2. Music Videos in general
The conventions of general music videos traditionally revolve around bringing the artists target audience a
music video suitable and likable by them. This is done in a number of ways. The audience needs to be able to
interact with the artist. This is done through a number of different camera shots, editing techniques and genres
of music.
Extreme Close-Up
Close-Up
Medium Shot
An Extreme Close-Up shot
usually focuses on showing
one feature of the artists face.
As shown in the picture, these
shots usually revolve around
the eyes or lips. In order to do
this, the artists eyes or lips
need to stand out to the
audience of being bright or
dark. This depends and varies
on the genre of music.
A Close-Up makes the artists
face the main focus point of the
shot. This can show high levels
of different emotions in order
to allow the artist to interact
with the audience and music
video. These shots are mostly
used in music videos to show
power, or sensitive emotions.
A shot of the artist from the
knees to the waist up is known as
a Medium Shot. A Medium Shot
allows the audience to interact
with the surroundings of the
artist which also establishes a
genre of music or the audience
they are attracting. As shown in
this Medium shot, the artists
clothes are shown along with the
bright background allowing the
audience to know its targeted at
a younger audience of the pop
genre.
Long Shot
A Long Shot in music videos
are normally used in all
types of music videos.
However throughout a
music video, they are used
in order to show the
audience the background or
back-up dancers in which
accompany the main artist.
This allows the audience to
develop a rapport with the
audience whilst also clearly
showing the genre of music
through the use of colours.
3. Throughout basic music videos, the shots change by the means of cutting. This allows a quick transition from
one shot to the other letting the music video flow to the music. However these shots and editing techniques
need to correspond with the music. For example, having an up beat, high tempo music video, the cuts and
shots would occur more frequently in opposed to music videos in which are emotional and therefore low
tempo; the music video would normally be shot using a continuous technique of traditional shots. These cuts
would have to be in time with the beats of the music video which therefore allow the music video to yet again
flow and allow the artist to create a successful music video for their target audience. These shots also vary
based on the genre of the music video.
The Pop Genre traditionally bring their
younger audience of 9-17 year olds bright
colours and up-beat music. The main target
audience is girls, which is why the majority of
the lyrics from these music videos focus on
feelings of love, emotions and happiness.
Differing hugely from the Pop genre, rock
focuses on heavy metal music, and usually
portrays dark messages. The target
audience is significantly older than the Pop
genre, focusing around males in their 20s.
However this a smaller audience than
pop, although their music is just as
successful even though its focused outside
of the mainstream.
Classical music varies completely from
the music previously shown. It is
targeted towards n older audience of
45+, and therefore considered to be
targeted towards a niche audience that
moves away from the mainstream. This
music normally shown through the
means of music videos unlike Pop.
4. My chosen genre of music
Based on research, the music I have chosen to revolve my music video around is the Pop genre. I believe that
this genre is hugely successful amongst todays generation, and is representative of me as a young individual.
Through creating a pop music video, I will have to consider the various uses of shots and editing techniques
that I will need in order to make my music video a success. The artist I will use will also have to correspond with
my chosen genre, and the artist will have to be able to establish a relationship with our audience throughout.
