MusicProject: Conventions of music videos

General conventions of music videos include:

Close up shots of artist performing

Lyrics of the song influencing what is shown in the video

Pace of edit matches the pace of the music

Costume reflects the mood of the song

Lip syncing

Camera

The type of video will determine the type of camera angles for instance:

Crane shots- mainly used in stage performances where the camera hovers around the stage from many different angles to capture what is happening

Pan/tilts- can be used to show the location of move from performer to performer

Close ups- focuses on the artist/(s) or characters used in narrative videos

Establishing shot- can be used as introduction of music video, showing the time period and setting

Extreme close up- focuses on a specific feature within another object

High/low angle- mostly used to show power balances

Medium shots- used to capture a small composition object(s) or a person

Editing/Sound

Jump cuts
Split screens
CGI effects- shows the impossible e.g. flying
Diegetic sounds- no sound in the beginning and the end of the music video to help with the narration
Changes in the sound level of music

Mis-en-scene

Props- depends on the genre of & type of song e.g. performance style video will include a stage etc
Costume- depends on the lyrics & genre
Location- sets the scene, mostly simple settings, differs from genre to genre
Facial expressions

Codes and Conventions: Genres

Different genres have different codes and conventions which allow the genre to be recognised and attract/appeal to their target audience. Here are a few genres and their familiar conventions...

Indie/Rock