A powerpoint on common codes and conventions of Rock music videos.

1. Rock songs
Notes from things which stand out.

2. 1990'S – You’re supposed to be my friend . 1
• Common themes – anger, being careless, exaggerated movements
(strutting – largely swaying arms and stomping while walking). But
also, somewhat insecure in a way that they’re not confident in
themselves in front of others
• Frequent cuts from action/narrative to performing/singing.
• Mise en scene – Parties, streets, graffiti. Messy and scruffy, and quite
unique and noticeable outfits, Anakin Skywalker episode III hair.
Maybe makeup to highlight features with darken, such as eyes and
lips.(especially if it is monochrome)

3. Chris Isaak - Wicked game. 2
• Monochrome, cuts into colour.
• Girls being sexualised
• Could do the same with having my whole video in monochrome up
until the point of the fire, which the camera could zoom into and then
pull out with colour, to emphasise the fire, both inside the boy and
the physical fire in front of him.

4. Journey – any way you want it. 3
• Colour grading, exaggerated colours, usually the pinks, blues and
oranges.
• Lots of eye contact with characters/performers.

5. Boston – More than a feeling. 4
• Band logo in video, maybe try and get reference to artist in the video,
(stickers, posters, social media posts) all in the background of a shot.

6. The Cure – Boys don’t cry. 5
• Medium length “messy” hair.

7. The The – This is the day. 6
• Filter to make the video seem older than it is, could possibly have
been recorded on an older camera to get that feel.
• Mix with narrative and performance.
• Once again “messy and big” hair.
• Badly green screened into public places.

8. Cheap Trick – Surrender. 7
• Only live performances but lots of exaggerated facial expressions,
such as eyes bulging, and straining on mouth.
• Very different outfits between the band, one looks like a classic rock
star, one looks like he’s dressed up as a little boy.
• Have my character look different and juxtapose his friend and
other people in the videos.
• Two singers, one main one – could have other characters possibly
mouth lyrics.

9. Faith no more – We care a lot. 8
• Long hair.
• Very bright colours.
• Jumping around and moving arms

10. Beastie Boys – No sleep til Brooklyn. 9
• The colour very important with lighting, green, blue purple.
• Violence.
• Girls being sexual dressed in little, especially with the artists.

11. Spacehog – In the Meantime. 10
• Unstill camera movements, and random shots, which aren't
necessarily conventional.
• Sunglasses.
• Jewellery.
• Very fast cuts.

12. Radiohead – Creep
• Unique lighting, purple, yellow, blue, green.
• Long hair covering face.
• Eye contact with camera.
• Performance.

13. Franz Ferdinand – Take me out
• White background – with designs around them.
• Performance.
• Abstract.

14. Hair examples
The hair should be ”messy” but still
look nice while simultaneously
being a bit all over the place.

15. Common themes to try and include.
• Anger, and carelessness.
• Lots of cuts from performing/singing to narrative. And often fast cuts.
• Jewellery.
• Sunglasses, yellow/orange not black.
• Unique outfit, which stands out from the rest of the crowd.
• Areas to film, have graffiti, such as roads or streets.
• Colour, lighting to have a strong sense of colour, whether it be pink, green blue or orange.
• Try and get band logo in the video somehow, (stickers, posters, social media posts) all in the background of a
shot.
• Could have other characters possibly mouth lyrics – lipsync.
• Girls are often used as an “accessory” or “prop”.
• Eye contact with artists.