Performance Based Music

VideoFourFiveSeconds

Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney

Mid-shot of main artist at the start of the video lip synching shows the plain studio background, attracting all attention to the star of the video. The low key lighting engages the audience and makes them curious to watch.

Long-shot illustrates the use of not only one major artist, but three. Shows a visual relationship between the three artists singing the song.

Close up panning shot focusing on the artists lip synching to the camera. Shows a focus on the artists in order to sell the song to the audience.

Mid-shot emphasising the costume and make up of the artist. This reinforces the idea that this music video is performance based.

Long-shot is used to differentiate from the close up lip synching shots used prior to this and keeps the audience engaged. This shot also emphasises the artists outfit, and the white backdrop forces the audience to focus on the star without any distraction.

Close up shot focusing on the artist lip synching. Emphasises the artist as the main part of the music video and tends to make audiences feel closer to the star and thus more likely to buy the song.