codes and conventions in music video

1. CODES, CONVENTIONS AND STYLE IN MUSIC VIDEOS

2. WHAT ARE CODES AND CONVENTIONS
 The codes and conventions of music videos are the different techniques used to construct meaning in
them
 These techniques can be divided into two types: technical and symbolic
 TECHNICAL- How meaning is conveyed using technical equipment eg: camera angles etc
 SYMBOLIC- Symbolic techniques are ways of showing meanings beyond what you can see eg: mis-en-
scene.
WHY MUSIC VIDEOS USE CODES AND CONVENTIONS
 An audience can become familiar to a genre and its conventions
 Provides a structure an audience can understand
 Ensures video fits with the song itself

3. SYMBOLIC- MIS-EN-SCENE
Mis-en-scene is the overall arrangement of performers or props in
videos or any other media text. The Mis-en-scene often represents
meaning and has suggested connotations with each feature. Mood
and tone is often highlighted by this.

4. TECHNICAL- CAMERA MOVEMENT AND SHOT
Music videos often feature multiple types of camera shots: long, mid
and close up. This can be done to create emphasis on location, artist
or prop shown. Furthermore, emotion can also be highlighted
dependent upon what is shown. Camera movement can give a video
a different ‘feel’ – these shots include: Tilts, pans, tracking and crane
shots.

5. TECHNICAL- EDITING
 Editing is a key feature in making a music video as it is down to the
editor to add and make a video have a certain ‘feel’. Fade outs and
fade ins are often used to start and end pieces whereas jump cuts
are used within to create the overall flow. Sudden, jumpy editing
can create disjointed feelings as opposed to smooth.

6. TECHNICAL- OTHER
 Lighting- Lights can enhance a mood in a video for example how dark lighting sets a mysterious tone
 Sound- Vocals to song and how the audience may think the singer ‘feels’ through their voice and lyrics.
 Props- Can add significance to an idea explored in the media piece.
 Colour- Colour is key to a media piece as it also sets the mood. An upbeat mood will likely have bright
colours as opposed to sad where colours may be a lot darker.
 Costume- This goes with the media piece and fits into the ‘genre’ of the video. Costumes are important
as they reflect the ‘image’ of the artist/band. Costume can also play an important part in ‘trend-setting’.

7. TYPES & STYLE OF MUSIC VIDEOS

8. NARRATIVE STYLE
 Narrative based music videos attempt to tell a story that may be suggested by the lyrics or mood of the
song. A narrative can also create an oxymoron to the meaning of the lyrics also.
 Often narrative based videos are found when the song is in a feature film and footage is used for the
music video.
 Narrative videos can include the artist performing but it is mainly focused on the narrative story

9. PERFORMANCE STYLE
 Performance style music videos are only or mainly the artist or band performing their song.
 This style builds the relationship between the star and audience.
 There isn't a main story or concept to the piece – just a focus on an artist and their style.
 Camera shots are usually up close to try and make connection to the audience.

10. CONCEPT BASED
 Concept based music videos are based on a specific concept or theme such as historical, space, retro,
vintage or religious etc.
 Concept based videos intrigue a specific class or target audience according to the idea of the music
video.
 Not as easy to understand as narrative or performance but unusual or interesting content can attract or
intrigue audiences.

11. CAMEO
 Cameo videos feature the artists however they are not performing but rather are acting instead - similar
to a narrative.

12. STYLES OF MUSIC VIDEO
 Animation – cartoon and digitally made videos
 Interpretive – videos which an audience can interpret differently
 Impressionist – abstract features are usually used in impressionist videos so a theme can be expressed
 Intertextuality – Where references to other media pieces are made in the video
 Surrealist – similarly to impressionist videos, surrealist videos uses artificial effects to create dream-like
feel
 Allusion – similarly to intertextuality, the video will give suggestions of other ideas or concepts eg: war
& religion

13. CONVENTIONS IN POP AND INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS
POP
 Upbeat
 Aimed towards Teenage audience
 Shows personality of artist
 Performance style videos
 Bright colours
 Could possibly feature a storyline
 Artist tries to project an ‘image’
INDIE
 Close up shots are contrasted with long shots
 May feature artist/band in either performance or
cameo style – often narrative is used however
 Slow motion
 Dark locations used / dark colour theme