[Research] Analysing media language: Carol Vernallis

Carol Vernallis studied editing and camerawork and observed that:
 

-          Continuity rules in music videos are often broken in order to draw attention to what is happening (in contrast to conventional broadcast)

• Obvious edits are used
• Jump cuts are used 
• Base tracks are used to give the music video structure
• Edited at the pace of music

An example of a music video that follows many of these rules is I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift: 

 

-          -The camera movements are shaky in the beginning which breaks the continuity

-          -There are two main base tracks – when she is in the field and when she is shown against the mirror

-          -The editing is very fast, the shot changes approximately every 3 seconds

-           - Camera often follows her movements

-          -Jump cuts are used when the two main characters are walking together which breaks the continuity

Base Tracks: