1. Analysis of 6
Music Videos
I have analysed 5 music videos all of which link into
the type of video me and my partner wish to create
either in the form of the genre or the story that is
being told. I have researched 2 older music videos and
3 contemporary ones to get a variety of inspiration.
Music Videos
1.Beyonce – Best Thing I Never Had
2.Alicia Keys – No One
3.Paloma Faith – Picking Up The Pieces
4.Dido – White Flag
5.Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On

2. Beyoncé—Best Thing I Never Had
Genre = R&B, Pop
Released = 1st June 2011
Format = CD Single, Digital Download
Label = Columbia
Producers = Babyface, S1 & Caleb, Antonio Dixon,
Beyoncé Knowles and Shea Taylor
Introduction =
• This is a Beyoncé music video called ‘Best thing I never had’ which was directed by Diane Martel who has worked as a choreographer and
a music video director with mainly pop stars like Beyoncé, Pixie Lott, Pussycat Dolls and Snoop Dog.
• Beyoncé's music videos mainly appeal to the female audience from early teens to late 20’s as she is seen as an idol that women look up
to because of her image and her way of lifestyle but she also has appeal to the male population more so for her image as a sex symbol. Her
videos are rather down to earth as well so therefor I would say she appeals to near enough every class and status of women.
Camera Shots & Angles =
•Close up - throughout the video there are numerous close up shots expressing the actors/artists feelings and expressions showing the
transmission of the story from sad times in the past too happy times in the present. The close up of the wedding ring show the significance.
•Establishing shots - There are a couple of these in the video to show the audience where the location of the video is such as the lake , the
wedding isle, the group dancing in the reception room—all of which tell a story as to where and what is happening.
• Low Angle - A low angle is used as the female stands on top of a hill and the camera looks up too her showing a significance and sort of
authority she now has which could be over her life or her feelings
Editing =
• At the end of the clip the scene fades to black to show the end of a time, as the clip tells a story of one bad relationship finishing and a
new one starting it signifies this and shows how the character has moved on and put a closure to the past.

3. • In a part of the clip it goes back in time to a layout of a homemade video at the school prom which shows how her life used to
be as it cuts too and from the past and present to show the change/transition in her life.
Mise en scene(props, costume etc) -
• The whole setting is made out to be elaborate with the big expensive dress, the big picturess venue for the wedding etc.
• The magical scenery for the wedding shows that she's got everything she ever wanted and is now treated like a princess unlike
in the past.
Sound -
• When Beyoncé sings about the past the song has a slow beat and pace and her tone of voice is soft as she says things like 'i
thought you did everything right, no lies' and as she says 'i saw the real you' and i'm 'so through with that' the pace speeds up
and her voice becomes a lot more powerful and stronger.
• This switches continuously throughout the video as she explains the past and future and expressing how she feels through the
tone of her voice and the pace of the music.
• The colour white is used throughout the music video to emphasize the fact that it’s a wedding and that the bride and the
meaning of the wedding Is pure as the colour white can also mean mourning in China the surroundings and costumes makes it
clear to the audience that it signifies purity.
• The music video tells a story of one woman's love life/experiences and how she got away from a bad relationship and how she
is better of for it now although it seemed okay at first and how she's moved on and doesn’t regret anything, ‘Best Thing I
Never Had’ says to me that it’s the best decision she's made to move on not hold regrets, the only one who should is her past
boyfriend.
• The whole of the clip seems to be in quite dark places which could signify that her feelings have been kept away for so long
but this time ‘no one’ is going to stop her from these as the words ‘no one’ are continuously repeated throughout the clip.
Representations =
• In this video is represents a grand, glamorous, traditional wedding that every girl dreams about which has a celebrity element
too it.
• The video also has sexualized elements to the video as she is seen in her wedding underwear showing legs and cleavage
which makes it more appealing to the male population as well as female.

4. Alicia Keys – No One
Genre = R&B, Soul
Released = 11th September 2011
Format = CD Single, Digital Download, 12” Single
Label = J
Producers = Alicia Keys, Dirty Harry, Kerry
‘Krucial’ Brothers
Introduction =
• This is a Alicia Keys music video called ‘No one’ and it was directed by Justin Francis who has worked with pop and R&B artists such as the
Black eyed peas, B.o.B and Gwen Stefani.
• Alicia’s music videos mainly appeal to the female population of late teens onwards and appeals to all classes as she related to these
within her music videos but she also has a small male audience as she is seen as a sex symbol and her videos also refer to her celebrity
lifestyle making it more appealing to the upper class as well as the working class by adding urban locations
Camera Shots & Angles =
•Close Up – Throughout the video close up shots are used to show things of significance such as the arm with the bling watch on showing
the wealth, the close ups of the females expressions showing her emotions from slightly sad to happy and grateful and all the time showing
re-assurance.
•Establishing shot – There are a few of these used to set the location as it continuously changes which I signify with her emotions changing
but as it always goes back to the one setting on her in the room this shows where her feelings lie and ‘no one’ can get in the way of these.
•Low Angle – This is used as the camera pan up from a low angle to a eye level view of the female as well as the high angles panning down
on her but the fact that the video ends with the girl being panned form low to eye level shows that she is now a person who people look up
to and respect rather than look down upon and treat badly and this could be linked to a relationship/lover.
Editing =
•There is a few instances where there is a split screen as the scenes changing which as I explained in the establishing shots shows the
divide in her emotions as the scene changes.

