There are several conventions generally used in music videos regarding camera shots, movement, angles, props, costumes, and performances. Visual directors choose shots and camerawork suitable for the genre and song, such as close-ups in slow songs and wide shots for upbeat songs featuring bands. Props and costumes are also carefully selected to fit the artist and genre. Additional conventions include using lip syncing, colors reflective of the genre, and narrative or performance elements paced to the song.

1. GeneralConventions of
a MusicVideo

2. CameraShots,
Movement &
Angles
There are a variety of shots, movement and angles that can be used in a
music video.The visual director will choose what they think will be
suitable for that genre of music, the artist and the song featured within
the music video. For example, in a slow song, close ups and high angle
shots may be used to reflect the pace and sadness within a song as seen
in ‘Birdy-Skinny Love.’ Other areas where close ups may be used is
when there is just one person featured in that video – commonly in
narrative videos where a story is being told throughout.
Whereas, in a fast and upbeat video, there will be a high use of wide
angle shots, especially with band and artist performances as the
director would purposely want to feature all members of that band. It
will also give the audience a good view of the props as most likely there
will be various instruments used.
Commonly, in all genres and styles of videos there will be close up shots
used at the beginning of the video to introduce various ‘characters’ or
artists who are in the video.Also, there will be various important props
shown to the audience, setting the scene and mood for the video.

3. Props and
Costume
No matter what the style or genre a music video is, there will always
be props and costumes in it.The stylists and visual director will
purposely choose what clothes the artist or actor(s) would be
wearing or what guitar they would be playing as they would want it
to fit in with the genre of that song. Sometimes they might choose
something quite simple in order to reflect the character of the artist
of the video such as Ed Sheeran, or they might decide to choose
something completely wacky and quirky for an artist such as Lady
Gaga or Katy Perry who are both known for their extravagant
costumes. Depending on what styling is used - for example is it a
parody – could also be an affecting factor as to what is worn. (An
example of a parody music video is ‘Fancy-IggyAzalea’ where she
puts a modern twist on the film ‘Clueless.’)

4. General
Conventions
 Lip Syncing is used in all music videos
 The colours that are used in a music video can reflect what genre of music that
artist performs, e.g. pop will have bright colours whereas rock will be quite
dark
 In a narrative music video, will be rather suggestive as to what the story being
told in the music video is through a series of events that will make sense to the
audience but is in keeping with the pace of the song and genre of music
 In a band performance, the performance must be authentic and believable.
The director will attempt to do this through close ups of the lead singer
‘singing’ and through the miming of playing instruments such as the guitar or
drums.There will also be the use of various camera movements such as
panning to draw attention to the bands performance.
 In a solo artist performance, the performance must also be authentic, and will
use similar conventions as to those listed above for a band performance.
However, it is common that a dance will be choreographed in which the solo
artist will perform, and commonly will have back up dancers.The director will
try and have a first person mode of address which will help draw the attention
of the viewers through various gestures by the solo artist who is performing in
the video. Sometimes, there will be cutaways between a solo performance
and a narrative so to make it seem more realistic the solo artist will be
featured in the narrative’s story.