1. THE CAROL VERNALLIS
THEORY
By Paige Woods

2. The theorist Carol Vernallis is known for her theory based on
music editing. I will be viewing her theory and applying it to
actual music videos. Carol Vernallis theory is based around 4
key concepts that all relate to the way a music video is
manufactured, these concepts are:
 Narrative
 Editing
 Camera Movement and Framing
 Diegesis

3. Narrative
Carol Vernallis when describing her theory particularly the narrative aspect, suggests that the video is a
visual response to the narrative. Therefore whatever is happening onscreen reflects the choice of lyrics that the
artist is singing. However Vernallis then goes on to say how the narrative may not always be completed and
can be partial with the video appearing disjointed, disconnected and appear in fragments. The video has
something driving it forward but this may not necessarily be the narrative, it could be the music itself or other
elements in the video. However if the video is left uncompleted it can lead to many questions about the
narrative that won't always be answered throughout the video. Finally although the video may have a theme
or narrative, it is probably displayed in a montage style, rather than in one clear focus.

4. Editing
Carol Vernallis states that a clear convention of music editing is that the video may disrupt or break the
conventions of continuity editing. The editing may also be bought to the foreground, become visible and not
hidden apposed to the invisible style of continuity editing. Meaning the video will have a style of editing
running throughout that is distinctive to that video. For example you may see:
Jump Cuts
Breaks of the 30’ Degree Rule
Cutting with the lyrics
Extreme changes in pace
Juxtaposed Frames
Graphic Matches

5. Camera Movements and Framing
Carol Vernallis states that establishing shots are one of the key camera features of a music video and are
used frequently throughout a music video as well as close up shots. The style of framing of the video again is
quite distinctive to the video and also the camera may move in time with the lyrics. Extreme shots also known
as master shots are also very common.

6. Diegesis
In terms of media the diegesis is the world of the music video. Carol Vernallis explains how the diegesis will
be revealed quite slowly. The actions in the video won't always be completed and may be disrupted in some
way. There will be many repetitions throughout the video and some frames will appear more important than
others due to the way they have been shot/framed.