2. Music videos tend to include lots of close-ups
of the artist, as well as long shots and mid
shots. These are used to emphasise the
artist, location and emotion of the song.
The movement of the camera is used to follow
and trace the artist or band. These include
tilts, pans, tracking and crane shots.

3. Quick cuts are used very often in music videos.
This is to keep the audience interested and
these cuts are usually done to the beat of
the song; therefore making viewing the
music video pleasurable and interesting.

4. The mise-en-scene in a music video sets the ideology of the genre
of music and the type of performer that will feature in the video.
Props are constantly used in music videos, and these tend to reflect
the type of music genre the video is. For example, in HipHop or
R’n’B videos, there tends to be a common use of fast cars, or
some type of technology. Props are also used in order to provide
intertextual references, for example in a lot of Eminem’s
videos, he provides several intertextual references of tv shows
and other celebrities to entertain his audience while they are
enjoying the song.
Product placement can also be used widely in many HipHop or rap
videos, usually it being a brand of phone or car being obviously
pointed out by the camera.
Locations are another aspect of mise-en-scene which can enhance
the quality of the video, or location can be made up using a
green screen. The use of green screen in many music videos
makes the location exciting and more imaginative.
Costume is also very important in music videos and in pop videos
you are likely to see the artist wearing something colourful and
eye-catching, to attract the audience.

5. The narrative of a music video portrays a
‘story’ to the audience. The director brings
together all the props, location and editing
and camera shots to enhance and emphasise
the narrative of the video.
The lyrics are being enhanced by the narrative
and the lyrics help the audience to make
sense of this story.