The document discusses conventions in music video genres, particularly indie music videos. It analyzes several indie music videos in terms of their props, costumes, editing style, shots, narrative structure and how they relate to the lyrics. Many conventions discussed are common across indie music videos, such as fast editing to match the beat, clear titles, and close-ups of band members. However, some elements analyzed are considered unconventional for the genre, such as black and white footage or costumes and themes more relevant to other genres. The document examines how different elements in the videos do or do not follow typical conventions for indie music videos.

2. The props within the music video
are conventional for the genre as
it is there to tell a narrative.
By looking at the location, the
props and the costume of each
scene, the music video is
relatable back to the film
“Breakfast Club” due to the band
members being in detention
along with the other character
being the supposed head teacher.
Seeing as they have taken the
basic storyline from the film, this
is conventional as this relates
back to the lyrics as the students
“come together” to have a good
time during their detention.
The editing is quite fast paced to
match the beat of the song. This
is conventional throughout all
music videos.
With the editing, there is also a
balance of narrative structure
and performance with the band.
This is conventional with this
genre and is seen in most music
videos within the indie genre.
The camera shots and angles are
varied within the first minute of the
song. The first shot is of a close up
of the lead singer sat in the
passenger seat of a car and says “I
can’t believe I have to be here on a
Saturday” which is a direct quote
from the Breakfast Club.
This conventional as the narrative is
connected with the lyrics.
There are a lot of different shot
types used such as close ups of
each of the band members
performing in the sports hall along
with establishing shots of the
school and them running through.
This is conventional as this is
common within the indie genre.

4. The main props which are used
within the first minute of the
video are the instruments. This is
conventional within the indie
genre.
The narrative of the music video
is that the band are making fun of
popular music and their music
videos by over sexualising the
whole scenario. This is an
uncommon convention as this is
meant to represent a pop video
rather than indie.
The editing of the video ranges
from black and white to bright
colours. This is an uncommon
convention as the music video is
meant to represent a popular
cultured video compare to indie.
The black and white at the
beginning is what the band are
known for as their earlier music
videos are also in black and
white. This is a uncommon
convention as I have researched
that many indie music videos are
all in colour rather than black and
white.
The camera shots range from
close up to long shots, this is a
common convention within the
indie genre as they want the
audience to connect with the
characters and group members
within the video.
The close ups are of the lead
singer looking bored and
miserable, this is relevant to the
meaning of the music video.
After looking at the first minute
of the music video, it shows that
camera angles and shots are
common within the indie genre
as they use a wide range.

6. The location is based in and
outside of a diner. We know this
as the first shot of the music
video s of a diner sign. This would
be a common convention as this
shows that there will be a
narrative within the video.
There are also cups of drinks
around on the tables along with
characters hands placed down
next to them and then start
banging on the table, this is a
common convention as it has
stuck with the tempo of the
music and the theme of the
music video being a “Fantasy.”
The editing is fast paced so it
matches with the tempo of the
music. This is a common
convention of the indie genre as
this is similar in the other videos I
have found out and links with
Vernallis’ theory.
Like the other videos I have
watched, the title of the song is
centre in the screen and this is
conventional within this genre.
There is a clip of a VCR like image
which is relatable back to
memories and fantasy like theme.
This is a common convention of
the indie genre.
The camera shots towards the
beginning are mainly establishing
and showing the different
settings of the music video and
where it is based.
There are also a few mid shots of
the band members, this is
conventional as band and group
members are usually involved
with the videos to their music.
In the first minutes of the music
video, there have been no long
shots of the characters or group
members. This is unconventional
and different for the indie genre.

8. The setting is based within a
crime scene on a beach near a
fairground. This is a conventional
for the indie genre as there is a
strange opening and you don’t
know what may happen next.
The face paint of skulls and the
grunge-look of the women’s
clothing is unconventional as you
usually would not see this within
the indie genre. Compared to the
clothing of the main character
(Who is the lead singer) Is quite
casual and has an American
baseball sweater on. This is
unconventional as the indie genre
is usually seen as British, not
American.
About 5 seconds into the video,
the song title appears in the way
that the band is branded (Triangle
for an ‘A’ and using the letters
within their band name to use
within the song title) This is
conventional for the indie genre
as I have seen this throughout all
of the other videos I have
researched.
The editing is also slow paced
which matched to temps of the
beat of the music. This is
conventional within the indie
genre.
Towards the beginning of the
music video, it mainly shows
different close ups of the lead
singers body such as his foot,
neck and hand whilst there was
light flashes on them. This is
conventional as it will lead onto a
narrative of the video.
The composition of each shot is
more creative than the others I
have looked at compared to
Echosmith’s This one has a wider
range of shots which make the
overall video more interesting.

10. The props and the costume is
meant to help the audience
understand the narrative behind
the music video which is that a
woman is surrounded by a false
sense of happiness due to the
items her family own and it is
tearing her apart.
I can tell that this is the meaning
due to when the chorus starts,
the lighting changes from bright
to dark and her make up is
suddenly smudged. All of these
are common conventions of the
indie genre as they are all linked
in with the narrative.
The editing of the music video shows
the name of the band along with the
title of the song. This is a common
convention as I have seen within
other indie music videos that they all
include a title and/or band name.
Even though that the image of the
band is black and white, this is
actually an uncommon convention to
the indie genre and allows the band to
stand out more.
The text of certain lyrics almost blend
in with the background, this is to carry
on the theme of pretending
something is not too clear. Although,
when it comes to the song title within
the chorus, it has a smashed effect
which is relatable back to the
narrative of the music video.
The camera shots and angles
mainly consist of close ups
and a straight on camera
angle which is to show the
different props the character
uses such as the nail polish
and the necklace. This is a
common convention as this
helps the audience connect
with the character.