There are 5 main ways that meanings and storylines are portrayed in music videos: performance, narrative, mixture, cameo, and animation. The type of camera angles used depends on the style of the video, and may include crane shots, pans/tilts, close ups, tracking shots, low/high angle shots, and establishing shots. The editing process is crucial and involves matching lip synching to the song, parallel editing to match lyrics, and potential use of split screens, CGI effects, diegetic sound, and changes in music levels. Mise en scene, including props, costumes, and location, is also important in setting the scene for the video.

1. Codes and
Conventions of
Music Videos

2. There are 5 different ways in which meanings and
storylines are portrayed in music videos
Performance - where the band or the music artist is playing the
song throughout the video.
Narrative - where the song involves a narrative and so, the
words and meaning of the song is acted out in some way.
Mixture - Where there is the musician playing as well as a
narrative storyline occurring and the camera cross cuts to each
scene.
Cameo - where the musician features in the narrative but is not
actually part of the storyline and does not perform in it.
Animation - Some music videos have a mixture involving
animation that is edited in, this creates creativity and
entertainment to the video.

3. Depending on what the style of the music video is, depends on the type of camera angles that are
used, such as:
Crane shots - these are used especially when there is a usage of stages and where the musicians
is performing. The crane shots are able to hover around the stage from many different angles to
capture what is happening.
Pans/tilts - these are to move to each performer and can also be used to show the location as it
pans around which is very effective.
Close ups - they focus on the musicians as their mouths move to the lyrics as well as when there
is a narrative and there are close ups on the characters to show their emotions, which suit what
the song is about. There are usually close ups on instruments and certain, significant props.
 Tracking shots – these follow the performer around to give the effect that you are following
them too.
Low angle shots - which are shot from a high location to give the effect of a bird’s eye view.
High angle shots – these are shot from a low location to give the effect of the performer
seeming ‘bigger’ than they actually are.
Establishing shots – these are normally used to set the location, wide angle shots to cover the
whole location
Camera Movements / Cinematography

4. The editing process in music videos takes a lot of time and is a crucial part of music
videos, this is because the shots and need to be selected. 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. Some editing skills would include
jump cutting.
Footage used is edited to match what is said in the lyrics of the music, as part as
parallel editing.
Split screens may be used if there is a specific storyline within the music video, this
enables the audience to see the storyline and the performance.
CGI effects are also used in many music video to show impossible outcomes such as
superhero moves and flying.
Choosing to include diegetic sound-at the beginning and ending of some music videos,
there are scenes without any music to explain what is going on and to start or finish the
narrative.
Changes in the levels of sounds- in certain areas of the song, the music level changes
for effect, narrative reasons or to suit what is going on.
Editing and Sound

5. Mise en scene is important in music videos as it includes:
Props-All music videos contain props depending on the genre and type
of song it is, such as, if it is a performance style video, there would be
performance equipment, instruments, and stages and lighting.
Costume-This also depends on the lyrics of the song as well as the
genre. Certain performers will have different outfits suiting what they are
representing in the video.
Location-The setting for music videos basically sets the scene
immediately and many settings used are simple settings where many
people can relate to.
Mise en Scene

6. Mise en scene is important in music videos as it includes:
Props-All music videos contain props depending on the genre and type
of song it is, such as, if it is a performance style video, there would be
performance equipment, instruments, and stages and lighting.
Costume-This also depends on the lyrics of the song as well as the
genre. Certain performers will have different outfits suiting what they are
representing in the video.
Location-The setting for music videos basically sets the scene
immediately and many settings used are simple settings where many
people can relate to.
Mise en Scene