1. Forms and conventions of music videos
In music videos code and conventions play a major part. However it is mostly divided into two
different categories. The first category is the symbolic one and the second category is the technical
one. Technical category involves camera techniques, editing, cinematography, lighting and diegetic
and non-diegetic sound. The symbolic category involves meaning of the music video, the messages
that its showing us, and it’s what makes us think deeply into the music video.
There are different styles of music videos some are based on performances of the artist or the band
playing instruments or singing. These are shots are often close ups of the artists. Some are narrative
based, which means they have stories in them, a beginning and an end. Some have variety such as
performance and narrative mixed. Some is just animation and flash, they are often very abstract and
sometimes it doesn’t even relate to the video.
Camera
In music videos camera shots are very important, and there must be a variety of
shots for it to look appealing to the audience otherwise it would just look very
boring and less attractive. Close ups (CU) are mostly familiar with performance
based music videos. Low angles and high angles are used very rarely but has a
great effect. Panning and tilting is also used, however these camera movements has to be smooth or
it will ruin the video. Crane shots are mostly used in high budget music videos, it creates a flying look
that allows the camera to move around more freely. Tracking is used mostly in shots where the
perform is walking or running and this also has to be very smooth in order to work good. These are
all the key shots to a music video and they play an important part.
Editing an Sound
Even the worst video can be fixed with good editing, editing is by far the most
important device in music videos along with sound. If both are coordinated well
then the final piece will be amazing. There isn’t any type of editing as, editors
like to experiment most of the times. The footage is edited so that it matches
the sound and the cuts are usually made on the beats. Some editors prefers to
have the sound wave underneath the footage while editing to make it easier to
decide on the cuts. CGI is used to create special effects and it decreases the work
load of filming. ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS, is an example of a special effect software
along with Cinema 4D and Blender.