5. • In the club scenes the other dancers are blurred out to black figures as a spotlight shines on her and this shows that she
and her feelings are the main focus of the video
Sound =
• This song has a medium paced beat as Alicia sings in a slow high pitched voice making it sound like she's singing it from the
heart as it makes me as the audience feel for her.
• Her voice and beat picks up pace around the chorus 'no one, no one, no one, can get in the way of what I'm feeling' as her
voice also becomes stronger and emphasizes the notes more to show reassurance in her voice and also confidence to
match the lyrics.
• Although the pace changes the beat is the same throughout showing continuity.
Mise en scene(props, costume etc) =
• Throughout the video there are signs of wealth as there due to the clothes she wears and the setting on the recording
studio, the posh living room and the club but also the close up of the gold expensive watch and jewellery.
• I think that the use of the clock clogs winding emphasises that time is valuable and this helps to tell the story of love and
emotions.
• From all of these things i think the video tells a story of a man who's girlfriend/partner has died or left and he now has a
new partner but he is still in the past as he wants to visit old places and she looks like old partner and she wants to re
assure him she's there for him no matter what, she's 'picking up the pieces'. I found this hard to work out so therefor i want
to make sure our music video has a clear story that the audience can work out and understand
Representations =
• This video has a mixture of a normal down to earth lifestyle and also a little of the celeb lifestyle as she's seen in a club and
a grand home but remains in casual clothing.
• There are also a few performance shots of her playing the piano on a recording studio showing.
• The locations represent normality as she is seen in and urban background as they are seen in a back alley but also a club
which shows the two different elements of lifestyle.

6. Paloma Faith – Picking Up The Pieces
Genre = Pop, Soul, Soft Rock
Released = 18th May 2012
Format = Digital Download
Label = RCA Records
Producers = Paloma Faith, Wayne Hector, Tim
powell
Introduction =
• This is a Paloma Faith music video called ‘Picking up the pieces’ which was D=directed by Emil Nava who has worked with artists such as
Jessie J, Tinchy Stryder and Ed Sheeran so her work is mainly based around pop stars.
• Palomas music videos mainly appeal to the female population of late teen onwards as she is a pop singer but her songs aren’t that up
beat there more subtle and softer toned making it more appealing to adults of a middle – higher class as her videos don’t show much
relation to the poor class or the male population because she is not seen as a sex symbol in her videos and neither is her video related to
people from a poor/working class background.
Camera Shots & Angles =
•Panning - The camera pans a grand car driving up a path into a stately hotel showing wealth and the surrounding and the camera also
pans the girl sat in the car as though she's trapped as the window frame acts as a barrier as though her feelings are trapped.
•Establishing - This is used a few times in the video to show where the video is set as it shows the landscape, the hotel inside and out and
its also in a very old dark, almost unused looking grand hotel as though he is visiting the past and that its untouched.
•Close Up - There are a lot of close ups in this clip mainly showing the three characters emotions as too how they feel throughout the music
video.
•Tracking - This is used as the camera follows the male character from behind as he walks through the hotel which almost shows his
viewpoint within the hotel giving me a more detailed view.
Editing =
•Cut - This is used to cut from quite frequently the three character but mainly the two female characters which is used to show the
similarities as they are played by the same actress.

7. • Fade to Black - This is used at the end of the film as the car drives away and the screen fades to black showing the end of a
time and a relationship as another one takes form.
Sound =
• Throughout the music video the beat, pace and tone of Palomas voice remain slow and soft toned to show the true extent
of emotion in Palomas voice and the true meaning of the video.
• 'Picking up the pieces she left behind' explains in my view the feelings she left behind as its hard to let go and she has to
deal with that.
Mise en scene(props, costume etc) =
• At the end of the film the female character from the past melts and throughout seems wax/plastic like and this shows a
fakeness maybe to her personality but as she melts this could signify the end of a life and a relationship.
• The costume and props are rather old fashioned but also modern at the same time as the costumes seem to be more
modern but the props seem to be more old and rusted showing the difference perhaps between past and present in life
and in relationships.
• From all of these things i think the video tells a story of a man who's girlfriend/partner has died or left and he now has a
new partner but he is still in the past as he wants to visit old places and she looks like old partner and she wants to re
assure him shes there for him no matter what, shes 'picking up the pieces'. I found this hard to work out so therefor i want
to make sure our music video has a clear story that the audience can work out and understand
Representations =
• This video shows a very glamorous lifestyle with the clothing, a stately car driven by a driver as the two sit in the back but
they arrive at a deserted/destroyed environment. A hotel that they have visited in the past expressing that the past cant be
forgotten/past lovers.

