Camera shots, camera movement, editing, and mise-en-scene are key conventions in music videos. Camera shots establish setting and themes through angles like close-ups and long shots. Camera movement introduces new elements through pans and tracks. Editing varies attention and builds tension with transitions and effects. Mise-en-scene includes lighting, costumes, props, color, and sound to further set mood and atmosphere. Genres also have conventions - indie videos focus on raw performance; hip-hop emphasizes opulence, partying and narrative; and pop aims for bright, upbeat promotion of the artist.

1. CONVENTIONS OF MUSIC VIDEOS
 Camera shots: Camera shots are a extremely important in shaping the meaning in a
film – It is the amount of space that is seen in a shot or frame, generally used to
demonstrate different aspects in a film’s setting, characters and themes.
More commonly, in music videos we come across long shots, close-ups, medium
shots and extreme close ups, all used in order to set a type of mood and represent
themes & conventions in the music video.
Example: Close ups are used in order to put emphasis on the on the artists face
generally for promotional reasons.
 Camera movement: Camera movement is the way in which the camera is moved
during filming, made up of pans, dolly track shots, crane shots. Movement is
generally used to introduce new artists, settings and in general make the video that
much more interesting.

2.  Editing: Editing consists of the way in which the video is built and constructed after
filming in terms of transitions, special effects, title screens etc – it is used to shifts
audience attention, cut between shots & locations, vary points of view, build
suspension and tension, imply emotion & create rhythm and pace.
 Mise-en-Scene: the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play.
1. Lighting – Lighting defines the way in which the shot will be seen in terms of how
light either - makes a shot appear dark or light.
- High key lighting: high key lighting, unlike low key lighting reduces any shadows
and creates a well illuminated shot.
-Low key lighting: low contrast lighting style that is used to brighten everything
up within the frame and cut down on shadows

3. 2. Costume – Costume is an appearance property in regards to what they wear;
costume creates the style and image of the character, defining who they are.
3. Props – These are object that are seen throughout the production, making up the
setting and scene.
4. Colour – Colours tend to set the mood of the song through atmosphere for
example: Dark colours = gloomy, moody, perhaps scary?
5. Sound – Sound is the vocals or soundtrack that is played throughout the
production, as well as dialogue.
Diagetic sound: Digetic sound can be either on screen or off screen depending on
whatever its source is within the frame or outside the frame.
Non Diagetic: Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming fromthe a
source outside story space.
MUSIC GENRE CONVENTIONS
 Indie/Rock:
- Tend to be black/white
- The artist/band shown throughout the video (performance based)
- Use of extreme closeups and long shots are popular
- Dark locations
- Fast paced
- Some use of special effect
Examples: Kings of leon, Artic Monkeys etc.
 Hip-Hop/R&B Videos
- Tend to be based on opposite sex
- Setting tends to be party or fancy location
- Emphasises on alcohol & designer brands
- Expensive cars & houses
- Usually has some type of storyline (narrative based)
- Attractive women
Examples: Chris Brown, Tyga, Drake
 Pop Videos
- Bright and colourful
- Very upbeat
- Usually aims at a teenage audience

4. - Focuses on artist
- Uses a range of camera shots from close-ups, long shots, medium shots & extreme
close ups.
Examples: Taylor Swift, Madonna, Britney Spears