This document discusses conventions in music videos. It notes that music videos typically follow the structure and length of the song. They also usually include a storyline connected to the lyrics or present the artist simply performing. Camera shots and editing techniques in music videos are similar to those in films, using close-ups, establishing shots, and transitions. Mise-en-scene, lighting, and other visual elements are also used to set the atmosphere and match the mood or meaning of the song.

1. Conventions of Music Videos
Lauren Evans

2. Conventions
• Typically music videos have different conventions depending on what sort of song
it’s for and who it was made by.
• Similarly to movies and film, directors of music videos can determine what sort of
shots and style is done.
• Most music videos last for the length of the song, but some music videos that feel
the need to create more of a story can last for longer (some Lady Gaga songs do
this).
• A convention of a music video is that most of them follow a story that is
connected to the song. For example Ke$ha’s song “Tick Tock”, the video follows
along to the lyrics of the song. In some videos, the lyrics of the song are not
followed and instead are similar to creative short films.
• Performance videos mainly focuses on the artist or band just plainly performing
either on their own or in front of a crowd. There is no storyline, just a collection
of camera angles and movements of the band members.
• Usually songs that follow the lyrics or at least some form of storyline are called
“Narratives”

3. Camera Shots
• Camera shots in music videos often are the same
as they would appear in films; with the camera
shots drawing the same conventions as them.
Music videos use “long shots”, “establishing shots”
and many of the other shots movies tend to use.
• Close up shots are often use to emphasise the
artists lips or face as they sing
• Establishing shots are used to show the
environment used in the video
• Tons of music videos are often set in mainly one
place but use lots of different angles. In “Side to
Side” by Ariana Grande, the main location is
featured throughout most of the video, but tons of
different angles are used.

4. Editing
• Editing techniques vary depending on the artist and video, lots of
videos go for a simplistic approach but there’s plenty of videos that
use a plentiful amount of editing effects. Due to advancement in
technology, most of these effects look better than they would have
done in the 90’s.
• For example, the video for Robbie William’s Candy has a large amount
of editing in it that may not have been possible to do in the 90’s. Such
as he’s hit by a car which would have been digitally done, and the use
of the halo around his head for the whole video
• Fades and transitions are common in music videos and usually signal
the end of a scene or the opening of one

5. Mise-En-Scene
• Mise-En-Scene refers to how actors are placed in music videos and
how they are dressed, as well as the background.
• Music Videos are usually set in very lavish places and usually the
singer or the actor is dressed well – this sometimes changes
depending on the genre and singers. A Ariana Grande music video
isn’t the same as a Coldplay video as they both use Mise-En-Scene
differently, a Ariana Grande video would be quite bright and
energetic, whereas a Coldplay video would be slower and less
expensive looking.

6. Lighting
• Lighting helps to create an atmosphere in almost any piece of film, in
music videos the lighting usually matches the mood of the song, or
the lighting can be deceptive; for example bright and happy lighting
could be used for a song with a sad meaning.
• The lighting can change over the course of the video – “We Found
Love” by Rhianna has dim lighting that can change in certain scenes.