This document discusses the codes, conventions, styles, techniques and elements that are commonly used and considered in music videos. It explains that codes create meaning through technical and symbolic signs, while conventions establish genre-specific norms. Common styles are performance, narrative and mixtures of the two. Techniques like camera shots, angles, movements and editing are used to convey different perspectives and fit the visuals with the music. Elements of mise-en-scene like lighting, props, costumes, locations and color are also important for representing the genre and story.

1. Codes and
Conventions of
a music video

2. Codes
Codes are either technical or
symbolic signs that create meaning.
Technical codes are all of the ways
that equipment is used to tell a
story. Symbolic codes show meaning
beyond what you can see – e.g.
facial expressions.
CONVENTIONS
Conventions are the generally
accepted ways of doing/creating
something. Conventions are usually
genre specific.

3. Codes and conventions are used
so that the audience can
recognise certain genres and
establish the differences
between them. The audience
becomes familiar with the
conventions of each genre and it
provides a structure that they
can understand. These codes and
conventions ensure that the
lyrics fit with the video to
make it clear and
understandable.

4. Style
Performance
Performance videos consist of an
artist performing the video and
putting on a ‘show’. Videos in
this style do not consist of
narrative or other scenes and
isn’t a particularly common
style of video as it tends to
get boring. Artists can liven
this up by costume changes,
props and lighting changes.

5. Narrative
Narrative videos follow a story
line. There are two types of
narrative – linear and
fragmented. Linear is where a
story goes in chronological
order and fragmented is where
the story is mixed up and does
not go from beginning to middle
to end.

6. Mixture
There can also be a mixture of
Performance and Narrative. This
is the most common type of style.

7. Camera
The camera can have different
effects in the video by using
angles and movements. Camera
shots can express different
thoughts and feelings and are
used in a variety of ways.

8. Common shots used:
Wide shot: A wide shot is a shot
which places emphasis on the setting
and location as oppose to the
artist. The artist may be in the
shot but is not the focus.
Mid-shot: A mid-shot shows the
artist from head to waist and they
are the focus of the shot.
Medium close up: This shows the
artist from chest to head, them
being the focus.
Close up: A close up shows the

9. Extreme close up: An extreme
close up shows certain features
of an artists face, for example
– eyes, to create emphasis and
show thoughts and feelings.
Over the shoulder: This is
usually used during conversation
so that the audience can follow
it. The camera is behind the
shoulder of the person so they
have the point of view.
Cut in: This shot is used in
music videos to show certain
objects that fit in with the
lyrics. It is similar to an

10. Camera angles commonly used:
Eye angle: This is a common angle as
it shows the view of the ‘real
world’ and shows how we would
usually expect to see it.
High angle: This is a camera angle
from above where the camera is
angled downwards. It has an effect
that makes something seem
unimportant, less powerful, less
significant or submissive.
Low angle: This is being shown from
below pointing upwards which gives
the impression that something is
more powerful or dominant.

11. Birds eye: This angle shows the
perspective from above. It is an
unnatural point of view and can make
the video seem different and
unusual. It enables the viewer to
see things the character cannot.
Slanted: This can give a more
interesting and different view. The
camera is purposely tilted to create
interesting and dramatic effects.

12. Camera movements:
Pan: This is where the camera
scans the scene and moves along.
This is often to follow a moving
object.
Dolly/Tracking: The camera is
mounted on a cart which travels
along tracks. It is a smooth
movement.

13. Editing
Editing is the process that
finalises the music video and
makes everything fit into place.
You can cut scenes out, add
special effects and move things
around. Jump cutting, CGI
effects and parallel editing is
the most common.

14. Sound
Sound consists of two main forms
– diegetic and non-diegetic
sound. Diegetic sound is the
sound already present from
surroundings that make things
feel realistic and non-diegetic
is edited in and is the music
itself.
Parallel sound is where the
music fits the mood of the video

15. Mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene is the lighting,
props, costumes, hair and make-
up, location and colour. Mise-
en-scene is important for
showing the genre and conveying
importance.

16. Lighting: The lighting can be
artificial or natural lighting.
Natural provides a realistic
view of the scene where as
artificial can highlight parts
of the video and draw attention
to specific things.
Strobe lights and flashing
lights are often used in
pop/dance videos to create a
party effect.

17. Props: In music videos, props
are used to illustrate the
narrative and to compliment the
story as well as help to tell
the story. They can help create
entertainment and make the video
more interesting and unique.
They can be used in a fun and
imaginative way to make the
video lively and intriguing to
watch.

18. Costume: Costume is used to
represent characters in a
certain way and bring out their
personality and style. It can
help show the genre of the video
as there are connotations linked
to certain pieces of clothing.
Hair and make up: This is linked
with costume. A characters hair
and make up is done in a certain
way to show their personalities
and emphasise their style and
the genre of the music.

19. Location: The location is
important in a music video as it
sets the scene and can show the
genre and type of artist. There
are also connotations to do with
location, such as a lively party
scene being related to a pop
video. The location is purposely
chosen to relate to the song.

20. Colour: Colour can represent
moods, emotions and feelings and
is very important to signify
certain things. For example – if
a video is dark and gloomy, it
is going to be depressing but if
one is bright and colourful, it
is most likely going to be
lively and fun.