Music video analysis

Stacy analysed Katy Perry's Hot 'n' Cold video, Jamie T's if you got the money video and Kesha's Tik Tok video.


One of the videos that I looked at was Lily Allen's Smile. I watched the first minute of the video online and print screened every time there was a change in scene or shot, this was to show how narrative and performance is interweaved. Narrative being a storyline, like a mini film within the music video and performance is the artist singing. First I put the screen shots in order they appeared in the video.

Lily Allen Smile Original Order



Then I put them into narrative and performance story lines to show how the themes flow throughout but still form an easily followable timeline.

Lily Allen Smile Different Shots



After this analysis, I realised that the majority of the first minute of this particular music video was taken up by performance rather than a narrative story line, and even though the narrative was broken up alot by performance it was still clear what was happening. Which is shown when put all together continuously.
It was also obvious that although the video is fast paced and switches between different camera shots rapidly, (which suits the pace of the song) only a few shots were taken. Most likely filmed continuiously, then broken up and fitted together within the editing process.
The narrative doesn't relate directly to the lyrics, however does relate to loosly to relationships, as do the lyrics.
Many of the shots of Lily Allen in performance are close up, this shows off the artist's face and makes her more recognizable.