This document discusses the codes and conventions of music videos. It begins by explaining how technical elements like camera angles, shots, sound, and editing are used to convey meaning and genre. It then discusses common conventions like camera work, editing, sound, mise-en-scene, and stereotypes. Different styles of music videos are also outlined like performance, narrative, mixture, and cameo. The importance of codes and conventions for structuring videos and enhancing lyrics is also covered.

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Technical Techniques – How meaning is conveyed using
technical equipment for example how the camera angles
and shots are used with diegetic or non diegetic sound and
editing techniques to portray the genre and meaning.
Symbolic techniques – Symbolic techniques are ways in
which one can show the meaning beyond what one can
see in front of them. For example using facial expressions and
mise en scene to present emotions.

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• The codes and conventions of a music video are
able to differ depending on the genre of the
music video yet there also being conventions in
general which all music videos typically follow.
• These general conventions include:
- Camera
- Editing
- Sound
- Mise En Scene
- Style
- Notions of Looking (Stereotypes)

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• Codes and Conventions are useful for music videos due
to one being able to familiarise themselves with a
particular genre as they will be able to understand
and recognise the conventions that are specific to
the genre itself or music videos in general.
• Codes and Conventions provide music videos with a
structure and therefore enabling the audience to
understand the music videos meaning and message
a lot more simply.
• The conventions allow the lyrics meanings to be
enhanced through the camera shots, mise en scene
and editing to allow the music video to be successful
and portray its message and meanings clearly and
effectively.

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When considering a music video there are many styles which can be
used during a music video. These include;
- Performance,
- Narrative
- Mixture
- Cameo
Performance
A music video can be considered to have a performance style when
the music video mainly consists of the artist performing the song within
the video. An example when considering performance style within my
chosen genre of Soft rock is ‘Passenger – Let her go’. This is due to the
video continuously showing shots of the artist performing, having no
narrative to the video. It can be argued that this style of music video is
not the most common due to arguably becoming uninteresting
quickly for audiences as they are unable to engage quickly with the
lyrics and meanings. When relating this style of music video to a genre
it can be said that this style is mostly seen within rock songs.

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Narrative
A music video that is classed as narrative follows a story line that
relates to the song yet there are differing way in which the story
can be told, having two types; Linear and Fragmented.
Linear narratives begin at the beginning of the story and goes
through in chronological order through the middle and then
finally ending with the end of the narrative. In contrast to this the
fragmented narrative is one that does not go through the story in
order of sequence yet is still able to tell a story through shots that
time jump etc.
When considering an example for a linear narrative is ‘Katy Perry
– Thinking of you’. This is due to telling a story from start to end in
order and allowing the audience to relate to the song lyrics and
story line and relate it to ones own life or a similar emotion they
are able to relate to.

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Mixture
Mixture is a term for when the styles of performance and narrative
are both used together within a music video. The style of mixture can
be argued as the most common within music videos due to
catching an audiences attention quickly and using a wider range of
shots which portray strong emotions and a story which is easy for the
audience to relate to. This style is used through many genre of music
when making music videos and are able to engage viewers and
portray the meanings of the lyrics.
A clear example of mixture is ‘Kelly Clarkson – Since you’ve been
gone’ allowing the audience to watch the artist herself perform the
song and create a relationship with the artist being a fan.
Furthermore being able to relate to the story line and characters
and so allowing one to relate the emotions and lyrics to a personal
situation creating personal identities as well as group through all
those that like the artist and song.

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Cameo
The style of cameo is used to describe a music video that
features the artist but as a character within the narrative
and does not perform the song within the music video.
An example of this is ‘Drake and Rhianna – What’s my
name’ as both artists are featured as characters within the
video yet do not perform their song. This style of music
video is considered the least popular when making a music
video yet when done successfully allows the audience to
create a personal relationship with the artist and
understand their emotions as well relate the lyrics to their
own lives. This meaning when considering the uses and
gratifications theory all four points are met.

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• The camera angles and shots within a music video
are essential in making the video successful and
emphasise the lyrics and emotions to the
audience. Music videos use a wide variety of
shots and angles to create different effects no
matter what style has been chosen.
• Music videos use a range of shots and movements
to capture what is happening with the scene as
well as create various emotions that the
audience are able to relate to. The constant
changing of the camera shot allows the music
video to be deemed as interesting and engaging
for the viewer and so will be successful.

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The camera angles which can be seen within a music
video include;
Wide shot – this shot focuses mainly on the location
the video is being shot in, with some cases having the
artist or character visible in the distance or edge of
the frame.
Mid Shot – Mid shots capture the top half of the body
typically being used when artists are singing into the
camera and so enabling the audience to capture
their facial/body expressions, location and relate to
the lyrics through the artist singing them.

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• Close up – The close up shot shows the singers face
to be centre frame and main focus in shot. The
face is the main attraction and so the audience
is unable to see the surroundings. This shot is used
to capture facial expressions or during important
lyrics which will allow the audiences to engage
with them.
These are a few basic camera angles which are seen
in music videos.
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