Meaning conveyed in music video

Introduction
Within this essay, I will be highlighting and analysing the visual and lyrical
components of two music videos. I will also be comparing and contrasting whilst
distinguishing all the different techniques and conventions used to enhance the
meaning that is trying to be conveyed. The two music videos, which I will be
studying is jar of hearts by Christian Perri and arent the same by Mist.
Cinematography
The music video uses different components of cinematography to convey the
true meaning of the music video. I know this because the whole storyline and
meaning of the song is about a young lady who has been going through a
turbulent relationship. Therefore to emphasise and signify this, different camera
angles and camera movements have been used. For example close ups have
been used significantly in this music video to highlight her facial expressions and
emotions when reciting the more deeply emotional lyrics of the song. This then
allows the viewers to understand the psychological pain she is suffering from
such an unsettled relationship. Another camera shot thats in the music video is
long shots. This is then used to stimulate and allow the viewers to deeply
understand the loneliness in which she is feeling. This is because the constant
use of long shots stimulates a visual which makes her look almost lonely and
crowded by nothing but the choking smoke around her. These camera shots also
links back to the meaning, which is being conveyed as all these elements of
cinematography all highlight the psychological pressure and pain in which this
turbulent relationship is giving her. Another element of cinematography which is
being used to reinforce the notion of heart broke and pain is the use of camera
movement. I know this because the constant swirling from the camera, clearly
emphasises her confusion and the multiple thoughts and ideas which I going
through her head. This use of technique heavily links back to the meaning of the
music video as this technique intensifies her suggestion of almost mental
oppression.
In comparison with the cinematography used within the music video arent the
same is very similar. However the reason and the meaning which is trying to be
conveyed by using these camera angles are completely different. I know this
because the previous song uses long shots consistently to stimulate a visual
which allows the viewers to understand the loneliness and helplessness that the
artist is feeling. However within this music video, long shots are used to highlight
and show the luxurious surroundings and the beautiful visual of serenity and
wealth. This also shows how that the meaning being conveyed within this music
video is much different as it is stating that wealth and money can bring you
happiness and peace. Although the song, arent the same music video uses
close ups like the previous song, the reason and meaning conveyed is completely
different as well. I know this because the previous music video uses close ups to
emphasise and highlight the pure emotions and facial expressions from the heart
broken artist. However this music video uses extreme close ups consistently to

visually force the viewers to understand and apprehend the main artists wealth.
The close ups are also used to show off the masses amount of flashy jewellery.
Mise-en-scene
This music video uses a variety of costumes and props to illustrate and support
the meaning, which is trying to be conveyed. I know this because the music
video contains 2 sets of people divided by their costume colour, the females
being dressed in white and the males being dressed in black. However as the
music video progresses the men with black clothing break the divisive line and
force themselves onto the women. This then causes the clean white clothing to
almost become dark and filthy. The use of this choreography and change in the
colour of the clothing can easily and directly illustrate how pure and clean her
heart was. However due to the pressure and pain from her counter-part she has
become dark and almost emotionless to any circumstance. The use of this
technique links back to the meaning which is being conveyed as the use of these
props highlight the negative and drastic effect that this relationship has had on
her wellbeing. The music video also uses dull lighting to reinforce the notion of
victimisation and sorrow. I know this because throughout the music video the
lighting is very low and not bright. This then could suggest her mood and
expression as the lighting could emphasise her mental state. This also links back
to what the meaning of the music video conveys as it illustrates the pain suffered
from an unhealthy and one sided relationship.
In comparison to the use of Mise- en- scene in the music video arent the same
the use of props and lighting differs and almost opposes the other. I know this
because in the previous song, jar of hearts the props used are simply black and
white clothing and dull lighting to resemble and illustrate her low and poor mood.
The artist also uses these colours to represent and show choreography that
signifies her pure heart being taken over by this supposed oppressor. However
the props used in the video arent the same are expensive cars and boats. This
then links back to the meaning being conveyed as it shows visual evidence of
how hard work can pay off. The uses of these expensive supercars also show a
different attitude and emotion as it shows emotions of confidence and pure brash
behaviour.

Narrative structure
The music video style and structure is a narrative. This is because throughout the
music video and song a unique and distinctive story is being told and played out
by the artists and some fellow actors. The narrative is then used to enhance and
emphasise the meaning conveyed as the storyline reinforces the message and
feeling of oppression and almost pain and sorrow. I know this due to my visual
observation and analysis of the lyrics as they both show physically and verbally a
distraught women in need for psychological support. The style of the music video
is also performance based. Therefore the video uses special types of

choreography that visually and physically illustrates the narrative of how love
can cause heart-breaking pain.
In comparison with the narrative structure of the song and music video arent
the same, there are similarities. I know this because mists music video is
influenced and tells a unique storyline about what it took him and the sheer
dedication and hard work he had to put in to be able to enjoy his wealth. This
structure of a storyline clearly mirrors the structure of the jar of hearts as both
songs are trying to tell a section of their life in different ways.

Lyrical interpretation
The song jar of hearts uses specific techniques and types of lyrics to
emphasise the oppressive relationship in which she is going through. I know this
because the artist uses metaphors to explicitly and thoroughly explain pain and
hurt. Running leaving scars. The use of the word scars Cleary emphasises
how the artist is using metaphors and metaphorically stating how her supposed
cheating boyfriend is permanently harming her psychologically and mentally.
This links heavily to the meaning, which is trying to be conveyed as it suggests
and shows her turbulent relationship.
In comparison with the choice of lyrics in the song arent the same, the lyrics
differ extremely. This is because the video uses bold and confident words to
emphasise the arrogance and ego of the artist. I know this because the artist
states me and these ni**** arent the same to clearly imply that he is unique
and almost superior to everybody else. These choices of words clearly show how
lyrically both the songs differ completely. As one song is signifying brash,
egotistical and explicit behaviour whilst the other is illustrating pain, sorrow and
almost depression about a dysfunctional relationship.
Editing techniques
The music video of the song jar of hearts uses various editing techniques to
elaborate on the meaning which is trying to be conveyed. I know this because
the narrative and overall meaning of the song is about a woman with severe
anxiety due to the drastic effects of a dysfunctional relationship. Therefore to
reinforce this narrative the music video uses the lengths of camera takes to
represent emotion. I also know this because when the scenes start to become
shorter and quicker in motion, the artists starts to recite her more aggressive
and angry lyrics. However when the camera scenes and takes starts to become
longer she talks in a more emotional and expressive tone. This editing can allow
the viewers to visually understand the pure and raw emotion of the artists
throughout the music video.
In comparison with the other music video, arent the same the video uses
different editing techniques to convey the meaning. This is because in this

previous music video different lengths of scenes were used to stimulate

understanding of different emotions, however in mists music video in-between
dialogues were used to consistently show and illustrate how brash and rich the
artists was. I know this because the dialogues were about how expensive there
jewellery was. This then contrasts with the editing techniques of the song jar of
hearts as this video used dialogues to enhance and reinforce the image of
flaunting and spending money whilst the other played with the length of scenes
to highlight emotion and expression.
Conclusion
From comparing, contrasting and analysing all the components of the music
videos. I can firmly state that although both of the music videos have the same
approach and similar ways to emphasise the meaning of the music video, the
reason to use the components of music videos is very different. This is because
the narrative of both of the music video is almost opposite therefore the
techniques to convey there meaning would be responsibly different.