codes and convetions in music videos

7/25/2019 Codes and Convetions in MUSIC VIDEOS

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Codes and conventions


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What are codes and conventions

The codes and conventions of music videos are the

different techniques used to construct meanings within

them. These techniques can be divided into two types.

These include:

Technical and Symbolic


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Technical Techniques

Technical How meaning is conveyed using technical

equipment.

This can be shown through the different camera angles in

which are used also the different non diegetic anddiegetic sound in which is denoted can be considered as a

technical technique as well as pace and style of editing


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Symbolic techniques

a Symbolic technique is connotative code and convention

n which shows the deeper meanings of a media product.

!or e"ample: The facial e"pressions# gestures and the mis

en scene


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$ifferent reasons for codes and

conventions in music videos

%& To enable the audience to familiari'es themselves with

a particular genre. (s the constant representations of

the same codes and conventions enable them to relate

to and recogni'e the genre)& t provides a detailed structure to a genre which the

audience can Cleary understand

*& To ensure that the lyrics of the song fit in to the video

to an e"tent in which is understandable to theaudience


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The codes and conventions

There are many codes and conventions for music videos # these include:

The style

The camera

The editing

The mis en scene

Stereotypes

Sound

However the codes and conventions do vary between genres # the ones

listed above are a generic summary of the codes and conventions in which

are always considered


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+erformance+erformance is when the music video consists mainly of the artistsperforming in the video. ,ne e"ample of this is -runo ars/ When

was your man. This music video shows the artist continuously

performing the song. Through the music video there is 'ero narrative

or any form of acting. The video from start to finish consists only of

-runo mars singing his song. This style of music video is not verypopular due to the fact it is purely dedicated to a performance

rather than a story in which the audience can engage with and relate

to. 0arratives are also considered more en1oyable


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0arrative( narrative music video is one in which tells a story. Thereare two types of narrative: 2inear and fragmented. (

linear narrative is one in which has a Start# iddle and

3nd. ( fragmented one does not. (n e"ample of this is

Sigma/ 0obody to love. This song shows a story of two

young women on holiday. This follows the 2inear Structure

as it has a beginning # middle and end.


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i"ture

i"ture music videos are a combination of performance andnarrative. This technique is found in the ma1ority of music

videos as developers usually struggle to only do one. 4sing

both techniques ma5es the video much more en1oyable for

the demographic as it is much more engaging.


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Cameo

Cameo is a music technique where the band or artist are

in the narrative but do not perform. 3d Sheerans

6Thin5ing out loud7 Shows him performing in the narrative

but not actually singing or performing


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Camera

The way the camera is used is very crucial when producing

a music video. t creates many different effects and the

different angles and movements can give the audience

different interpretations.

The different camera techniques are:

Camera shots

Camera (ngles

Camera movements


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Camera shotsusic videos feature many different camera angles throughout to denote different things to theaudience. They are also used to show the audiences all the different things that are happening.

Very wide shot: This where thelocation and setting is the setting

is the focus. (lthough the artist

may be visible somewhere

Wide shot: This is were the artistta5es up a large proportion of the

shot but the bac5ground and

setting is still the focus

Mid shot: This is where the artistis the focus on the screen. They

ta5e up the ma1ority of the space

but the location is still shown


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Medium close up: The shot ishalf between a medium shot and

a close up. This shows the artist

from chest to head.

Close up: This is a shot inwhich shows the artists face.

t can also be used to show the

audience an ob1ect in the

scene

Extreme Close-Up- This showsthe artists face from e"tremely

close. (n e"treme close up

usually focuses on eye or a

mouth with the effect of

connoting how the artist isfeeling


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Over the shoulder shot/ This is a shotcommonly used in narrative based music

videos while the artist is have a

conversation with one of the characterson screen. t is also used to show the

artist loo5ing at something.

Cut-In: This is a shot in which shows

something the lyrics might be saying.!or e"ample: 6 will stab you with a

5nife7 the 5nife will then appear on

the screen. n the shot to the right# the

artist says 68ead my lyrics off of this

paper7 then the paper appeared


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Camera (ngles

The Camera angle is where the camera is position on the screen. t is the angle thecamera is at when it a shot is being recorded.

Eye level- This is angle where thecamera is at eye level with the artist.

This shows the artists how we would all

e"pect to see them in real life. f we

were to have a conversation with them

High ngle- This is a shot in which thecamera is loo5ing down at the artist or

the ob1ect of focus. This sometimes is

used to connote them as being less

dominant or less powerful. However it

can also be used for a different

interpretation


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!ow ngle/ This a shot where theartist or ob1ect is show from below#

sometimes given the demographic

the impression that they are morepowerful.

"irds Eye View- This is a shotloo5ing from directly above. This

type of shot is used to give adramatic effect or gives a different

perspective. t is also used to show

things to characters may not

actually see

#lnted/ This is where the camerais at a slanted angle and is

purposely tilt. This ma5es the video

more engaging and interesting for

the audience


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3diting Techniques


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codes and convetions in music videos

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