The document provides research on conventions and expectations for indie band music videos. It examines elements commonly found in indie music videos like a focus on performance over narrative, various camera angles showing the band, and locations often being outside places. The research also looks at specific indie artists and analyzes shots and techniques used in their music videos. Comparison shots are presented from videos by Mumford and Sons, The Strokes, and others. The document concludes the research will help in deciding camera angles and setup for capturing the performance aspects of their own indie band music video.

1. Research
Alice Driver

2. Conventions of
Indie Bands
- Expectations of an Indie Band
- Indie Band Research
- Indie Genre
- Camera Angles
- Styling of Video
- Comparison Shoots
- Theories

3. What you expect to see in a music video:
Audience expectations from music videos are key elements that are the conventions of creating a
good music video. It is important to know and fit the target audience expectations so they can
automatically recognize the genre of music. This is why each genre of music has their own specific
style.
Different genres of music will have different conventions:
Main conventions a
music video should
include:
Conventions
depending on the
Genre
Music Different Settings
Animation
Concept
Choreography
Performance
Cut to the Beat
Lip synching
Narrative
Stars
StarsVarious camera shots
One still shot

4. Narrative/Performance
Indie Expectations
We have chosen to create and performance and Narrative music video. The band we are recording, is a indie
based music video. Most expectations you see in an indie music video is a performance type of video. However we
want to adapt this, and also embed a narrative suggestion. This is because we think it will be a lot more interesting
to watch. Also we can create a narrative based on the lyrics of the song- which will be challenging.
These are all the things that must be in concluded to create a successful video.
Stars connecting
with the audience-
looking into the
camera whilst
performing
Expect to see
all of the stars-
said by
Richard Dyer
Narrative
based on song
lyrics
Seeing the band playing
instruments
Various angled
shots of each
member of the
band
Shots of the
instruments
Narrative doesn‟t always
have to include the
band members
Narrative is often played
in an outside place
-Park
- Streets
The beat of the
music is in time
with the
images- said
by the theorist
Goodwin and
Carlson

5. “The Turning‟s” Interests and Inspirations
The Turning has lots of inspirations, but the main ones they look up to are..:
The Beatles:
The Beatles are the Turnings biggest inspiration, as they are also a 4 piece English
indie rock band who are the most successful band worldwide.
The Rolling Stones:
Another English rock band formed in London 1962.
Jake Bugg:
Jake Bugg is a British Indie/Rock and Indie/Folk musician, singer and songwriter. In
most of his videos he is usually performing. This is so the artist is the main attraction
and wants his fans to just see him. Jake Bugg first released his album in 2012- Two
Fingers.
The Arctic Monkeys:
The arctic monkeys are an English indie rock band formed in the 2002. the band
consists of 4 members; Alex Turner (Lead Vocals), Jamie Cook (Lead Guitar), Nick
O‟Malley (Bass) and Matt Helders (Drums).
They have released 3 albums which have all been successful. Also winning 3 Brit
awards.
The Who:
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. For much of their career they
have been regards as one of the most important British rock acts. Along with The
Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
The Strokes:
Another American indie rock band formed in New York City in 1998.

6. For research I looked into various indie band music videos to see what elements they all have in common. One well
known indie band that I found was Mumford & Sons. This group mainly only involves performance. I've gathered
screen shots of the shots they use to record performance. This ranges from extreme close up shots to extreme long
shots. I picked three of Mumford & Sons songs and collected images from each one.
These two shots are from their song “Hopeless Wander”. This video is
filmed outside which allows their to have more interesting various angled
shots. The shots in this music video are mainly close ups of the
instruments. The instruments are also used for easy transitions of the band
performing.
The song “I Will Wait” is more relevant to our music video because its
inside and it‟s a dark backstage where the band are going to perform.
We will most likely be using some similar angles of the shots Mumford &
Sons have used in this video. The long shot of the whole band performing
is good to use in a music video because it shows the audience the band
as a whole.
Indie Band Research

