Codes and conventions are the rules and techniques used in music videos to ensure the visuals clearly represent and are understandable in relation to the song lyrics. They can be divided into technical codes, like camera angles and editing, and symbolic codes, which convey meaning through expression. Music video conventions include characters, setting, props, costumes, lighting, sound, and camerawork. These visual elements help set the mood and genre of the song to engage audiences.

1. Codes and conventions
of a music video
By Sandra

2. What are codes and conventions?
 Codes and conventions are rules used to ensures that the
lyrics fit the video in order to make it clear and
understandable.
 It can be divided into two categories, technical and
symbolic.
 Technical codes are the way in which equipments are used
to tell a story in a media text such as camera angle, sound
and editing.
 Symbolic codes are ways of showing meaning through
expressions.
 Music videos focus more on the genre of the song in order
to construct the video.

3. What makes up codes and
conventions in a music video.
 Characters
 Mise en scene
 Theme
 Props
 Sound
 Camera

4. Mise en scene
 Mise en scene is all about the props, make up, costumes
and colour. It plays a massive role in a music videos.
 Props can change the looks of a music video. For example,
Beyonce – Dance For you. The audience can see her in
large diamond earrings which portrays an expensive,
wealthy lifestyle. All of these are conventions of RnB and
Pop.
 Make up is also important as it gives the audience an
impression of the music video. A good example of this is
Lorde. She always have eye liner, lipstick and dark gothic
looks which suggests that her music videos are similar to
50’s music videos.

5. Sound
 Diegetic sounds are used a lot in music
videos. This is because it helps set a scene
at the beginning or end of the video. The
sound is more important because it gives
the genre more meaning and it makes the
audience watch the video again. Diegetic
and Non Diegetic Sound plays a big part in
music videos as most times they matches
the mood of the video.

6. Camera Works
 Camera works have an effects on video by using
angles and movements. This is because camera
shots express different thoughts and feelings.
 A variety of camera shot are used to make a
music video unique in it’s own way.
 For example, close up’s are used to show
emotions and facial expressions. Close up’s of
the artist also attracts the target audience both
male and female.


7. Editing
 This is a final process of a music video that
allows you to cut scenes out and add special
effects.
 Editing make a music video different in order to
meet the expectations of the genre of the song.
 Reflection are mostly used in music videos
depending on the genre of the song to create a
better effects through body movements and
postures.

8. Lighting
 Lighting can either be natural or artificial
depending on the type or location of the
music video. Most RNB music videos uses
high and low key lightning.
 Natural lighting gives a real view of the
scene whereas artificial draws attention or
highlights parts of the video.
 Lights are used in pop or dance videos to
create a party effect.

9. Costume & Make up
 Costumes are used to represent
characters in order to bring out their
personalities and styles.
 A characters hair and make up emphasise
their style and genre of the music.

10. Colours
 Colours are used to represent mood, emotions and feelings
as it signify a lot of things.
 For example, a dark and gloomy music video gives the
audience an impression that the video will be depression.
Whereas a colourful and bright video suggest that it will be
lively and fun.
 Colours are used in music videos to draw viewers closer
into watching the artist.