Music Video Analysis Taylor Swift – Blank Space

Comment on the following aspects in relation to your music video choice. How will these techniques appeal to the target audience needs?

Target Audience & Needs

I believe that the target audience for this music video has no specific age range, as Taylor Swift has a variety of different age ranges who listen to her music. The music video is also humorous and fun packed, and also has a story behind it which will be enjoyable to watch for a younger audience but can also be relatable to an older audience as it’s about people in relationships playing “games”. I also believe that the music video itself isn’t aimed at a certain genre as it involves both male and female characters (Taylor Swift), it isn’t aimed at a certain ethnicity either.

Lyrics (Meaning Implied?)

The meaning of the lyrics are mocking what the press say about Taylor Swift herself. The song lyrics itself are going through each stage of meeting someone. The first verse, which includes the lyrics “oh my god, look at that face, you look like, my next mistake” suggest that Taylor finds this certain man good looking, but also thinks that he will be temporary and will not last long. She is overall comparing the good and the bad of her relationships and suggests that she can have trust issues because of her previous relationships “got a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll tell you I’m insane, cause you know I love the players, and you love the game”.

Tempo The tempo of the song is quite slow, but could be classed as “electropop” as it has a fun feel to it.

Genre The genre of the music video is a narrative. This is because a story is being told and Taylor Swift is the main actress in it. It is also classed as a genre music video as it is shown like a short story or film. It can also be relatable to the audience as the music video is based around love and breakups.

Camera Technique There are many camera techniques throughout this music video, such as many close up shots on Taylor’s face. When both characters are arguing during the end of the video a tracking shot is used to follow the conflict when the characters are storming off. There are also the use of medium shots, long shots and POV shots.

Editing Cutting shots are used frequently throughout.

Use of Digital Effects The beginning of the music video appears to have a dark colour scheme; which represents Taylor mourning over the fact that she has just lost a love. Then because another man comes along the colour scheme then changes to bright, light and colourful. Then at the end of the music video the colour scheme changes back to a dark theme as she has just lost another love.