2. What are the conventions of a
music video?
• The conventions of a music video vary depending on
genre of music. However, the general conventions
include; The Style, The Camera, The Editing Techniques,
The Sound (non diegetic and diegetic), Mise- en Scene –
props, lighting, costume – hair and makeup,
location/setting, colours, Notions of looking –
stereotyping.
3. Narrative
• A Narrative music video basically follows a
story line. The two types of narrative are
linear and fragmented . A linear narrative
begins with a story, setting the scene, then
progressing though a middle and end. A
fragmented narrative is one which does
not follow this pattern.
• Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” has a clear
narrative plot linking together with the
lyrics.
4. Performance
• Performance is when the music video consists mainly of the artists
performing in the video. Music videos that are solely dedicated to
performance are not the most popular type, as the audience is less able to
engage with the song or video. When costume and lighting are used
creatively to enhance the performance, this can make it more interesting to
watch.
• A good example of a performance based music videos is ‘Can We Dance’ by
The Vamps. Not only does this music video have the artist, it also has fans
contributing to the music video.
5. Cameo
• A Cameo appearance is when an artist is featured in the narrative of
the music video for a short period.
• An example of this type of music video is ‘Rihanna - What’s My
Name’ the video features Drake who is a cameo in this music video.
6. Mixture
• Some music videos use a combination of narrative and performance. This makes the
video can be made more interesting and enjoyable to watch for example in The Foo
Fighters’ video – ‘My Hero’ there are scenes where the band is performing and then
there are some scenes which have the video as a narrative.
7. Camera angles
• The position of the camera determines the angle of the shot. Camera angles play a huge part in emphasising the
artist or to show emotions and expressions. Other camera angles that are simply the most common in music
videos , are close ups, showing the artist lip syncing, and extreme close ups were lyrics can be linked to visuals. The
camera never stays on one shot for longer than 3-5 seconds.
• Eye-Level Shot -this is a very common view being the real world angle that we are all use to seeing, it shows
subjects as we would expect to see them in real life.
• High Angle - This is were the camera shows the subject from above, and the camera is angled down towards the
subject, which has the effect of making them appear less powerful, less significant and or even submissive.
• Low Angle - This is were the subject is shown from below, giving the impression of being more powerful o r
dominant.
• Bird’s Eye - this angle is showing the subject/ scene from directly above, and its is completely different and can be
from an unnatural point of view which can be used to add a dramatic effect or showing a different partial
perspective. It can also show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to
see things the character might not see
• Slanted -this is when the camera is slanted also known as a Dutch angle. the camera is purposely tilted to one side
so the horizon is on an angle, this is creative in making interesting dramatic effects. Dutch tilts are also popular in
MTV-style video production, where unusual angles and lots of camera movement play a big part.
8. Camera Shots
• Very wide shot - This is were the artist is shown visible (barley) but the emphasis is still
on placing the artist in the location/setting.
• Wide Shot - This is were the artist is shown taking up most of the shot but the
location/setting is still focused on.
• Mid Shot - this shows the artist from his/her waist to head, and focuses mainly on the
subject but still giving an impression of the location/setting.
• Medium Close up - this shot is halfway between a mid shot and a close up, showing the
artist from chest to head.
• Close up - this shot shows the artists face or can show an object that the artist is holding, or
something were the camera focuses closely on.
• Extreme Close up - this shows the artists face extremely close , for example eyes, or
mouth to identify something it can have the effect of showing the audience the artists
thoughts and feelings or even showing a lip sync commonly used in music videos.
• Over the shoulder Shot - this is a good shot used , specifically in narrative based music
videos usually when the artist is acting and speaking to another person you tend to see an
over the shoulder shot to display the conversation , or to show something the character is
looking at.
• Cut In- this shot can be used in music videos to show something that the lyrics might be
saying for example I will shoot you with my gun ‘ and a gun comes in’ It shows the object in
detail, similar to a n extreme close up, but used very quickly, or and object that relates to the
subject or narrative.
9. Camera movements
• The camera movements control the action. These movements include panning and
tracking. A director may decide to move the camera with the action, or the other
choice is to move action along by telling the story as a series of cuts, going from one
shot to another.
• Pan - This is were the camera scans a scene horizontally. The camera is placed on a
tripod, which operates as a stationary axis point as the camera is turned, often to
follow a moving object which is kept in the middle of the frame.
• Dolly/ Tracking - This is were the camera is mounted on a cart which travels along
tracks for a very smooth movement.
10. Camera
• The expert technical use of the camera is very important, as different effects
can be created with the use of different angles and movement.
• Very wide shot
• Wide Shot
• Mid Shot
• Medium Close up
• Close up
• Extreme Close up
• Over the shoulder Shot
• Cut In
• Eye-Level Shot
• High Angle
• Low Angle
• Bird’s Eye
• Slanted
• Pans
• Dolly Tracking
Camera Shots, Angles and Movements
11. Editing
• Editing is the conclusion of the music video. Editing involves cutting scenes down,
adding special effects and adding the track to the music video.
• Editing consists of the following things:
• Jump Cutting -CGI effects (the process used for generating animated images by using
computer graphics). An example of this is in the music video in “Sing” by Ed Sheeran.
12. Mise-en-scene
• The Mis -en -scene for music videos focuses on the
lighting, props, costume, hair and makeup, location, and
colour these elements usually depend on the genre of the
music video and the style.
• These elements are used to represent certain characters
in different ways.
• Lighting – how the scene is lit / artificial lights/ side
lights
• Props – performance equipment, band merchandise
• Costume - certain outfits
• Hair and makeup – style of the artist
• Location – concert halls venues, streets etc
• Colour - Specific colours representing a mood
13. Sound
• Sound consists of two main forms diegetic sound which is already present in the film and non -
diegetic sound which can be edited in.
• Sound, like footage can be edited to create different effects and variations.
• Sound Parallel sound is when the music matches the mood of the video. An example would be if
the song was slow then the movements and action in the video would also be slow to go with the
mood of the song.
• Some music videos have diegetic sound, where they include sound from the environment, such as
birds, police sirens that make the video seem more realistic. However, the music itself is non-
diegetic sound.
14. Others
• Props - In many music videos , props are used to support the
narrative, and to link the lyrics and visuals.
• The costume and hair are highly important as it displays the
way the artists want to present themselves. They can also
illustrate the narrative, relating to what the song is about.
• The location, and scene of a music video can not only show the
audience were the artist is, but also can decide on the genre.
Locations for instance such as the beach, in a car, at a party are
commonly used to appeal to young people. The location
influence the genre, but also be chosen purposely to relate to
the song. Some locations are always remembered as they are
famous and instantly recognisable, such as the U2 video where
they performed on top of a building in a busy New York city
street.
