This is my PowerPoint presentation about the conventions of popular music videos, focusing on the rock genre.

1. Conventions of Music Videos
Meg Thackray-Howard

2. Camera Shots and Movement
 In order to keep music videos interesting a large variety of shot types
and angles is very common however there is a definite focus on close-
ups and wide shots. Close-ups help to reinforce Goodwin’s theory of
the ‘star image’ which is usually the protagonist or main singer.
 Camera movement is often used in a similar way, by tracking the
artist or protagonist throughout the video to emphasise how they are
the focus.
 Another popular shot type is wide shots because location is very
important in music videos. They can help to reinforce narratives or set
the tone of the video.
 In the rock genre, the focus is usually on performance so there will
usually be a lot of shots and close ups of the band performing as well
as camera movement that revolves around them.

3. Mise-en-scene
 The mise-en-scene of any media product is very important, in music videos
the location and costumes are probably the parts that need the most
attention.
 A good location can help to convey the right tone or mood and also help to
reinforce and fit with a narrative if this is an important part of the video.
Different types of locations have different connotations and can therefore
tell the audience a lot about the characters or the theme or feelings of the
video.
 Costume is also very important because this, again, fits with Goodwin’s
ideas about the ‘star image’. The costume helps to represent the star
image correctly and portray them in the intended way to the audience, this
often helps to create a ‘brand’ or sense of iconography.
 In the rock genre, the emphasis is usually on performance so a lot about
the band can be conveyed through their costume and props. Important
props therefore obviously include the band equipment such as drums,
guitars and microphones. The video can also be made more interesting by
having them perform in unusual locations.

4. Editing
 Due to the high frequency of shots that appear in music videos, the
most popular type of transition is a basic jump cut in order to keep it
simple and not confuse the audience or draw the attention away from
the action. This can be made to look really effective, by sometimes
cutting in time to the beat of the song in order to create a
relationship between the music and the visuals.
 Music videos in the rock genre generally have fewer cuts or transitions
because the shots are usually longer ones of the band members
performing. Shots involving lip-syncing are usually longer too in order
to include enough lyrics. The way the band performs is usually what
will keep the audience interested, rather than quick cuts or
complicated editing.

5. Lighting, Sound and Colour
 The lighting in any music video can greatly affect the mood or tone
that is conveyed to the audience. Bright, well-lit music videos are
usually more upbeat and have a more positive, uplifting feeling while
music videos with darker themes will usually portray this using
lighting.
 Colour is also really crucial in music videos because all colour have
different connotations that can be interpreted by the audience to
convey a message or mood.
 In many music videos from the rock genre, black and white effects are
used to match the often sombre or seedy tone of the music. Due to
original ‘classic’ rock songs being from time periods such as the 60s or
70s, the colour scheme is usually more faded and muted and this is
often replicated in more modern rock music videos.