SP - Codes and Conventions of Music Videos

Music videos contain different storylines and meanings, which are portrayed through various ways:

Goodwin's Theory:

Performance - Where the band or the music artist is playing the song throughout the video.

Narrative - Where the song involves a narrative and so, the words and meaning of the song is acted out in some way. 

Concept - Where a music video is based on a single, random idea or concept

However you can have some different ways of approaching a music video:

Mixture - Where there is the musician playing as well as a narrative storyline occurring and the camera cross cuts to each scene. 

Animation - Some music videos involve animation that is edited in, this creates creativity and entertainment to the video. 

Camera: Depending on what the style of the music video is, depends on the type of camera angles that are used, such as:

Crane shots - These are used especially when there is a usage of stages and where the musicians is performing. The crane shots are able to hover around the stage from many different angles to capture what is happening.

Pans/tilts - These are to move to each performer and can also be used to show the location as it pans around which is very effective.

Close ups - They focus on the musicians as their mouths move to the lyrics as well as when there is a narrative and there are close ups on the characters to show their emotions, which suit what the song is about. There are usually close ups on instruments and certain, significant props.

Tracking shots - These are used to track the band members if they move whilst playing their instrumets.

Editing and Sound: The editing process in music videos takes a lot of time and is a crucial part of music videos. ThIS is because, the shots and need to be selected. The lip synching definitely needs to be edited so that the musicians look as though they are actually singing the song at the exact same time as the music playing. Some editing techniques include:

Jump cutting

Footage used is edited to match what is said in the lyrics of the music, as part as parallel editing.

Split screens

CGI effects-many music videos use effects to show impossible outcomes such as superhero moves and flying.

Choosing to include diegetic sound-at the beginning and ending of some music videos, there are scenes without any music to explain what is going on and to start or finish the narrative.

Changes in the levels of sounds- in certain areas of the song, the music level changes for effect, narrative reasons or to suit what is going on.

Mise-en-scene: Mise en scene is important in music videos as it includes:

Props - All music videos contain props depending on the genre and type of song it is, such as, if it is a performance style video, there would be performance equipment, instruments, and stages and lighting.

Costume - This also depends on the lyrics of the song as well as the genre. Certain performers will have different outfits suiting what they are representing in the video.

Location - The setting for music videos basically sets the scene immediately and many settings used are simple settings where many people can relate to.

Mise en scene in different genres: Many music videos have certain elements that make them have various vibes to represent the view of the music tribes, such as:

Hip hop music videos use quite dark colours, simple settings and there are portrayals of women to show their sexuality, which appeals to males. On the other hand, the majority of hip hop music artists are males and so, females are the fans.

Pop music videos feature the usage of many bright colours, flashing lights and creative settings and backdrops. The colours would appeal to mainly younger audiences as many pop artists are young and express themselves through the lyrics of pop music, as well as their costumes that make the musicians look innocent and relatable.

Rock music videos have dark colours throughout and use simple settings. Many videos contain the use of music equipment such as drums and guitars, which is why many rock musicians do performances in their videos. There is a lot of emotion in the videos through the characters and musicians facial expressions, and normally they do not portray happiness in the music videos as they relate the lyrics and meaning of the song to the storyline and emotions.

R'N'B music videos are similar to hip hop videos as they contain simple settings and many show women dressed in revealing clothes. Also, these videos have an element to portray wealth and power through the use of cars and jewellery due to the costume and setting.

Jazz music videos contain bright lights and are often of performances on huge stages. Costumes include suits for the men and sophisticated dresses for women as well as classy hairstyles and bright make up, with the use of old fashioned microphones. The overall view of these videos are to portray sophistication and elegance. 

Others codes and conventions include:

1. Alot of cut shots and not too many transitions between shots

2. Very fast paced editing

3. Short takes

4. Male / female gaze

5. Lip syncing

6. Backing dancers