There are two main conventions of music videos: technical and symbolic. Technically, videos use camera work, sound, and mise-en-scene to convey meaning. Symbolically, small details like close-ups provide hidden meanings. Videos also use styles like narrative, cameos, live performances, animation, and time lapse. Camera techniques establish shots and close-ups are used, while mise-en-scene includes purposeful props and clothing choices, and editing creates effects and shot transitions that further the video's meaning.

1. Conventions of a music video

2. There are two categories in regards to conventions of a music video there are
technical which is how technology is used to enforce the meaning of the
video this also includes the use of camera, sound and mise en scene.
Symbolic is the hidden meaning to a video through small pieces of detail
such as a close up of a photo this category mainly involves the use of mise
en scene.
Music videos use a variety of styles:
- Narrative
- Cameo
- Live Performance
- Animation/Green screen
- Time Lapse

3. Camera
• The use of establishing shots- which focus on points of detail which serve a
purpose towards the meaning of the video.
• Close up- the camera zooms on areas such as the face of the performer.
• Extreme close ups- a close up on one specific point such as the performer’s
eye or mouth.
• Pans- used to move the artist during a live performance or in a narrative,
used to create an effect in the story line.

4. Mise en scene
• Use of props which play a significant role or for representation in relation to
the meaning of the song.
• The choice of clothing to show the genre of music video for example in a
rock music video the artist would mainly wear black clothing in comparison
to a pop video the artist would wear bright colours.

5. Editing
• To create effects which might not be possible to create through regular
camera use this will make the video more effective in regards to enforcing
the hidden meaning.
• The transition to each shot or scene can be significant for example showing
a memory usually uses a white flash (flashback) followed by the
memory, editing is also used on the footage of the memory adjusting the
style into black and white or a sepia effect.