1. Conventions of Music Videos
Camera shots:
In a music video it normally includes a variety of long shots, close up and mid shots. This is
to create emphasis on the artist, the locations and emotions involved in the song and music
video. Close ups aren’t always used to show the emotion on the characters face, but the
way the words are sung are reflected through the movement of the artists lips.
Camera movements:
The movement of the camera is used to follow and trace the artist or band. Some types of
camera movements we might include in our music videos includes tilts, pans and crane
shots.
Mise-en-scene:
The mise-en-scene is the use of performers, props, clothing and locations which will all be
used during the production of our music video. Mise-en-scene puts importance on the
representation of something. In Neyo’s music video ‘Mad’ loneliness is represented, and this
is done by him walking down a road alone and being in an isolated room, which reflects him
being isolated from his partner. Also the props and clothing in this music video includes hats
and dark clothes which represents the down mood the music video puts across, which links
to the loneliness of the lyrics used aswell. Also, the lighting is kept very dim and dark and
the music video is in black and white which will obviously reflect quite a lonely and down
mood, which is what is trying to be achieved in this music video.
Editing:
Jump cuts are the main editing technique used in music videos. This is because it allows a
sudden change from one scene to another. Similarly, transitions such as fade to black and
dissolve are very common in music videos as they create a different effects to cuts, because
if you constantly used jump cuts throughout your whole music video it could get a bit
repetitive and boring for the audience.
Other main conventions consistof:
Lighting:
Some music videos are black and white which helps emphasise a particular mood and some
music videos have artificial lighting which can change the way the artist looks to the
audience.
Sound:
For our music video the only sounds are going to be the vocals and the music in the song,
but in some music videos you may hear people talking at the beginning or the end of the
music video which can set/end the scene, making it more interesting for the viewer and
they can therefore understand the meaning/purpose of the music video easier.
Props:
They are vital when it comes to making a great music video, we have including some props
in our music video ideas but not many as we don’t want all of the focus from the audience
being just on the props.

2. Music conventions in Indie/Rock:
 Tends to be black and white
 The artist/band is shown throughout the video
 Use of extreme close ups and long shots
 Dark locations
 Facial features/emotions clearly shown
 Some use of special effects
Examples:
Kind of Leon
The Fray
Arctic Monkeys
Music Conventions in Hip Hop Videos:
 Locations tend to be a party, fancy club location
 Use of alcohol
 Recognised brands and clothing
 Expensive cars and houses
 Camera shots tend to be long and establishing to show the money involved. Close
ups to show the jewellery and assets of the artist
 Attractive woman
 Does not follow a storyline, only follows a genre (disjuncture)
 Artists tend to be involved
Examples:
50 cent
T.I
T-Pain
Music Conventions in Pop videos:
 Bright and colourful
 Close ups to show the cheerful and upbeat emotions
 Extreme close ups – these tend to show the purity and innocence in the personality
of the artists
 Aimed at the teenage audience
 Very upbeat
Examples:
Brittney Spears
Madonna
Alesha Dixon