Generic conventions of the indie rock genre

1. Generic Conventions

2. We have concluded our findings in the form of a presentation. It includes information of the
genre, the codes and connotations of this genre, and how our audience research will effect
our production:
Indie Rock - Genre
Indie rock is a sub-genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and
the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres .
Originally used to describe record labels, the term became associated with the music
they produced and was initially used interchangeably with alternative rock. Indie rock
became a separate movement when Nirvana broke into the mainstream along with
several other bands, taking the "alternative" label with them. Many musicians were
disappointed with the label alternative because it had become so conventional that it
seemed to be an inappropriate name for these small independent bands who has no
desire to be a part of a mainstream movement. These bands slowly began to separate
from the label alternative rock and garner their own place as a small underground
movement more in touch with the roots of its movement.

3. Codes and Conventions
Costume – From our research into the indie music genre we have found that
typically they characters tend to wear very laid back, casual clothing which,
tend to be of dark colours. For example, black skinny jeans, hats and black
suits.
Position in the frame - Typically the lead singer is positioned in the centre and
towards the front , because this is the person the audience will recognise the
most. Most people in the indie rock genre are in bands and are usually shown
performing closely together to promote themselves.

4. Facial Expressions and gestures – Their facials expressions tend to be
minimal, keeping them plain and quite serious at times. You rarely seem them
smiling in their indie rock videos because we don’t associate this with their
genre of music.
Props – The bands instruments are a very important prop as pretty much all
indie rock bands use: guitar, drums, vocalist and bassist because these are
what they use to create the intended sound that they want in their music.
However, not all music videos use these as, some bands tend to stick to
narrative in their music video. A good example of band that do this would be
the Arctic Monkeys who don’t tend to appear in their music videos very often.

5. Camera shots – Close ups of lead singers are very common in indie rock music
videos so we can associate the band with their music and so we can see their
facial expressions.
Setting – The setting tends to be more urban than rural in indie rock music videos.
Backstreets are common settings in their music videos, as this goes with their
sound and intended look.
Editing – Straight cuts are extremely common in the indie rock genre and are used
repeatedly. They do this because it goes with the fast pace of their music and so
gives flow to the video. This could also suggest that their lives are quick paced as
indie bands are known as always being on the road.