Vernallis

Carole Vernallis, like Goodwin, also studied and wrote a book about music videos (Experiencing Music Video: Aesthetics and Cultural Context) but she focused mainly of editing and camerawork.

She found that in music videos the usual rules of continuity editing are broken and instead the editing has a rhythmic basis connected to the song. The edits are not only far more frequent than in film but are also often far more obvious in order to draw attention to themselves such as with special effects. Base tracks are usually used in order to give the video structure and another common feature is jump cuts usually to keep the video at a high pace and keep it interesting. As well as the editing being in time with the music, Vernallis also found that the camera may move in time with the music.

An example of a music video I found that illustrates many of Vernallis' ideas is Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake.

Camera movement in time with the music.

A large amount of edits in time with the song.

Use of base track (the medium close up of
Justin performing) cut between other shots
to give the video structure.

Use of obvious edits such as special effects.