7. Indie Rock
This genre of music is mainly just about the band performing.
The main singer in the band “The Stroke's” connects to the
audience by looking straight at the camera. This gives an
empowering look as it looks like he is telling the narrative to the
audience. We tried to have a similar impact by when the singer
in The Turning looks straight at the camera. I've seen in my
research that a lot of Indie/Rock bands use this technique
because it can have a great impact of aggression. Which is
why Indie/Rock bands don‟t use the narrative in their music
videos.
Another reason why Indie/Rock bands look straight down at the
camera is to show intimidation to the audience. Gives an effect
of a superior look towards the band. And as rock is meant to
look „hard core‟ this defiantly represents that.
Indie Folk
Indie Folk music videos are usually based again on performance
but sometimes bases their music videos on concept. One band
in particular is “Modest Mouse”. This band involves random
things in their video and doesn‟t have a specific meaning.
Indie Pop
The band “The XX” is a indie pop genre band. In their videos
they tend to focus on performance and concept music videos.
One video in particular which presents only concept is the song
“Islands” this video is a repeated dance movement that 6
people are performing. In the middle of he dancers is the band
singing. However towards the end each person is disappearing.
This video doesn‟t have a narrative or a reason to do this.
Indie Genres

8. Born Ruffians “Needle”. The camera angle used in this shot is a medium close up of
the singer performing at a live concert. For a performance video, you would have
to continuously record the band playing to gather different angle shots and styles.
The Bravery “An Honest Mistake” is another indie/rock band. Their camera angles
are more diverse and they show different angles to present a mood of the genre.
They use low angles to create a mood of the band. This low angle shows that
they are superior from everyone else. In a rock band this is often the case, the
camera try's to give of an aggressive dark mood. So making the band have a
high status gives off this impression.
Indie Band Music Videos- Camera angles and shots
The Foals “My Number” this another Indie/Rock band , their music video contains a
live performance of them in front of hundreds of people. The video also shows what
people are doing during the performance. They would have used multiple cameras
in the audience so there would be various shots of them. This would have been
done by giving some of the audience members a chance to record themselves.
Jake Bugg “Broken” this video is of a casual setting of Jake preforming in a pub. This
video also has a slight narrative. This is about everyone in this video acting very
alone referring to the song name “Broken”

10. Conclusion
In conclusion I've found out in this research that if we want to stick with the
indie band genre of how their music video is set out. We will have to use
various camera angles and shots. This is mainly used in indie bands
because of the performance based video. This is done for the audience
to see the band. In this research I've found that they don‟t use narrative or
concept and there main music video idea is performance.
This research has helped us deicide what sort of angles we are going to
use. Which are: Low angles, high angles, mid shots, long shots, extreme
close ups, worms eye view ect.
From this research we have more of an idea of how we are going to set
up the performance stage and costumes.
However in our production are going to add a performance part of the
video to make the video more exciting and so it fits with the lyrics of the
song.

11. This is a low angle shot of the
drummers foot tapping on the
ground. It is a similar shot from the
band “The Strokes” in their music
video “Reptilla”. This shot is good
because the audience can tell
that this is how the drummer keeps
in time with the music. Having
different types of close up shots of
the band playing instruments
makes the audience find the
music video more interesting,
This is a close up shot of the main
singer. This is effective because a lot
of indie bands show close ups of the
singer so its more personal to the
audience. The audience would
want to see this because one of the
main reasons why people watch
music videos is to see the artist
perform. And so they expect to see
the band individually performing.
Mumford and Sons
The Strokes
This is a medium shot of the guitarist
playing, I like this shot because there
is no distractions around. All the
audience can see is the instrument, I
think this makes the viewer more
connected to the video. This shot is
a popular shot which indie bands
use in their music videos.
Jake Bugg
Comparison between The Turning Shoot and other indie bands

