Music Video Technqiues

This is America Things

In 30 seconds, what are three things that you notice placed in the frame in this music video still?

Mise-en-scène

Everything you just named—the clothes, the props, the lighting, the location—has a formal film term. In cinema, we call it Mise-en-scène (pronounced MEEZ-ahn-sen). It’s a French phrase that literally means 'placing on stage.'

Which part of SWAT does this represent?

Symbolic
Written
Audio
Technical

Diegetic & Non-Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound is any sound that exists inside the story world. The characters in the scene can hear it. This includes things like character dialogue, footsteps, door slams, or a car engine revving. If a character turns on a car radio and starts dancing to it, that radio music is diegetic because it exists in their world.

Non-Diegetic sound is sound added in post-production that exists outside the story world. The audience can hear it, but the characters inside the scene cannot. This includes background music scores, dramatic swoosh sound effects, or a narrator’s voiceover.

Bob Dylan Sounds

Is the sound of the music in Dylan diegetic or non-diegetic? What about any other sounds?

Which SWAT code does this connect to?

Editing Choices

Parallel Editing

Parallel editing cuts back and forth between two events happening at the same time in different places. Because the scenes are woven together, the audience naturally connects them in their mind. Directors use this technique to build intense suspense, show contrast, or link two separate storylines.

Example: Cutting back and forth between a hero racing to a scene and a ticking bomb countdown.

Jump Cuts

A jump cut is an edit between two shots of the same subject from almost the same angle. Instead of a smooth transition, the footage "jumps," making time appear to skip forward instantly. Directors use jump cuts to speed up time, create urgency, or make a scene feel jarring and frantic.

Example: A character getting dressed where split-second cuts show each item popping on instantly.

CGI

CGI refers to any visual elements created or altered using computer software rather than live camera footage. This ranges from subtle digital color changes to full-scale digital creatures, magic, or futuristic worlds. Directors use CGI in music videos to create surreal visuals or pull off impossible visual effects.

Example: An artist walking through a completely animated space station or floating through outer space.

Framing / Movement

Framing is how the subject is positioned inside the shot, while Movement is how the camera moves through space. Camera movements include panning across a scene, zooming in, or tracking along with a walking character. Together, framing and movement dictate where your eyes look and shape how you feel about the scene.

Example: A locked, wide shot feels calm, while a fast, shaky tracking camera creates chaotic action.

This is Gospel Edit

Which type of editing has been used in 'This is Gospel?' How does the editing affect the pace? How is this connected to the objects and overall atmosphere of the video?