Codes and Conventions of music videos

Codes and conventions

Codes and conventions can be classified into certain categories, which are:

Narrative- which is a music video which has a story and theme to it.

Performance- where the band or the artist is playing.Mixture- with a mix of both performance and narrative

qualities.Cameo- Where the band or the artist is featured in the

narrative but doesn’t perform.Animation-where the video contains digital features such as

flash and use of stop frame.

CameraThe shots used need to be considered with care, just like they would with a

film or programme. The shots used can convey messages and emotions.Some of the common shots used include Close ups, long shots and high or

low angle shots.

Close up: when the camera is closely focussing upon a feature e.g., someone's face to convey emotion or an object of significance for the song.

Long shots: when the camera portrays a wide shot which could perhaps show a whole person. This could establish settings or characters which relate to the song.

High angle shots: The camera is featured at a high angle to make what is being seen in the view of the camera appear insignificant or small.

Low angle shots: The camera is at a low angle to make the feature appear tall and dominant.

Another portrayal of camera work is:Crane shots: where the camera hovers over the stage, tracking and the use

of pan or tilts where the camera moves to and from certain performers.

Editing and sound

The videos have been known to use cuts and jump cutting throughout the videos to portray the narrative or the performance. Jump cuts- where the camera cuts from one thing to another.

The editing is usually corresponding with the sound or the song, for example; the lyrics talking about a conversation, so the camera cuts from one person to another to demonstrate the occurrence.

The use of CGI is sometimes evident in certain videos.There can be the use of diegetic sound if those in charge

chose to use it. Finally there can be a change in the levels of sound, perhaps

to emphasise certain sections of the song.

Mise-en-scene

The use of props, colour, setting, costume, lighting and use of facial expressions.

All of these aspects can add to the way in which the video appears and is eventually presented to the audience.

The props: the equipment or instruments maybe and any other additional features.

Setting: where the video is set and how it relates to the song.Lighting: high key or low key can convey emotions and the

mood.Facial expressions: emotive and can relate to the narrative of

the music.Colour: the colour used could reflect upon the age and gender

of the people and occurrences in the song.

Mise-en-scene linking to genres

Colour- certain colours can relate to certain genres of music. This works so that you don’t have to listen to the music to know what genre it belongs to. For example; in the case of pop videos you would be likely to see colours such as pink, purple and baby blue. However, in the case of RN’B you would be very likely to see colours such as dark blues, blacks and possibly even reds. These colours, are of association as well as having the effect of conveying mood and emotions. Pop, giving a more innocent and young persona, while the harsh colours of RN’B are likely to attract an older audience and seem to convey more adult situations.

Lighting- The lighting can differ when it comes to certain music tribes, such as; high key lighting in the case of Pop and Classical music to portray a lighter and more free ambiance which the audience might enjoy. This being one of the reasons for younger children perhaps enjoying the Pop genre especially. In more mature music such as Big Band and RN’B music, darker lighting is used to create a more moody ambiance, therefore, targeting an older audience of people. Specifically in the case of Big Band, the darker colours used can target and portray the message of maturity and sophistication.

Props- Props may include things such as microphones, these are used in many music videos, even the type of microphone used can represent different music tribes, for example; a modern microphone which is most commonly used , may attract perhaps a younger audience , who are more associated with this form of modern technology. However, the portrayal and use of the traditional silver, Jazz microphone, might target an older audience. This form of microphone can be associated with genres such as; Jazz, Big Band and finally a possible association with Classical music. Whereas the other microphones can be associated with most other genres of music. Props can made a large difference in relaying the genre of the music video being featured.

Costume- The outfits worn by the singer or band can relay the music genre of which they belong to. One of the most evident contrasts is of that between Jazz/Big Band music and Pop and RN’B. For example the attire worn for Jazz and Big Band is very sophisticated and traditional, in many cases suits for men and gowns for women, featured in deep and rich colours. Pop and RN’B shows much more modern attire, with a much broader range of colours, perhaps those such as light pinks, to deep blues.