This document analyzes the music video for Rihanna's song "California King Bed." The video tells a story of two former lovers trying to rekindle lost feelings. It features natural scenery and soft lighting to create a dreamlike atmosphere. Rihanna wears minimal, pure white clothing to portray the idea of a "perfect girl." The video focuses closely on Rihanna and uses camera techniques like close-ups and profile shots to emphasize her as the artist.

2. RIHANNA
California King Bed
Rihanna is a successful, modern artist
that has released a verity of number
ones, that are different genres
including; dance, R&B, hip hop. However
I have decided to analyse her
‘California King Bed’ release.
‘California King Bed’ is a song based on a love struggle,
it shows two people that used to be in love but they
are now broken hearted and are trying to find the
feels they once had for each other.

3. EFFECTS
NATURE In the video there is a scene where it cuts to
Nature is shown during the video in black and white this creates interest and makes
lots of sections, through leaves, trees the video unique from others with an exciting
and the main location surrounded in feature.
sky, this creates a natural impression LIGHTING
and suggests that this is a dream due Soft lighting is used with a natural
to the clouds. At the start a backing theme, however in parts the visuals
track is used of the sea this get over exposed by the lighting, this
establishes the mise-en-scene. gives the impression of a dream like
feel. The video also uses a red toned
light which is highlighted by Rihanna’s
ACTORS hair, red shades suggest warmth and
The only other character in the video is an autumn impression which
Rihanna's love which is a handsome male represents a new start.
actor, the camera never focuses on him and
only shows him sitting on the bed and CAMERA ANGLES & MOVEMENTS
interacting with Rihanna, this means that The video consists of lots of close-ups whilst
focus is not taken away from the artist. Rihanna is performing and profile shots are used
Although in one scene his body is shown this creates focus on the artist, also shown in areas
with water flowing down it but its reversed were Rihanna is directly singing into the camera.
and is shown in black and white. Transitions are smooth throughout the video and
in places over exposer is used with the sun to
COSTUME & MAKEUP blank out the visuals. The camera has oft and
Rihanna uses the codes and conventions
flowing movements and often does arc and
of a love pop video in the aspect of
circular techniques.
clothing this is achieved with little
clothing which Rihanna is known for, the
clothes she does wear are all white and LOCATIONS
cream suggesting purity, they are pretty The whole video is based around one room
pieces which gives the idea of a perfect with a bed in the middle which links in to the
girl. The makeup is natural with making lyrics of ‘king bed’ the room is surrounded by
a statement which also suggests perfect COMPOSTION white curtains which blow in the wind.
girl and allows people to focus on this Rihanna is sometimes shown on one side of the However parts of the video show her lying on
meaning without being distracted. camera to create focus on the background and the grass or standing next to an autumn tree.
location this also creates visual impact.

4. GABRIELLE APLIN
Never Fade
Gabrielle Aplin is an up coming artist
that was recognised on YouTube, her
target audience is young consumers
who enjoy pop and Folk music.
The video to this song was created on a small
budget that is why I think to would allow us to
see what we could create and gain inspiration.

5. ACTORS LOCATIONS
EFFECTS The video concentrates on her however at All the scenes are set outside,
During the video lots of scenes are the end it shows her with her friends this including fields and woods. Nature
overlapped by others, meaning one creates a light hearted end to the video. is used in the way of flowers, trees
scene is behind and then another and leaves are shown and the
layered with a transparent effect camera focuses on them. A natural
allowing you see to both scenes. This breeze of wind is used in the
is very effective and in most it has the performance scene which fits in
artist performing in a still shot and with codes and conventions of a
then a moving shot of nature, behind. females music video, this
technique is used a lot to create
drama.
LIGHTING
Natural light is used throughout. In
places light is shown to be beaming CAMERA ANGLES & MOVEMENTS
through the leaves and trees this The video uses a wide range of camera techniques,
allows the video to make the most of movement was used a lot including panning
the location. Candles are shown in however this was very fast and in some areas
lanterns this is near the end were it became over powering. This doesn't fit in with the
turns into night time, this creates a normal techniques used in this type of genre. The
dreamy and romantic atmosphere. camera tracked her walking and just showed her
feet, in other places, tilting was. In the
performance scenes close-ups and profile angles,
to enhance the artist.
PROPS
The props play a big part to this video in the performing
scene there are home accessories including lamps,
pennants banners, curtains and frames. All of these COSTUME & MAKEUP
props are representing a stereotypical romance music Gabrielle only has one costume in
video. One of the frame says ‘Home, Sweet, Home’ this the video this identifies that it’s a
suggests that nature is her home and she feels low budget video.
comfortable with a natural environment.

