Conventions of music videos - A2 Media

2. The original purpose of the music
video is to advertise the Artist’s
specified song in order to boost its
sales as well as the artist’s
reputation.
The music video provides a
different source of musical
entertainment through the use of
visuals and at times is also used to
reinforce the outrageous and
sometimes flamboyant image of
the artist. For example Lady Gaga.

3. It is not known when music videos were first introduced
into the world; however there is reference to many of its
earliest forms. The illustrated song technique was first
utilised in 1864 for the song ‘The little lost child’, where 15-
16 images were hand painted onto glass and then
projected onto screens in theatres and played.
As the years went on the Soundies and Talkies
influenced musical films leading to the songs within
the movies being used as movie clips in themselves.
For example the song ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best
friend’ became a hit and as well as advertising
the actress involved (Marilyn Monroe and Jane
Russel.

4. Most music videos have similar conventions to one
another the only thing that makes them different is the
genre of music they belong to.

5. Camera shots:
Music videos tend to include many
long shots, close ups and mid shots.
This is to create emphasis on the
artist, location and emotions. Also,
close ups are used not only to show
emotions but to reflect the words of
the song.
Camera Movement:
The movement of the camera is used
to follow and trace the artist or band.
Camera movements include tilts, pans
tracking and crane shots.
Mise-en-scene:
This refers to the arrangement of
performers and props on stage or in a
scene for a production of a music video
or any other type of media. Mise-en-scene
involves reflecting the mood of the
song through feature in the video such as
lighting and colours.
Editing:
Jump cuts are mainly used within the editing
of music videos this is because it allows a
sudden change from one scene to another.
Similarly transitions such as fade and dissolve
are very common in music videos as they
create different effect cuts.