Codes and conventions in music videos allow audiences to understand and interpret the genre and meaning. Technical codes include camera shots, angles, editing, sound, and lighting which shape the visual story. Symbolic codes like mise-en-scene involving props, locations, costumes, and makeup set the scene. Different genres have distinguishing codes - jazz videos portray elegance through sophisticated costumes and bright lighting while hip hop often uses dark colors and sexuality to appeal to male audiences. Editing precisely syncs visuals to lyrics. Crane and closeup shots focus on performers.

1. Music video
Codes and Conventions

2. What are codes and
conventions?
O Codes are a system of signs
which create meaning.
O Conventions are the habits or
long accepted ways of doing
things through repeated
experiences, audiences become
familiar with these.

3. Purpose of codes and
conventions
O It allows the audience to become familiar
with a certain genre as they become familiar
to see certain things within a music video.
O It ensures that a certain text works well and
fits into genre.
O It provides a structure that the audience can
understand.
O To ensure the lyrics of the song fit in with the
video of how the audience expect it to be.

4. Types
O Technical.
O The way the equipment and technology are used to
construct meaning.
O Camera angles and shots
O Editing
O Sound
O Symbolic
O Meaning created beyond what is obvious to see.
O Mise—en-scene
O Lighting
O Costumes

5. Camera shots and angles
O The way the camera is used when filming for
a music video is crucial.
O It can create different effects by the
different angles used and the camera
movement.
O Every music video uses a variety of camera
shots , angles and movements.

6. Camera shots and angles
O Crane shots
Often used in performance based videos to show the character on
stage or from above. This is because the crane allows the camera to
hover above/around the stage/artist this allows a variety of different
angled shots to take place.
O Pans/tilts
These are often used to move between characters or members of the
band .It is also used to show the location.

7. O Close ups
These are shots that are used to focus on one area of a
person or location often a person’s face or a window.
These often focus on the performer while they are
singing or showing emotion. In narrative they are often
used to show emotion and expression.
O Tracking shots
These shots are mainly used in narrative elements to
follow a characters movements across a location.

8. O High angle shots
This is done by placing the camera above the
artist looking down on the object. Often used
to create a feeling of weakness.
O Low angle shots
When the camera is placed below the artist
looking up at them making a feeling of
strength.

9. Editing
O The editing process in music videos takes a
lot of time and is a crucial part of music
videos. The lip synching definitely needs to
be edited so that the musicians look as
though they are actually singing the song at
the exact same time as the music playing.

10. Common editing techniques
O Jump cut
O Footage which is used to match what is said in the
lyrics of the music .
O Split screens
O CGI effects to show impossible outcomes such a
super hero moves and flying.

11. Sound
O It is very essential as it can add extra effects to the vocals
and instruments through post production.
O In some music videos the sound can be faded or paused
for an artistic effect.
O Diegetic sounds can be used either in the beginning or the
end of the video like traffic or people talking which can
help the authenticity of the music video.

12. Mise-en-scene
O This is an important feature in pre-
production that sets the screen for the genre
of music and the performer.
O It includes
O Props
O Location
O Costumes
O Hair and Makeup
O Lighting

13. Props
O Props enhance the viewing experience by
making the music video seem more
eccentric or small things that are needed to
complete a set to a believable standard.

14. Location
O The location and scene of a music video
cannot only show the audience where the
artist is but can also decide about the
genre.

15. Costumes
O The costume is usually used to represent
certain characters in different ways.
O Different artists also wear different clothes
to represent what they are portraying in the
music video.

16. Hair and makeup
O The way an artist hair is done for a purpose it shows the characters
personality or to attract the audience.
O It is important that the appearance of the actor/artist is of good quality as
they will be viewed by the audience.
O Hair and makeup can be used in many different ways for many different
reasons.
O For example bold and bright makeup with big hair can be used o show a
person is fun loving and glamorous making the artist stand out.

17. Lighting
O Lighting creates different views by the way the scene is lit.
O It allows the audience to recognize the genre and style of the music video.
O A bright light draws the viewers attention.
O Sometimes natural and artificial lights are also used in the music video.

18. Mise-en-scene of different
genres
O JAZZ
O Hip hop
O R&B
O Pop
O Rock

19. Jazz music videos
O Contains bright lights and are often
performance based on huge stages.
O Costumes include suits for men and
sophisticated dresses for women as well as
classy hairstyles and bright makeup.
O The overall view of these videos is to portray
sophistication and elegance.

20. Hip hop music video
O Use quite dark colors , simple settings and
portrayals of women to show their sexuality
which appeals to males
O The majority of hip hop music artists are
males.

21. R&b music videos.
O Similar to hip hop videos as they contain
simple settings and many show women
dressed in revealing clothes.
O These videos have an element to portray
wealth and power through the use of cars
and jewellery due to the costume and
setting.

22. Pop music videos
O Feature the use of bright colors , flashing
lights ,creative settings and backdrops.
O Appeals mainly to the younger audience as
many pop artists are young and express
themselves through the lyrics of pop music
as well as their costumes that make the
musicians look innocent and the audience
can relate themselves with the musicians.

23. Rock music video
O Have dark colors throughout and use simple
settings.
O Many videos contain the use of music
equipment such as drums and guitars.
O There is a lot of emotion in the videos
through the characters and musicians facial
expressions and normally they do not
portray happiness as they relate the lyrics
and meaning of the song to the story line
and emotions.

24. The End