Codes and conventions of Rock

music videosDan Field and Kyle Saunders

Music Videos - Narrative

Some videos will be based around a story of some sort, these are called narrative videos. The story will usually be based around the lyrics of the song. But even these will commonly feature some performance based footage.

Here are two examples of narrative videos from the rock genre. https://youtu.be/ZKUp2oOEFP8 This narrative video sticks very closely to the lyrics of the song. This

makes the lyrics more apparent to the listener as they can relate between visual and audio.

https://youtu.be/-F7A24f6gNc This second video is slightly less linked between visual and audio.

However there are still links that highlight specific words in the lyrics.

Music Videos – Performance Based

Perhaps the most common type of video of the genre of Rock. Performance based videos are solely made from footage of the band’s performance. Whether it’s a live show, in the studio, or in a random location decided by the band or the producer.

Here are two more examples of performance based music videos: https://youtu.be/Pgum6OT_VH8 This first video shows the band performing on top of an oil tanker in the

middle of the ocean, confirming my theory of isolated feelings. https://youtu.be/Rbm6GXllBiw The second video shows the band performing at a live show. The

majority of the footage is of the band, this makes the viewer focus on the band and their music.

Music Videos – Concept Based

Rarely in the rock genre of music, you will find a concept music video. These are not based on the band’s performance or a narrative story. They just consist of footage of a concept. This could be anything, an issue that the band feels is important, or just something that they think is cool.

Here are two examples of concept based videos: https://youtu.be/obcgU-oLjnA The first video shows a medieval/mythological battle. This could have been

inspired by the name of the song “Cry of Achilles” however is does not link to the lyrics, and does not include any performance footage.

https://youtu.be/EFqjDXy9s5A This second video shows a post apocalyptic concept, just to accompany the

dark style of music. This is the only link between the music and the video, which is why it is concept.

Location

Whether it’s a narrative, concept, or a performance based video. The location of where it is being filmed will have an impact on the overall felling created by the video. They are typically filmed in industrial areas, or other remote places.

Here are two more examples of music videos that have been filmed in this style:

https://youtu.be/rn_YodiJO6k This first video was filmed in a make-believe location. Perhaps to put

emphasis on the strangeness and isolated feelings created by the video. https://youtu.be/9IclmVdWNbI The second video was filmed in a true to life location, this makes the viewer

focus more on the band’s performance, but still maintains the isolated feeling

Misé en Scene

Clothing: the typical clothing in the rock genre will be leather/denim with big boots and chains, and other types of jewelry.

Surroundings: as mentioned before, a common location for a music video to be filmed will be in the middle of nowhere, or in a supposedly hostile environment.

Props: mostly the props in a rock music video will just be the band’s instruments. Sometimes there will be other items in the video, but this really depends on the theme of the video.

All of these will be used in a rock video to create the; big ego, intimidating, sometimes dark characteristics. Here is an example of a stereotypical rock music video:

https://youtu.be/nYSDC3cHoZs