Music videos use various camera techniques, editing styles, mise-en-scene, and conventions to represent the song and artist. Common camera techniques include long shots, close-ups, and mid shots to emphasize the artist, location, and emotions. Close-ups also reflect the lyrics through the artist's mouth movements. Mise-en-scene arranges performers and props to highlight representation, such as isolation or depression. Jump cuts and transitions like fades are prominent editing techniques used to transition between scenes quickly or create different effects. The style of the music video should align with the music to create a cohesive package that reflects the tone, such as bright colors for upbeat songs or darker tones for sadder songs.

1. conventions of music videos

2. camera shots and movement
music videos tend to include many long shots, close-ups and mid
shots. This is to create emphasis on the artist, location and emotions.
Also, close-ups are used not only to show emotion but to reflect the
words of the song with the movement of the lips of the artist/
the movement of the camera is used to follow and trace the artist or
band. camera movements include tilt, pans, tracking and crane shots.

3. mise-en-scene
this refers to the arrangement of performers and props on stage or in a
scene for the production of a music video or any other media text.
mise-en-scene highlights the importance of representation of
something. An example is ‘Mad’ by Neyo. The mise-en-scene involves
him walking down the road alone being in an isolated room. This
reflects the isolation from his lover. Also the props include hats and
dark clothes which represent the download of the song. Similarly, the
lighting is kept very dark as it is black and white – this connotes the
angry and depressed mood.

4. editing
jump cuts is the predominant editing technique used in music videos.
This is because it allows a sudden change from one scene to another.
Similarly transitions such as fade and dissolve are very common in music
videos as they create a different effect to cuts.
eg. music conventions in pop videos
bright and colourful, close ups to show cheerful, upbeat emotions,
extreme close ups show artist personality, aims at teenage audience,
super upbeat tone established

5. 2020 examples..
• to give a current example, ‘Old Town
Road’ by Lil Nas X won ‘best music
video’ at the 2020 Grammys.
gathering a total of 540,000,000
views on YouTube so far. one thing i
noticed in particular about this video,
is that it begins with a storyline.
initially grabbing the viewers attention
and ensures a long viewing duration
as the viewer now has a reason to
stay, to learn more of the story. a few
familiar faces are also shown, to
create a sense of familiarity and
excitement with the audience.
award winning music videos

6. influences of music style
it is crucial that the style of
music aligns with the music
video, to create a polished
“whole package”
if the video is upbeat and
positive, the video will usually
reflect this tone in bright
colours, exciting scenery,
playful graphic designs and a
fast tempo. eg. ‘Meghan
Trainor - All About That Bass’

7. or if the song is sorrow and dull, the video will usually reflect the sad
tone in darker more muted colours, props related to the lyrics and a
gloomy setting eg. ‘Adele - Someone Like You’