Codes and conventions of a music video

1. Codes and conventions of a
music video
• Essentially the codes and conventions of a music video are the different techniques used to construct meaning
in them.
• These techniques can be separated into two different categories, technical and symbolic.
• Music videos contain three main elements that I have already mentioned previously that are, narrative,
performance and abstract.
• Codes and conventions are a set of rules and a manner of carrying things out, these can be subverted or
conformed to.
• Codes and conventions can help attract a certain audience to a music video because they know what to expect
and are familiar with what they are going to see as they have seen it many times before. For example in a pop
music video there will be no profanity and usually revolve around a relationship this gives the audience security
and they know that they will not be surprised by the content and is usually child friendly. It provides a structure
the audience can understand.

2. Lesser styles of a music video
• The main three styles are narrative,
performance and abstract but there are also
other styles that are used within these styles.
• These include a cameo, animation and hybrid.

3. Cameo
• A cameo in a music video is used often with
celebrity's featuring in other artists music videos,
usually actors will play the role but it is not limited
only to actors as many athletes, artists and other
forms of famous people can do a cameo. An example
of this is Deadmau5-proffesional griefers, Gerard way
appears although not being featured in the song and
both artists play a part in the narrative but and don’t
perform at all.

4. Symbolic and technical
• Symbolic meaning is created beyond what is
presented to the audience. Symbolism can be
used in Mise en scene, facial expression and also
many other ways.
• Technical is how equipment and technology are
used together to construct meaning. This can
cover various platforms such as camera, different
angles and shots.
• Editing, style colour animation, pace etc..
• Sound, this can either be diegetic or non diegetic.

5. Camera• Camera Angles are part of the technique codes used to construct meaning in music videos.
• The term camera angle means slightly different things to different people but it always refers to the way a shot is composed. Some people use it to include all camera shot types, others
use it to specifically mean the angle between the camera and the subject. We will concentrate on the literal interpretation of camera angles, that is, the angle of the camera relative to
the subject.
• Eye-Level
• This is the most common view, being the real-world angle that we are all used to. It shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life. It is a fairly neutral shot.
• High Angle
• A high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less
significant or even submissive.
• Low Angle
• This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.
• Bird's Eye
• The scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial
perspective.
• In drama it can be used to show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the characters can't.
• The bird's-eye view is also very useful in sports, documentaries, etc.
• Slanted
• Also known as a Dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect. Famous examples include
Carol Reed's The Third Man, Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and the Batman series.
• Dutch tilts are also popular in MTV-style video production, where unusual angles and lots of camera movement play a big part.