Textual analysis of a music video

We were given a sheet on how to structure an essay for textual analysis. The music video i choice was November Rain by Guns n Roses. One of the paragraphs was to include the relationship between lyrics and visuals, this is to identify ways in which the lyrics and illustrations are shown. This can be either amplified and/or contradicted by the visuals.

The next paragraph was about the relationship between music and visuals, this can be about the visuals cutting to the beat, a colour change to the beat. Or any solo instrumental bits illustrated by the video and if the video changes pace with the music. For example does the video have long cuts if it's slow music then get quicker when the beat picks up.

The the next paragraph is about close ups and the artist as a star image. So this is how the record company would sell the artist for example, the Kylie Minougue video has her in a very revealing white dress this will sell her to a male audience because of the use of voyeurism. What image the artist/ band is being offered and how the video and artists relate to previous videos and artists.

Next paragraph is about the reference to the notion of looking. Do you get the sense that the artist is on sexual display or are other people in the video sue in this way. Does the camera, costumes, dance or anything else imply sexualised display and are there any other references to 'looking such as screens with screens or binoculars, cameras etc.

The next paragraph is about intertextuality references basically saying does this video remind you of another video. This can be by the camera work or the same setting or similar costumes.

The next paragraph is about the music video performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based. How much of each is shown if all used and finally end it with a conclusion. Some sections of this essay plan we used to plan our music video like the visuals to music. We could have a glass in shot when the word glass is used and we can use the music to visuals and edit to the beat of the song when its very up beat at the chorus.

By louise Thorne