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Codes and Conventions of Music Videos

This document discusses codes and conventions used in music videos across different genres. It begins by outlining technical techniques like camera angles and shots as well as symbolic methods of conveying hidden messages. Codes and conventions are used to familiarize audiences with genres and provide structure to understand song narratives. Various music video styles are then described like performance videos with just the artist, narrative videos that tell a story, and combination or animated videos. Camera shots, angles, movements and elements of mise-en-scene that establish setting and mood are also defined.

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103 views15 pages

Codes and Conventions of Music Videos

This document discusses codes and conventions used in music videos across different genres. It begins by outlining technical techniques like camera angles and shots as well as symbolic methods of conveying hidden messages. Codes and conventions are used to familiarize audiences with genres and provide structure to understand song narratives. Various music video styles are then described like performance videos with just the artist, narrative videos that tell a story, and combination or animated videos. Camera shots, angles, movements and elements of mise-en-scene that establish setting and mood are also defined.

Uploaded by

Conor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Codes and

Conventions of
Music Videos in
Different Genres
By
Conor Window

Techniques
Technical The connotations and denotations
created through the usage of the technical
equipment, such as the different camera angles
and shots, as well as diegetic and non diegetic
sounds.

Symbolic deeper methods of connoting hidden


messages, e.g facial expressions, poses and
mis-en-scene

Why are codes and


conventions used?
To enable audience members to familiarize
themselves with the music genre, being able to
recognize them easily.

To provide an organized structure to the


narrative of songs in which the audience is able
to easily understand and relate to, connoting
Blumer and Katz theory of uses and
gratifications.

To ensure the song lyrics have a directly related


video, much like the audience members expect
from the artist.

Performance
Performance music videos consist of the artist
singing/rapping the lyrics without a narrative being
denoted to the audience. This is not a very common style
amongst genres such as R&B and Pop, as artists typically
like to engage target audiences through the use of a
narrative. However this is very common for rap music
videos. A good example of this is the video for WSTRN
In2, where all 3 artists perform their individual parts to
the camera.

Narrative
A narrative music video denotes a story that is
typically told through the lyrics. There are two
types: linear, which denotes the story from start
to end, and fragmented, where there is no
structure to the story. An example of a narrative
music video is Joe Weller Wanna Do, where
the artist is portrayed on a day out in Brighton
with a female.

Combination
Some music videos are a mixture of both a narrative and
a performance. This allows more content for the music
video, possibly attracting more audience members.
However it may be more time consuming. A good example
of this combination is Eminems Whatever You Say I Am,
where the rapper can be seen both performing lyrics into
the camera and acting as if the paparazzi is disturbing
him and his family whilst they attempt to eat in peace.

Animated
Animated music videos are created through
computer graphics, typically being cartoons.
These cartoons can portray the narrative of the
songs lyrics. A band that uses this method for all
of their videos is Gorillaz, with all 4 members
portrayed by a different character. The music
videos for Feel Good Inc. and Clint Eastwood
can be seen bellow.

Cameo
This is a music video where another band, artist
or famous actor appears in the music video. An
example of this would be DBanjs Oliver Twist,
where artists Kanye West (left) and Big Sean
(right) appear in the music video, despite not
having a part in the song.

Abstract
An abstract music video is a music video with a
random theme or narrative that does not relate
to the songs title or lyrics. An example of an
abstract music video is Cold Play Paradise,
where a man in an elephant suit is denoted on
his journey to Africa in order to meet his fellow
band members, also in elephant suits.

Camera Shots
Close up this camera shot allows
specific focus on a certain object, such
as an artists facial expressions or the
item theyre holding.

Establishing shot this allows the


setting/location of the music video to
be set and the audience to recognize
it

Long shot this type of shot allows


the setting/background of the music
video to be denoted to the
audience. It could connote that the
on screen character is tiny
compared to the location.

Camera Shots
Over the shoulder this shot is
typically used in narrative music
videos. It denotes what am artists
conversation or viewpoint of a
location.

POV shot this shot denotes the


point of view of the on screen
character, allowing the audience to
have an insight of what they can
see

Wide shot this shot denotes


the artist in the shot, however
the focus is more on the
location in which they are in,
resulting in it taking up most of
the camera shot

Camera Angles
Low Angle This angle denotes the
artists as being looked up at,
connoting superiority, dominance and
power, 3 hegemonic views of the male
gender.

High Angle This denotes the


artist from above, almost
looking down upon them. This
connotes the dominant ideology
of women being the less
superior gender.

Birds eye view This angle


denotes the individual from
directly above, allowing the
audience a larger view of the
surroundings. This also
denotes things the on screen
character may not see
themselves.

Camera Movements
Tracking shot this is when the
camera is placed upon a cart in
order to follow a specific moving
object, usually vehicles.

Crane shot The crane used for


denoting things from high angles,
being used for such things as
establishing shots & birds eye
views.

Pan this camera movement ids


used in order to follow moving
objects from the side, as opposed
to from above, in front or behind.
This allows the audience to feel
as if they are in front of the
moving object, with it swiftly
zooming past.

Mis en Scene
Lighting the lighting of a music video
can connote the lyrics the narrative of
the song it is for. For example, the music
video Future Low Life ft. The Weekend
(left) has very low key lighting, signifying
the songs gritty lyrics and dark narrative.
However, the music video for Tinie
Tempah Girls Like ft. Zara Larsson has
very high key lighting, connoting the
upbeat, happy, summery beat of the
song.

Costume much like lighting, the


costume of the artists/characters can
also connote the lyrics/narrative of a
song. Tinie Tempah (right) is denoted in
an unbuttoned shirt and shorts,
connoting the summery vibe and upbeat
rhythm. However The Weekend (far left)
is denoted in all black, further connoting
the dark narrative of the lyrics in which
the artist is singing.

Mis en Scene
Stereotypes Many music videos still
connote specific stereotypes, with the
most commonly represented one being
that men are the superior gender. John
Bergers famous saying: Men act,
women appear is commonly signified,
as is the male gaze. This is due to many
attractive females appearing in music
videos, despite having no vocals or
contribution to the actual song. A good
example of this is Kid Ink ft. Fetty Wap
Promise (bellow).

Location -

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