Codes and Coventions of Indie Music Videos

1. Michaela Bobb 8036
Indie Music Video Analysis

2. Indie Music
The word ‘indie’ comes from the word ‘independent’ because this style of
music was originally owned by independent record labels. The term indie
is used to describe genres such as indie rock, indie pop or indie metal.
Most independent music artists do not fall into a single, defined music
style or genre and they usually create music that can be categorized into
other genres. Indie music represents the independence within an
Individual. Uniqueness is embraced through the lyrics and visuals.
Some successful indie artists include Ellie Goulding, Bastille, Birdy,
Florence and the machine and Lana Del Rey.

3. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS
PERFORMANCE/NARRATIVE
It is very common for Indie videos to include the artist doing a live performance. This
focus’ the audience on the main artist and it also gives the artist the opportunity to
show that they’re good at what they’re doing and to show how much they love what
they enjoy. Some indie artists prefer to film their music videos using a narrative or
storyline instead of or along with a performance. This is to help the audience relate to
the lyrics of the song and to help them connect with the visuals in the video. Creating
videos using a narrative style is quite popular among indie artists as it holds the
audience’s attention better.
SETTING
Indie music videos were originally quite low-budget. A lot of indie
videos are set in studios or cities or places with beautiful scenery
such as parks and beaches. Settings are usually kept quite simple
so that the audience is more focused on the artist rather than on
where the artist is.
Florence and the Machine’s
video is set in a studio with a
simple background
Lana Del Rey’s
performance based
music video.

4. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS
CAMERA
It is really important for a indie video to include lots of close up and extreme close up
shots. Close up shots of when the artist is performing helps to convey the artists emotion
and it helps the audience to understand the artists strong passion or ‘rawness’ or
extreme feelings that are portrayed in the lyrics. Close up shots also play a role in
advertising the artist as the audience are more likely to remember the artist’s face if
there are lots of close up shots. Another common camera shot is a crane shot. A camera
that is placed on a crane is used a lot in indie videos because live performances can be
filmed at a lot of different angles that you wouldn’t usually be able to reach just using a
camera.
SOUND
Sound is an important aspect in all music videos. In indie music
videos it is especially important especially if the artist is doing a live
performance. If the music video is filmed using a narrative, there
may be some use of diegetic sounds whenever their isn’t vocals. The
artists vocals need to be amplified so that the audience can really
hear and relate to the lyrics.Close up of Ellie
Goulding Laughing in
her music video.

5. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS
MISE EN SCENE
A lot of indie music videos have a very retro feel to them. This retro look can
be created through the sets, the props and the artists appearance itself. Make
up and costumes can be either really subtle or very extravagant in indie music
videos. This is so that the artist has a very distinctive identity and so that they
stand out and will be remembered to the audience. Some props that are
commonly used in music videos are music instruments such as guitars and
microphones so that they can be used during performances.
EDITING
Many indie music video’s use editing to make the audience feel as if they are
in the music video or to make them connect with their feelings. Very
commonly, more sad songs have a video that includes lots of black and white.
This gives the video a more melancholic feeling and it also gives the video a
more retro edge. Cuts used in indie music videos usually relate a lot to the
song. For example, if the song more more slow and emotional, the cuts will be
slower.
Lana Del Rey in 60’s style
hair/make up and clothing
Ellie Goulding’s video edited
in black and white.

6. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS
MISE EN SCENE
A lot of indie music videos have a very retro feel to them. This retro look can
be created through the sets, the props and the artists appearance itself. Make
up and costumes can be either really subtle or very extravagant in indie music
videos. This is so that the artist has a very distinctive identity and so that they
stand out and will be remembered to the audience. Some props that are
commonly used in music videos are music instruments such as guitars and
microphones so that they can be used during performances.
EDITING
Many indie music video’s use editing to make the audience feel as if they are
in the music video or to make them connect with their feelings. Very
commonly, more sad songs have a video that includes lots of black and white.
This gives the video a more melancholic feeling and it also gives the video a
more retro edge. Cuts used in indie music videos usually relate a lot to the
song. For example, if the song more more slow and emotional, the cuts will be
slower.
Lana Del Rey in 60’s style
hair/make up and clothing
Ellie Goulding’s video edited
in black and white.