, editing and narrative.

She states for camera movement and framing that extreme shots are the most common to use. The style of framing and movement can constantly run through and the video is distinctive to that video. The motion of the camera might be in time with the music and also with the lyrics. Establishing shots such as a master shot, is used repeatedly like close-ups.

She says diegesis may be revealed quite slowly. Actions are not necessarily finished – they may be disrupted or interrupted in someway. The motion of Character or object might be in time with the music. There may be gaps in the audience’s understanding of the diegesis – in time and space,music, performance and narrative. Some frames may be more vital than others. There may be many repetitions eg musical phrases, the beat, other musical elements, themes, lyrics, performance,images, colours, camera positions.

She claims that the narrative of a video is a visual response to the music. There is not really a balance between narrative and performance. The narrative is not always complete – it may be a partial, fragmented narrative. The structure of the video may appear disjointed. Something motivates the video forward, but often it is not the narrative. It could be the music, the performance, a combination or some other element. There may not always be a noticeable closure at the end and the video may pose questions that it doesn’t actually answer. There may be a narrative or theme running through the video, but in a collective style.

She mentions the editing may match the musical phrases or the beat. The video may break or disorganise many of the ‘rules’ of continuity editing – this is a clear convention of music video editing. Editing may become ‘foregrounded – the edits may be really obvious, to draw attention to themselves as opposed to invisible, continuity editing For example, you may see: Jump cuts, breaks of the 30 degree rule, breaks of the 180 degree rule, cutting against the movement, cutting within the lyrics, fancy edits or cuts, extreme jumps in time and space, extreme changes in pace, juxtaposed frames, graphic matches. A style of editing that runs through the video and is clear to that video. You may not see: smooth transitions, matches on action, an even pace throughout.