12. Comparison between The Turning Shoot and other indie bands
This is a long shot of the whole
band standing in a line
performing. I like this shot because
its different and the viewers can
see the whole band at the same
level. Another similarity is that the
background isn't too complex.
The background is quite plain so
there is nothing distracting the
band.
The framing of these two shots are
very similar, due to the low angle of
the drummer playing. It‟s a clear shot
and having multiple shots, gives the
viewer a more interest in the video.
The XX
I really like this shot because
it‟s full body shot of the band
playing. I also really liked the
lighting in this shot as its quite
dim but however shows
everyone performing. The
framing of the band is similar
to the band on the right, in
terms of how there
positioning.
The Bravery
Mumford and Sons

13. Theories we have included
Richard Dyer:
Star Theory
The terms “pop performer” and “pop star” have become the same meaning over time. However in terms of
media, they are not the same thing. The study of stars as media texts/components of media texts demands that
the distinction be made between those who are simply known for performing pop music an those who are
known for being a pop stars who have identity or persona which is not restricted solely to their musicianship.
We can relate to this theory in our production. This is due to the performance side of the video, the band
member Louis. He has a low key attitude, and we think this comes off when he is performing in the video.
Andrew Goodwin:
This theory is based on moving images in time with the beat of the music.
At the beginning of our production, we used this clearly. When we see the first part of the footsteps. The music is
in time with the beat as the footsteps touch the ground. This worked really effectively as it kept everything in time
and made it a lot more efficient.
Levi Strauss:
Playing on the conceptthat narratives are arranged around the conflict of Binary Opposites. For example:
- Good vs Evil
- Boy vs Girl
- Peace vs War
-Young vs Old
- Man vs Nature
- Strong vs Weak
Our production can relate to this opposite conflicts, however we have chosen the concept of Dream vs Reality.
This related back to the song lyrics and name “Painful Art Of Dreaming” and so it shows a clear link. The song is
about an individual who bumps into a girl and dreams a perfect life with her, when actually the whole time he
realizes it‟s just a dream and not really reality.

14. Digipak Research
- Front Cover research
- Font Cover Edits
- Digipak Layout research
- Digipak, Poster & Music video links
- Comparison Albums

16. High contrast of
black and white,
this affects the
audience because
we don‟t see their
full faces.
In these 3 album covers of the Beatles, they
all share similar things; they hide their identity
by not showing a clear shot each of their
faces.
We only see half
of the left side of
their faces from
the light.
This album cover they
show color into the photo.
The colors in this stand out,
the blue sky looks
saturated compared to
everything else.
Outside shoot
Studio shoot
Half face, hiding
identity
Smart clothing
Bold lettering, stands out
against the red album

17. Close up shot of member
looking into the camera to
address the audience
Band performing
High contrast of black and
white. We can see the whole
of the band
Casual smart clothing
Audience get the chance
to see photos of the band
during a performance-
more personal
Bold title , doesn‟t
take up too much
of the photograph.
Small titling but stands
out against the white
background

18. I‟ve researched indie genre music bands Digipak/CD covers. Most
of them contains high contrast black and white photographs. I've
found out that a lot of bands hide their identity so it is not shown to
the audience. This gives the impression that indie bands main
important is the music itself and not the image they are portraying.
For my draft Digipak I have experimented with this convention and
have edited a black and white photograph as the CD cover. I've
found out in most bands they have black and white
photographsand so we want to stick with this theme.
The 1975
The Turning
The Strokes Two Door Cinema Club Artic Monkeys
This photograph is going to be the digipak‟s main cover. We chose this photo
because of the framing and the expressions their faces. I liked it because they're all
looking directly at the camera which gives a intimidating look addressing the
audience. Also the photo is not too serious. I‟ve edited this black and white and
changed the contrast of the photo.

