Download to read offline
More Related Content
Similar to Codes and conventions
Codes and conventions
- 1. THE 1975 Codes and Conventionsof Music Video’s G325 Ellie-Mae Davies
- 2. What are Codesand Conventions? The purpose of codes and conventions are ultimately to use certain techniques in order to construct meaning within the video. There are essentially divided into two segments; technical and symbolic. - Technical is how the meaning is conveyed using technical equipment e.g. the way camera angles are used, different types of shots, sound either diegetic and non-diegetic sound, the pace and style of editing, as well as the genre. - Symbolic techniques are ways of portraying meaning beyond what you can see, for example through facial expressions, gestures, poses and mis en scene.
- 3. Typical Codes andConventions: The style The camera The editing technique The sound – diegetic or non diegetic Mis en Scene – props, lighting, costume, hair and makeup etc. Stereotyping
- 4. Performance Performance is whenthe music video consists mainly of the artist performing in the video, whether it be dancing or singing. One video that carries this through well is ‘Beyonce – Love on Top’ where the video shows the artist continuously performing the song and there is no narrative or storyline to follow. This particular style of video is no the most common, as music videos that are solely dedicated to performance are not the most effective, due to the target audience not being able to engage with the hidden meaning of the song.
- 5. Narrative: The narrative styleis when the music video follows a story line, there is either Linear narrative or Fragmented, when it comes to Linear the story starts from the beginning, goes on through the middle, and finishes at the end – in periodical order. Whereas with a fragmented narrative, it has the ability to involve flashbacks to ultimately distort the storyline.
- 6. The Camera The waythe camera is used is critical when producing any music video. It can involve different effects by different angles as well as movements. In general every music video uses a variety of camera shots, angles and movements to create different techniques to result in a unique music video that differs from the rest on the current market. Wide shot Mid shot Medium close up Extreme close up Over the shoulder shot
- 7. Very wide shot– This is where the artist is shown, however is barely visible but the emphasis is still on placing the artist in the location/setting. Shots Mid Shot - this illustrates the artist from his/her waist to head, and focuses mainly on the subject but still giving an impression of the surroundings.
- 8. Shots Close up –this show portrays the artists face or can show an object that the artist is holding., potentially anything the camera is able to focus closely on. Extreme close up – the artists face extremely close, for example eyes, or mouth to identify something. It can ultimately illustrate to the audience the artists thoughts and feelings or lip syncing which is commonly used in music videos.
- 9. Sound Sound consists oftwo main forms diegetic, which is already present in the film, and non-diegetic which can be edited in. Sound is absolutely essential in any music video as it is the main reason for why people watch and listen to them, to gain a sense of art via different artists. Sound, like footage can be edited to create different effects and variations to the normal vocals we hear. Sound parallel sound is when the music matches the mood of the video. An example would be if the song was slow to go with the mood of the song. Also, if it was a sad song then the video would also be sad. Some music videos have diegetic sound, where they include sound from the surroundings, such as birds that make the video seem more realistic. However the music itself is non-diegetic sound.