3. Codes and conventions: Mise en scene
• Typically rock music is produced by a rock band with usually four or more members
in the band. Often rock artists/ band members will wear black, be covered in tattoos
and have piercings and wear make up (e.g. eyeliner) especially during performances.
• A rock music video uses low-key lighting as they normally try to create a dark
atmosphere/theme for the video so it matches the mood of the song. An example of
this is the music video for Hosiers Take Me To Church which uses low-key lighting as
well as a black and white effect throughout the video in order to keep in tone with
the mood that the song creates. However high-key lighting will be used on occasions
e.g. the use of a spotlight to emphasis the performance of the band/artist.
• A lot of rock music videos are set in places like outdoor areas and cities. Normally
the setting for the video will be kept simple and filmed in a secluded area so that the
video can be focused more on the performance aspect instead of what's going on in
the background.
4. Codes and conventions: Sound
• Some rock music videos are simply about the group playing/singing but
• More often rock music videos have a storyline to them. During the video diegetic
sound may be used in the form of soundscape in order to emphasize in the
performance aspect for the music video. An example of this is at the start of Guns N’
Roses music video for November Rain where the sound effect of raining is used along
with the visual in order to establish the setting and set the mood/tone of the song
that follows.
5. Codes and conventions: Editing
• Editing can be used in different ways depending on the tempo and mood of the song. Any rock music video will
use cuts in order to go from one scene to the next. This make sure that the artist is seen in different scenarios and
for the video to tell a story. Also the different cuts are normally put into a sequence to establish a montage. If the
tempo of the song is slower and less upbeat the video will use less rapid editing and take a softer approach. An
example of this at the beginning Mumford and Sons video for Believe. The editing technique match out is used to
give a smooth transition from one shot to the next.
• When the tempo of the song is fast and upbeat normally rapid editing or jump cuts will be used so that the pace
of the editing in the video will correspond with the pace of the music. This is shown in the end of the same video
where the tempo of the song increases, using short cuts and fast editing to make sure that the visual of the video
matches the pace, tempo and excitement of the song.
6. Codes and conventions: Narrative structure
• In a lot of rock songs the narrative is normally about telling a story relevant to the lyrics/music. In many cases the
bands artists are featured in their video. The narrative of the song/lyrics corresponds with the way the music
video is made.
• Generally if the narrative of the song is sad then the music video would have more of a storyline. Again taking
Hoziers song Take Me To Church, the song is quite sad the narrative is shown through the form of a short story.
The video is presented like this in order to effectively show the meaning/message behind the song.
• In some cases the narrative for rock music videos will feature the band performing live. There is more chance of
this happening if the song is upbeat as the thrill of a live performance would keep in tone with the vibe of the
song. Commonly a music video for a rock artist will have both a performance from the band and a story to it. An
example of this is Guns N’ roses video for November rain, which features a live performance and a story of
someone getting married.
7. Codes and conventions: Cinematography
• Usually if the artists for the music video are doing a performance in the video then close up, extreme close up
and wide shots will be used to in order to influence the way the audience views the performance, as the close
ups will show the artists body languages, facial expressions and emotions as they perform the song.
• Establish shots and aerial shots will be used in order to illustrate the location/setting of the video and may also be
used to foreshadow what the narrative for the video might be. Normally these shots will be used at the beginning
of the music video.
• High angle and low angle shots will be used to emphasis the bands/artists authority in the video as a shot looking
up at them normally illustrates that they are in the position of power over the other people in the video.
• Other techniques like point of view shot, pan and tilt maybe used in the music video to emphasis what the
artist/character is doing, seeing or feeling which can link to the meaning behind the video.
8. Rolling stones
Mise-en-scene
Typical rock band wearing dark clothing, tattoos, piercings and wearing makeup.
High key lighting to emphasise band and low key lighting off stage.
Sound
Simple playing and or singing their hits.
Editing
Short cut to make a montage and fast editing to match the excitement of the song
Narrative
Band performing live.
Cinematography
Wide angle shots for audience views, medium angle shots for band
9. Beatles
Mise-en-scene
Not quite so typical for a rock band, often smarter clothes, no makeup or tattoos a
much cleaner image. More direct lighting on artists.
Sound
Simple playing and singing
Editing
Not so many cuts, slow editing, more fixed and focused on lead singer or cuts back
to whole group.
Narrative
Band performing live
Cinematography
Wide shot of whole group or close ups of whoever is singing or playing
10. Queen
Mise-en-scene
Group often dress up or wear unusual clothes. Not much make up worn but often use props. Often
use bright clothing to emphasise a particular member of the group. Lighting often used to
emphasise the lead singer. Very dark background with just group members highlighted.
Sound
Once again simple singing and playing
Editing
Fast editing matching the pace and speed and excitement of the songs. Jumps about all over the
place. A lot of audience participation edited in.
Narrative
Band performing live
Cinematography
Odd camera angles from high and low angles which come from every angle. Lot of audience brief
shots cut in.