19. CD slot
Song Titles
Portrait of someone, who is
not in the band (Hidden
identity). However he looks
directly into the camera
addressing the audience.
The cigarettes; symbolizes
the bands personality or a
clear message of what the
album is about.
- Smoking
- Drugs
- Young stereotypes
Barcode
Information on the
album and the
production
company. This may
include how the
album was made.
Black and white theme colors. Color is
not needed because there is nothing
specific to show which is in color
Production company information is
put in small writing as it is not
important and they do not want it
over powering anything
Band name

20. It doesn‟t use any writing apart from
the artists name, this makes the album
look very simple yet eye catching as it‟s
a bold font being used.
His facial expression gives the
audience a clue about what
his personality is like. He
doesn‟t seem too bothered
which can relate to him as an
artist- he doesn‟t give too
much away.
The artist is not directly
looking into the camera,
this shows he is not giving a
direct address to anyone.
His facial expression may also link
to the songs in the album. Most of
this album is about him being a
young teenager drinking and
smoking.
The colour of this album has only used the
shade sepia, making it look different to other
coloured albums. This contrasts the artist as a
person, as he is a young performer and is using
an old sepia themed colour.

21. The track list is
placed in the
corner of the top
left hand side.
This is not so bold,
as the singer
takes up most of
the cover.
The photo has been taken at a medium low
angle shot. This shows that he's a very dominate
character. he looks down onto the camera. This
shows that this album is mainly just about him
and could be more personal about his life.
The artist is wearing casual
normal clothing just like in his
video . This is done to show
more about his personality- that
he is normal and doesn‟t need
to try so hard.
Record
company logo
Bar code
Website
The background of
this back cover is a
shot from a street.
Which links to the
video that he has
made- most of
them are in a street
Publishing information
and credits
All of the writing and
logos are placed on
the left side of the
album. Whilst the other
side is of a clear
balanced shot of the
street where we see a
distant figure in the
back.
Another main object
that is featured in his
videos, is his guitar.
This links to the his
performance videos,
as he is always
playing.

22. How does the music video and Digipak/Advert link
together?
This video is set on the
street
Jake Bugg “Two
Fingers”
This video shows the
audience Jake playing
guitar throughout the video.
Jake Bugg “Lighting Bolt”
This video links to the album
as it has a black and white
colour scheme
Jake Bugg “What Doesn‟t
Kill You”
In this video Jake Bugg is
playing guitar up against a
brick wall, just like the
album cover that has a
brick wall in the
background.
Jake Bugg “Trouble Town”
These are a few of the music
videos that are apart of Jake
Buggs album. They all share
similar features and all link to
one an other.
Black and White
Brick Wall
Casual clothing
CD Cover
Poster

23. In both the video and
poster, they are
wearing simple and
casual clothing. this
identifies the band by
showing their
personality through this
aspect.
The Brick wall
background shows
another link between
the video, as the
photo of the band is
against a brick wall
too
This photograph was taken
outside which links to our
video slightly because the
narrative part is filmed
outside.
The poster and digipak
includes a clear shot of
each person in the
band, from the video
shoot. Showing there
identity to the audience
How the video links to the Advert and Digipak:
CD Cover
Poster

24. Razorlight
Razorlight are an English indie rock band formed in 2002. From my
research I have came across this band to see certain aspects that
they might have which we can include into our music video.
We can most relate to this band because they have certain
features that we have used for our products.
- Yellow features
- Black and White
Their music single “Golden Touch” links to our digipak as we have
also used a main dominate color- Yellow. We picked the color
yellow because this secondary color stands out the most and looks
better against the black and white.
We were inspired to create a similar color theme to this band
because we liked how their was a vibrant and dominate color
which makes it stand out a lot more. Especially for our digipak- this
was the main product that had to stand out. We have included
similar features of this indie band example, to help make our
digipak fit the indie band criteria.

25. Another main comparison to The Turning‟s digipak, is their main inspiration- The Beatles.
We tried to relate our digipak as much as we would to share a similarity of The Beatles cd covers. Picking
out The Beatles features, we tried to recreate a photo to match each album. All of the digipak‟s share
at least one recognizable similarity to our one.
We didn‟t want to
have a photograph
where the band look
too serious. We liked
the one where it was
natural and fun.
Although this Beatles
cover isn't a humorous
photo, I still think
they're not taking it
too seriously.
Both of these covers
are set out outside
In this photo the staging of
both bands it set out in a
similar way- all standing in
a line
In both of these
covers, they are
dressed similarly
Smart/casual
clothing