Textual Analysis Task

How do audiences know that they are watching a music video?


-This is a narrative-based video and is relatively conventional as the singer, Katy Perry, is the predominant character in the video. In the video she appears to be a strong women as their are frequent close-ups revealing her defiant facial expression.High key lighting is also used which paints her in a positive light and makes her appear more bold and defiant. However she is also displayed as relatively feminine when she emotionally cries and wears a white wedding dress layered with a pink and white bow.
 -It is also easily identified as a music video due to the lack of dialogue at the beginning. Instead of speech the characters communicate through intense eye contact and gestures, in this case the groom swallows deeply and shifts his eyes in a nervous manner portraying his reluctance to get married. Katy Perry then retaliates fiercely through using a fierce facial expression and dynamic movement, this non-naturalism emphasises that it is a music video rather than a short film.
-The bridesmaids in the background then start to do a dance routine, dance sequences are frequent occurrences in pop music videos and are choreographed to fit with the beat of the music.
- During the music video their are also multiple costume changes. Katy Perry changes from her wedding dress into a leather outfit. These quick changes underline that it is a music video, the use of a fan which blows her hair is also conventional in a pop music video.
-There is a rapid cutting rhythm which signifies the turbulence of the two charatcers relationship. The various locations also outline that it is a music video as in may videos the artist is seen in a varity of places. The quick pace also mirrors the upbeat tempo of the music. The various dance routines, common in music videos, also contribute to the poppiness of the song and make the audience feel uplifted when watching.

 What is the purpose of a music video?
The purpose of a music video is to market the artists songs. Therefore Katy Perry would want to make her video appeal to her fanbase. Hot and Cold is one of Katy Perry's earlier videos so would aim to give the audience an idea of who she is as an artist. The music video suceeds in doing this as it a Pop song so the video is relatively upbeat and light, the narrative behind the film of the groom appearing nervous on his wedding day also follows the lyrics of the song as he appears "hot and cold". In addition a music video needs to make the audience remeber the song and overall entertain, this is achieved in this video through Katy Perrys memorable performance as a crazy fiance.