Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions of music videos

Amber Townsend

Why are codes and conventions used?

Codes and conventions are used in music videos for different reasons.

Firstly, they are used so that the audience can become familiar with the genre of music and can recognise it easily.

Secondly, codes and conventions ensure that the video produced fits in with the feelings of the song and the lyrics which are sang.

Thirdly, codes and conventions provide a structure within a video that help the audience member to understand what is happening.

What are codes and conventions?

Codes and conventions are the techniques used to show a meaning within a music video that can relate to the music.

The techniques which are used come under two headings- Technical- Symbolic

Technical techniques

Technical techniques - Technical techniques are how a meaning is conveyed by using technical means such as camera angles, shots, sound, editing and genre. An example of this would be showing a close up camera angle of a persons face to show the emotion they are feeling which relates to the current song lyric.

Symbolic Techniques

Symbolic techniques are ways of showing meaning through things on screen such as facial expressions, gestures, poses, props and mise en scene. This is useful during Narrative videos as the story of the video will be relative to the lyrics making what is on screen symbolic.

Codes and Conventions

Codes and conventions include;

Camera Angels/Shots

Sound

Editing techniques

Mise en Scene

Notions of Looking

Style

Camera angles/shotsCamera Angles are important to think about in music videos as different shots show different meanings and can create different feels throughout the media. For example if someone is crying, the shot may be close up to show the emotion on their face. The camera angles should be considered carefully so that they are relevant to the emotion being shown.

Sound

Sound is important as it is the main piece of the video which is focused on - the song. The song should be synced perfectly with the video along with any lip-syncing or beats. Music videos now often come with cinematic beginnings and ends where the actors in the video talk before or after the song. This adds a narrative effect to the video.

Editing TechniquesEditing techniques are important for the music video as they need to be carefully considered and used to make sure they look professional. Editing is important for different camera angle changes to ensure that they fit the lip-syncing or specific images that relate to the lyrics in on time with the music. Editing techniques can including functions such as cross cutting or jump cuts.

Mise en Scene

Mise en scene is extremely important within a music video as it adds meaning to what the audience sees. This is the arrangement of the scene in the video. The scene needs to be relevant to the emotion of the video and needs to be carefully considered to make sure it fits the song or that there is nothing in the scene which shouldn't be there. Mise en scene includes things such as location, lighting, costume, make up and props.

Notions of LookingNotions of looking is how the audience member views the artists/actors in the music videos. For example, In Kylie Minogues music video for ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ there are angles where Kylie keeps direct eye contact with the camera but dances seductively with a long angle shot looking up towards her legs. This shows sex appeal to the audience to attract them and a specific target audience. Notions of looking also elaborates stereotypes by showing in videos what people expect of certain people.

Style

Style includes narrative, performance and concept videos. These are different types of music videos that can be used to get the song across to attract the target audience.