6. TAYLOR SWIFT
Mine
Taylor swift is a well established artist
that uses meaningful ideas and issues in her
song and lyrics, although most of her
releases focus on love ideas.
The video to ‘Mine’ is based on a performance and narrative
theme. The narrative is addressing a love story of ‘boy meets
girl’ as its realistic and her fans can relate to this. The video is
structured as her life and the audience seems to be following
her as a fly on the wall to this love struggle.

7. PERFORMANCE
LIGHTING The scene where she is performing is
Light is flashed to create a in the woods there are family photos
transition this is used to suggest hanging from the branches, this links
that it’s a dream or a memory to into the narrative and creates an
the audience. Light is also used interesting mise-en-scene. Taylor is
to create the right emotions and wearing a white dress to suggest
atmosphere were she is looking purity and there is light dapple
back at her childhood its duller beaming through the trees.
this gives the idea that it was an
unhappy time. Whereas in the LOCATIONS
future its shown to be bright and The video is set in a rural area, and shows the
a happy time period of her life. family home, town and a beach. The beach is
first shown when her and her love go together
then later they revisit with their children. The
locations are meant to suggest that this story
CAMERA ANGLES & MOVEMENTS could be anyone's and that it relates to
Simple camera movements are used, however everyone life.
during the performance the camera is looking
down at her and follows her this creates the idea THEME
of we want to be n her position and allows the The lyrics paints vivid visual images to
audience to focus on the artist. Taylor sings into the audience this is then linked ins with
the camera making us concentrate on the song as the images shown on the video.
well as the strong narrative.
EFFECTS
COSTUME & Taylor looks into a family photo and the camera
MAKEUP is looking into it as an over the shoulder shot
Taylor’s clothing gets more this gives the idea of we are in her shoes, it then
mature as the narrative shows are reflection looking back at us before it
develops this indicates the cuts into her memories of this time period.
plot of time to the audience. Silhouettes are used in scenes were her and the
However the costumes are male character are used this is an effective
always pretty and fit in with method to clearly show the characters and not
the stereotypical. the situation.

8. ASHTON SHEPHERD
where Country Grows
Ashton Shepherd is a country styled
artist that is signed by MCA
Nashville.
The song uses simplicity to establish the genre. It is
mainly a performance video however certain scenes
show a narrative.

9. LOCATIONS
The video is set in a farm and the
THEME grounds around are used including the
This video follows the codes and fields and the main mise-en-scene
conventions of a country styled genre shows a large tree with a home made
mainly due to the lyrics and song. bench under it. The location is a big
However this is established in the video part in establishing the genre of
by the artist playing the guitar, the Country styled artist.
location and the style of video.
EFFECTS
The colouring on the visuals
LIGHTING have been edited as the
Sunlight is used as a spot light background seems dull this
on the artist this gives the allows the audience to focus on
impression she is performing . the artist and not the location.
COSTUME & MAKEUP
Her costume links in with the theme of a
country girl, as she is wearing cowboy boots
and a patterned dress. Her hair is down and
CAMERA ANGLES & MOVEMENTS
blows in the wind this appeals to the
The transitions used in the video are created by over
audience., as she looks attractive.
exposing the camera and then cutting to another scene,
this technique creates an interesting transition that fits
in with the location and doesn’t seem out of place.