8. Dido – White Flag
Genre = Pop, Trip Hop
Released = 1st September 2003
Format = CD Single
Label = Arista
Producers = Rollo Armstrong, Dido
Armstrong
Introduction =
• This is a Dido music video called ‘White flag’ and is was directed by Joseph Kahn who has worked in the music video industry as well as
commercials and film and has worked with mainly pop stars such as Britney Spears, Eminem, 50 Cent and Christina Aguilera.
• Dido’s music video/s appeal to I would say late teens onwards as she relates to things that at this age you may experience such as
relationships. I would also say she relates to all classes because of the fact she uses urban locations so that the audience can relate to her
vidoes but also the celebrity lifestyle too to connect with the upper class viewers.
Camera Shots & Angles =
Panning - This is used quite frequently as the camera pans across and inwards to both of the character showing what they are doing and as
it pans into one the other is usually in the background showing that although the focus is on one the other will still be there which could
resemble feelings.
Establishing shot- This is used too show where each part of the video is set such as her flat, the street, a bar and a red carpet event and
bother character can be doing separate things but will be in the same place.
Close up - As what I stated above happen a close up usually follows of one of their faces or Dido just singing showing her feelings expressed
through her words but also her facial expressions mainly through their eyes/stare.
Zoom out - This is used in a couple of cases as the camera focus on one character while the other is in the background then it zooms to see
the character in the background move away or the other way round showing how a relationship may end and you can walk away but
feelings may remain and a close up is used here too to show this.

9. Editing =
•Split Screen - This is used in a couple of cases, one on the red carpet scene where it appears to be split in to as they are both at
one side each doing there own thing yet while all the focus is on them their seems to be on each other.
•Fade to Black - This is used as the scene changes to show and end to a lifestyle but this is visited again which could show that
you may thing the past is in the past but feelings cant just be shut out.
en scene(props, costume etc) =
•The props and costume just revolve around life from being at home, doing the shopping to going out to a bar. Nothing is out of
the ordinary showing a sense of reality which gives the audience a sense that they can relate with the video and the issues
expressed
Sound =
This song remains the same throughout as her voices slightly varies in volume and strength this is only slight and the beat
remains the same as her voice has a soft tone with a sense of no regret about how she feels and she will not change this even if
her relationship has ended badly or she has made mistakes 'i wont put my hands up and surrender'.
Representations –
•This video represents a down to earth lifestyle as she is seen at home in casual clothing but also a glamorous celebrity lifestyle
as she is seen on a red carpet wearing a full gown which shows the two opposites of lifestyles which could show how this lifestyle
can affect a relationship.

10. Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On
Genre = Pop
Released = 8th December 1997
Format = CD Single, 12” Single, mini CD Single,
Cassette Single
Label = Columbia, Epic
Producers =James Horner, Simon Franglen,
Walter Afanasieff
Introduction =
• This is a Celine Dion music video called ‘My heart will go n’ which was a crucial and iconic song from the film Titanic as this is what is
known for and also how Celine is known. This video was directed by Billie Woodruff who has had a film career as well as music videos and
has worked with stars such as Back street boys, Salt N Pepa, Britney spears and Shayne Ward.
• I would say her music and this video have an audience of mid 20’s right up until the 80 year olds as her music isn’t really pop based and
her videos are based on the voice and not really the entertainment and this is also why she appeals to the more middle/upper class people.
Camera Shots & Angles =
•Establishing Shot - Here the scene is set as Celine is performing to an audience and there is a background of the moon, a man playing a
violin under a umbrella and a woman flies in in a wedding dress which sets the scene.
•Tracking - this is used as Celine enters onto the stage showing her importance and elegance in the way she walks.
•Close up - This is used at the camera focus's on Celine's face and her expressions, grace and emotions as she sings the songs.
Editing =
•A screen in the background is used to show an image of the moon in a dark sky.
•The whole video is dark except a spotlight that is used to focus the whole attention on Celine singing the song which adds to the drama of
the music video adding to the importance of the lyrics.

11. Sound =
•Along with the establishing shot at the beginning the music helps add to the drama of the music video as a viewer the pace,
beat and tone of voice send goose pimples down my body as I connected with the song and this is something i would like to put
into our video so that the audience get this feeling.
•'My heart will go on' explains that although her loved one is gone her feelings remain and this is expressed in the lyrics and the
way the song is sang.
Mise en scene(props, costume etc) =
•The clothes used in the video are simple and elegant showing wealth and grace in the meaning of the song and the people in it.
•This music video is based around the film titanic as its an important and significant song in the film showing a relationship
between two people and how there love is strong and will be there forever no matter what happens (one dies but they die
together happy).
•The colour white is used a lot to show purity both in the people and to me the meaning of their feelings and relationship.
Representations =
• This video shows the popularity of the artists and highlights the celebrity lifestyle as there are crowd shots and she is wearing a
very glamorous gown with the ‘perfect’ hair and makeup as she is seen as an iconic artist.