Convention of a music video

CONVENTION OF A MUSIC VIDEO

BY ALICE VENARD

CONVENTIONS IN MUSIC VIDEOS

• Camera shots

• Camera movement

• Mise-en-scene

• Editing

• Lighting

• Sound

• Props

• Costume

• colour

CAMERA SHOTS• The main shots which are used in music videos are long,

mid and close up shots

• All of these shots are used in order to create emphasis of the artist and promote them throughout the video or they are used to create the narrative throughout the music video

• Conventionally, long shots are used to establish locations whereas close ups and mid shots are used to display emotions or to show the artist lip syncing.

CAMERA MOVEMENT• The camera movement is important as it appealing for the

viewer to watch but allows the viewer to know where to focus.

• The most common camera movements are:- tilts-pans-tracking-crane shots

MISE-EN-SCENE/PROPS• The mise-en-scene is a fundamental aspect in the creation

of a music video

• It’s what represents the narrative of the music video as it gives us the props and performers

• Mise-en-scene also allows us to identify the genre of the music video for example pop videos would have backing dancers whereas rock videos would have band/concert scenes

• Mise-en-scene is also used to emphasise certain aspects. For example in Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ music video, she is seen to be dancing with an umbrella which adds emphasis on the title.

EDITING• It is important is music video that they edit it to the beat

which allows the music to be emphasised but also makes the video more look appealing to the viewer.

• A lot of artists use special effects such as green screen and CGI to make their music video look more unique.- green screen is usually used when the artists is in a car and they want to make it appear that they are travelling somewhere.

• Without editing the video would look bland and would not interest the viewer. For example The Beatles’ ‘Hello Goodbye’ video.

LIGHTING• Lighting is also a convention is music videos. Lighting

allows the viewer to understand the mood and tone they are trying to achieve.

• Madonna uses black and white for her video for ‘Vogue’ to create the illusion of a 1930s-40s film star. Black and white also connotes to glamour, which would fit the title ‘Vogue’, as ‘vogue’ is a high fashion magazine.

SOUND• Extra sound other than the vocals to the song may be

used to add to the narrative. For example Michael Jackson’s music video for ‘Thriller’ has an introduction before the music starts which has diegetic sound. It also features sound effects, which adds to the scary atmosphere of the music video

COSTUME• Costume is used to reflect the genre of the music. For example

in pop videos the artist will most likely wear bright colours whereas in heavy metal/rock they would wear darker colours.

• Costumes also give iconography to the artist. For example, Lady GaGa I known for her unique outfits, which people will associate with her.

• Costumes can be a vital part within many music videos as it is creating connotations for the artists. Furthermore the costumes can also represent part of the narrative/theme of the music video.

CONVENTIONS WITHIN POP GENRE• Bright and colourful

• Close ups

• Extreme close ups

• Upbeat

• Usually aimed at a teen audience

BRIGHT AND COLOURFUL• the bright colours within the music video will convey the

upbeat, fun and happy atmosphere of the pop genre and the music

• For example, Lady GaGa and Beyonce’s ‘telephone’ music video, the artists are wearing bright coloured costumes which contrasts the dull setting of the prison. This makes the music video quirky but also is conventional of the pop genre

CLOSE UPS• Close ups are conventionally used in most music videos

as it allows the viewer to see the emotion of the artist/characters of the narrative. It also is a way for the artist to give direct address which will make the viewer feel as if the artist is staring directly at them

• Close ups are also used to show lip syncing and add emphasis to the lyrics

EXTREME CLOSE UPS• These are used in order for the audience to focus on the

artist/characters of the narrative during the video

• Extreme close ups allow a certain theme or identity to be placed on the artist

UPBEAT• Pop music videos display the music, people and the

atmosphere of the songs to be upbeat in a variety of ways.

• The upbeat atmosphere of the music video can be shown through the dance routine and editing to the beat.

AIMED AT TEEN AUDIENCES• Pop music videos are usually aimed at teenagers so they

can feature special effects or quirky narratives which will appeal to this audience.

• Most pop songs are aimed at teenagers are about love. The themes of love will represented through the lyrics of the song but also the mise-en-scene of the music video.