MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS SHEET

Textual Analysis
Now that you have chosen a genre and song, you will need to produce at least three
individual detailed analyses of similar products for you main task.
Analyse 1 (more you do, more marks) music videos of your choice in relation to
cinematography, sound, mise-en-scene, editing and conventions (remember Goodwins.
Genre and technical).
Task 1 Use the grid below to analyse your chosen music video. Remember you need to
analyse how shot types, camerawork, Mise en Scene, editing, intertextuality
and representation are used to make the video appeal to the target audience.
Dont describe what you see, analyse how its being presented to you.
Take screenshots from the video to illustrate your analysis and use a website
like www.lyrics.com to find the lyrics. Write the lyric that matches the
screenshot below it. If its a musical break then describe it, for example, Drum
solo and guitar feedback. In the section called Shot type and movement
describe what the frame is and if the camera is still or moving then analyse the
effect of this. In the box labelled analysis you need to look at everything you
see in the screenshot and talk about why its there and how it appeals to an
audience. For the box marked Edits you should note what sort of edit or
transition is used. Theres an example below.
MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS Rolo Tomassi Party Wounds
Remember Dont just describe. You need to analyse the effect it has too.
Always try and link it back to how it appeals to audience.

Music Video Textual Analysis___Hozier- Take me to Church

______________________________________________
Shot type and camera movement
Two shot, handheld camera

Analysis
The two shot has a black and white effect
which is commonly associated with the indie
genre as it gives an old fashioned look to the
video which appeals to an indie audience. The
lyrics could be interpreted as the man in the
video being religious (amen) but he is also
homosexual which is shown in this two shot of
the two men kissing, and he has to hide his
sexuality because society or the church wont
accept him otherwise. This would appeal to the
audience as they can feel sympathy for the
character and it also creates a hyper reality that
homosexual people have to hide their true
identities from society. The lyrics I was born
sick also reinforces the idea to the audience
that in this reality being homosexual isnt
acceptable and must be secret or people arent
allowed to get on with their lives.

Music/lyrics: I was born sick, but I love

it, amen

Edit/transitions: long take compared to other

takes

Shot type and camera movement

Mid shot tracking backwards as character
moves forwards

Analysis

The mid shot has a black and white effect

which is commonly associated with the indie
genre as it gives an old fashioned look to the
video which appeals to an indie audience. This
mid shot tracks backwards as the character
walks forwards to create a dramatic effect and
makes the character seem threatening to the
audience. Costume is also used to make the

character look intimidating as his hood is up

and he has a balaclava on his face. The lyrics
also have religious connotations and signify
that being homosexual is a sin and homosexual
people will be persecuted by characters such as
this one.
Music/lyrics Ill tell you my sins and you Edit/transitions: very short take
can sharpen your knife

Shot type and camera movement

Wide shot tracking backwards

Analysis
The wide shot has a black and white effect
which is commonly associated with the indie
genre as it gives an old fashioned look to the
video which appeals to an indie audience. I
also think that the black and white is used to
show an old fashioned setting in a time where
homosexual people werent accepted in society.
The costume that this character is wearing is
used to signify his sexuality as he is covering
his body as much as possible as he needs to
hide his true identity from society and the
audience can see this. Also, the lyrics signify
that the character desperately wants to be
accepted for who he is and this is displayed in
his lyrics as he says he will devote his life to
God if he can be accepted by the people that
discriminate him.

Music/lyrics
Ill worship like a dog at the shrine of
your life
Shot type and camera movement
Mid shot panning across

Edit/transitions
Longer take

Analysis
The mid shot has a black and white effect
which is commonly associated with the indie
genre as it gives an old fashioned look to the
video which appeals to an indie audience. The
lyrics again connote religious meaning and
describe the men dragging the homosexual man
across the grass as a ritual, almost as if it has to
be done, which also signifies that
homosexuality is not acceptable within religion
at this time. I also believe that the man being
dragged away by the men always knew that
this would happen to him but he no longer
wanted to hide away from who he was and the

audience can feel sympathy towards the man as

he has accepted his fate.
Music/lyrics
No masters or kings when the ritual
begins

Edit/transitions
Long take

Shot type and camera movement

Long shot that pans down

Analysis
The long shot has a black and white effect
which is commonly associated with the indie
genre as it gives an old fashioned look to the
video which appeals to an indie audience. The
long shot shows a setting that is well hidden
away which shows how the two men have to
hide their love for each other otherwise they
risk being discarded from society. The lyrics
also explain that because of the main characters
religious beliefs, he is not allowed to be
homosexual so he essentially leads a secret life
away from religion where he can be himself,
however society cannot know about his other
life. The shot pans down to show the isolation
of the setting and also shows the man looking
round to see if anyone can see him, to ensure
that his secret life will not be discovered by
anyone.

Music/lyrics
my church offers no absolutes

Edit/transitions
Long take