Carol Vernallis's Theory

Carol Vernallis is know for her  theory based on the of music editing. Her theory is based around 4 key concepts.
-Narrative
-Editing
-Camera Movement and Framing
-Diegesis

Narrative- Vernallis suggests that the video is a visual response to the narrative, as in whatever is happening visually reflects the lyrics and overall purpose of the song.  Vernallis also says how the narrative may not always be completed leading the audience to question the storyline.

Editing- Carol Vernallis states that a convention of music editing is that the video may disrupt or break the conventions of continuity editing. The video will have a style of editing running throughout that is distinctive to the video. Foe example the music video may include Jump Cuts, cutting with the beat, juxtaposed frames and graphic matches.

Camera- Movements/Framing- Another concept to her theory is that music videos have an establishing shot which is a key feature to the video. Videos also include a range of medium and close-up shots which help to establish the artist. This style of camera work is somewhat distinctive to the video as it may move in time to the lyrics or beat of the song.

Diegisis- This is the setting of the music video, vernallis explains in her theory how the diegesis will be revealed quite slowly. The actions in the video are not always completed and may disrupted in someway. Repetition is considered key throughout the music video as some frames will appear more important than others due to the specific shooting of that setting.


This music video by Shift K3Y for 'I Know' is heavily edited and contains approx. 270 cuts, most of these cuts happen in time to the beat of the song and the cuts gradually get quicker when the pace of song speeds up coming to the chorus. This music video supports the theory of Vernallis as the style of editing is continued throughout the video and is an important feature of creating the tone and relating the concept of the song to the video. The music video also contains a range of Diegisis which is key to the video.