Research: Music Video Analysis 5

Artist: Taylor Swift 

Song: Bad Blood 

Release Date: 17th May 2015 

Record Company: RCA - Big Machine 

Director: Shell Back 

Narrative: 

The narrative of this music video is seen to include the idea of a fight between Taylor and her enemies. In the video her enemies are portrayed by her famous friends, as they pretend to be in a battle against one another. The narrative of the video is seen to be representing what is happening in the artists life at the moment, with the lyrics suggesting that she has fallen out or had an argument with someone. Having these lyrics shows that this song has real meaning and allows the audience to be able to connect more with the artist. Going into more detail about the specific song, it can be heard that it is upbeat and fast tempo, which makes it easier for the video to be edited to the beat. This makes the video standard even better as editing in time to the beat enables it to be more in sync. 

Camera: 

via GIPHY

One camera technique that is shown within the music video 'Bad Blood' is the idea of the camera following the main character of which is portrayed by Taylor Swift. This camera technique connotes Taylor's importance within the video, and ensures that the focus is always on her. Having the focus on her is beneficial to the music video as her name and image is a method of marketing. This could be a reason why people might have watched this video in the first place as the artist herself already had a big following before the video was released.

Another camera technique that was used in the music video 'Bad Blood' is the idea of numerous amounts of close ups. The close ups in the video also allow the focus to be put on Taylor Swift, as it ensure that her audience is looking at her throughout the video, rather than drifting away and looking at the other celebrities. Adding on to this the close ups also allow her to become the center of attention. Having Taylor the center of attention helps the video as it enables her to stand out from other people. This idea links to Dyers theory of stardom and star image, as it allows the artist to create her individual image to the audience, and to present what kind of artist she is. 

Editing: 

via GIPHY

Editing is the part of the a video that allows all the clips to be put together and become a whole. One type of editing that has been incorporated in this video is the idea of fast pace editing. Fast pace editing allows the video to stick to one specific beat, of which for this video is of a fast tempo. By using this type of editing within the music video it allows the quality of the final product to improve. The way that it allows this to happen is through idea that the video clips and song are in time with one another, making it look nicer for the audience when watching the final video.

via GIPHY

Another editing technique that has been used in the video is a montage. In the video their is a montage throughout of clips of Taylor. The use of this montage can be helpful to get her image across to the audience as another way of marketing. The reason that this is beneficial is due to the idea that when the audience is watching the artists music video, the main reason that they are watching it in the first place is because they are a fan of the artist who created it, meaning that they are likely to want to see more of them throughout the video. 

Mise-en-scene: 

Mise-en-scene is known to be the parts of the video that can be seen on the screen. This includes the characters, props and location of a video. When looking at this music video inparticular, the first thing that can be noticed is the costuming. Taylor's character in the music video is seen to be wearing dark clothing with a very heavy eye look along with it. The use of this costuming establishes the mood of the video, of which shows Taylor's anger. The anger that Taylor is portraying is through the characters acting and real life anger that she might still be holding in from her argument. Adding on to this the costuming of Taylor in this music video is very different from what she would usually wear, as this costume is showing more of an edgy side to the artist, whereas she would usually be in a bright dainty girly dress, showing more of her feminine side. From this costume it allows the audience to see Taylor's other side. Showing Taylor's other side will interest a wider audience as people are more likely to want to see her in another style of clothing and out of her comfort zone.

Another thing that can be noticed in this music video is the props. The props in the music video can be seen to include both a knife and a sword. Including these props shows that in the music video and real life Taylor is very vulnerable and weak after previous events that might have occurred in her life. The props in the music video allow her character to be come more confident and can be used as a method of protection and guard herself what might come her way. This could link to her real life a Taylor might be trying to get a message across to her audience that she is not going to be in the same position as she has been, and is not going to be walked all over and hurt by other people.

via GIPHY

The video starts of with an establishing shot, that allows the outside and inside location to be seen by the audience. Including these shots means that the scene is being set up and can easily be noted by the audience.  Having this shot it also shows the low lighting that is continued throughout the video, allowing the mood to be set up. The mood in this video seems to be very low, as darkness reflects sadness and anger.