Typical conventions in a music video

1. Conventions of music videos
• Camera Shots: Long shots, close-ups and extreme close-ups are constantly used.
Close-ups are usually used in music videos as it puts emphasis on the artist or
bands face for promotional reasons and their lips to show the lip-synching.
• Camera movements: Pans, dolly track shots, crane shots and tilts are used to
follow the movements of the singer/band or dancers.
• Editing: Jump cuts are the most commonly used as its purpose is to jump from a
scene of the location to the artist to the instruments and vice-versa. Reaction
shots are used with music videos with narrative as it expresses the relationship
between two or more people. The pace of the editing is always in synch with the
beat of the track.
• Mise-en-scene: Is associated to the inter-textual link of
the music video, therefore it depends on the
representation. For example, a video based on a sixties
film (Madonna – “Matiral Girl” Is based on “Diamonds
are a Girls best friend” from a Marilyn Monroe film
performance) would use iconic staging, characters,
costumes and so on to represent the time. Mise-en-
scene is also reflected through:
1. Lighting: Extreme artificial lighting is the most common type of lighting used
in music videos as it helps to enhance the look of the artist or band through
making them seem ‘ageless’, this is commonly used in
pop music videos. Lighting switches help to indicate a
shift from the chorus to verse and vice-versa. Finally,
lighting also enhances the atmosphere as it can be
used to give a bright and upbeat feel particularly in
dance music videos or a dark and eerie feel which is
used mostly in rock music videos. For example, Cheryl
Cole’s video for “Fight for this love” uses the lighting
to show her flawless complexion.
2. Props: Props are essential in music videos
3. Costume: Reflect the genre of the music and the style
of the artist; therefore costumes are essential
because they compliment the artist. For example,
Lady Gaga has specific clothing to show off her
fashion, this is evident in her “Poker face” video.
4. Colour: colour represents the mood of the song for
example; bright colours are usually used in ‘feel good’
pop songs, a good example is Kylie Minogue’s “In
your eyes” video
5. Sound: usually the sound is the music and vocals;
however some music videos are similar to short films
with acting, therefore in these clips there are various
sounds which can be heard such as diagetic and non-diagetic sounds.

2. Hip-Hop Videos
• Usually includes the artist
• Normally set in a club or a party environment
• Usually no storyline
• Typically women dancers or models. Usually half naked
• Features jewellery, alcohol and sport cars.
• Features mansion and branded clothing.
• Usually other famous artists are featured in the video.
• EXAMPLES;
50 Cent – Candy Shop
B.I.G – Notorious
T-pain – Low
Biggy – Juicy
50 Cent – In the Club
Rock Music Videos
• Usually dark/deep colours
• Displays the band performing on stage
• Usually no narrative
• Eerie/weird videos
• Uneasy camera movements
• Hand-held shots
• Usually no use of special effects
• EXAMPLES;
Rolling Stones
Ozzy Osbourne
Limp Bizkit
Pop Music Videos
• Colourful
• Close up of artists – shows innocence
• Fun and light hearted
• Appeals to younger target audience
• Shows artist/band involved in dance routines
• Good mood – location – happy for example a beach/friends house.
• Teenager scenario ( having a crush )
• Video usually has narrative
• EXAMPLES;
Britney spears
Christina Aguilera
Lady Gaga

3. Indie/Rock Music Videos
• Shows artist or band throughout the video
• Some special effects
• Usually calm setting, but changes when beat kicks in
• May be black and white
• Sometimes has a narrative
• Close up of artists and characters shown in video
• Shows band performing
• EXAMPLES;
Snow Patrol
Jamie T
Kings Of Leon
The Fray
Dance Music Videos
• Dance routines
• Sometimes narrative
• Location – Clubs or party
• Upbeat and fun videos
• Women dancers usually half naked
• Bright colours
• All dancers wearing similar costumes
• EXAMPLES;
Eric Pryds – Call on me
Basshunter – Now Your Gone
Felix the house cat
Bob Sincler
Guru Josh Project - Infinity
R’n’B Music Videos
• Usually a narrative
• Artist/band always shown
• Usually dance routine
• Close up of artists
• Usually set in calm locations such as houses, beaches
• Hardly no performance
• Women usually wear revealing clothing
• Money portrayed positively.
• Alcohol and party scenes
• Use of special effects
• EXAMPLES;
Destiny’s Child – Say My Name
Rihanna – S.O.S