2. Camera Shots & Movements
• Music Videos tend to have a variety of Camera shots
and angles so that the video is interesting to watch for
the audience. Music Videos tend to contain a variation
of Long shot, close up and mid shots, this is so that the
Artist in the Video can be shown in a different angle
(literal and metaphorical). Long shots are typically used
to make sure that the audience understand the
surroundings around the Artist so that it sets the
scene. Close ups are not only used to show the artists
emotions but to emphasize the lyrics that the artist
sings. Camera movements include tilts, pans, tracking
and crane shots.
3. Lighting
• Lighting is normally key to setting the tone of
the video, if an audience member watches a
video which has a lot of vibrant colors, they
will automatically assume that it is a pop type
of video. On the other hand if they watch a
video which is quite dark, they will assume
that the video is of a rock type genre. Lighting
allows audience members to quickly interpret
what type of genre the Music Video is.
4. Mise-En-Scene
This refers to the arrangement of actors and
props which are visible on screen. Mise-En-
Scene can often impact the message of a
video as there will be specific items that are
visible which the audience needs to notice in
order for the point to be valid and successful.
5. Editing
Most music videos use jump cuts as transitions
from one scene to the next and allows for the
pace of the story to be shown as quick and
straight. Similarly transitions such as fade and
dissolve can be used in order to show the pace
of the narrative etc...
6. Costume and Colour
Costume is important as it shows the audience
what genre the video is, this is due to the fact
that the audience who view the video may
dress as the celebrity/ main star in the video
and view them as role models. In terms of
colour, it tends to set the atmosphere of the
song, for example dark colours are used more
in rock songs and bright colours in hip hop and
pop videos.
