Conventions of a Music Video

Pop music videos usually are extremely performance based with the artist or the band lip syncing to a pre recorded audio, as well as dancing, portraying a narrative story with reflects the meaning of their video. Pop genre music videos are usually very bright, with the artist wearing trendy up to day with fashion clothes, if it is a sadder song then this may be toned down a little bit. Pop music videos have a reputation for being run and light hearted as their target market are usually young teenage girls therefore appealing to their intrests.

Within the majority of music videos there is a link between the lyrics and the visuals on the screen. By linking the two together it often aids people when remembering the lyrics if they remember the visuals.

‘I whip my hair back and forth’

‘I came in like a wrecking ball’

‘And were gonna let it burn’

The majority of music videos that are produced had some element of love intertwined within the narrative. This is because it is to appeal to their target audience as people feel that they can Identify with the narrative or a certain character.

Camera

For the majority of pop music videos Long Shots, Establishing Shots, Close Ups, Extreme Close Ups and Mid Shots are used. By having a range of different shots it adds to the visual effect of the music video. The music videos may also track the artist for a series of movements following them this could either be for a performance or narrative sequence of the video. Camera angles also add to the overall effect of the video as it is how we view either the performer or a character within the video for example a low angle shot will show power equally a high angle shot will show vulnerability.

Mid Shots

Mid shots are very common in music videos especially in performance scenes. Mid shots are often used instead of a long shot so that the audience can see the facial movements of the artist and how they are interpreting the lyrics that they are singing. Mid Shots are also used for group shots like the one in the top left of Katy Perry in California Girls. Mid shots also allow us to see the majority of the costume and it doesn’t become a long shot until you can see the whole body including the feet.

Close ups

Close ups are used frequently throughout the majority of music videos. The main reason for using a close up it to gain and insight and to view the emotions of the artist face because there is nothing going on in the background to distract our attention. A close up may be used more in a emotional song so show heartbreak, sadness so that we can really connect with the performer. However some artists use close ups purely for the visual effect that it has to the overall look of the video such as lady gaga uses hem for her performance shots.

Long Shots

Longshots are used equally as much as Mid shots and Close ups as it shows the whole artist as well as the location/background of that specific scene. This middle shot of Miley Cyrus in her newest music video Wrecking ball Is an example of the effect that a long shot provides to us the audience. We are able to see the full costumer that she is wearing and that she dragging a sledge hammer across the floor as well as the background that she has destroyed that then links to previous scenes.

Editing

In editing jump cuts are used frequently for the transition from one scene to the next as it is a quick sudden change. However in some music videos fades and dissolves are very common also as they create a different and unique edit and effect to the video. It is also important that the editing fits to the beat of the music this is something that theorist Carol Vernallis suggested. The transition should feel effortless for the audience when it fits to the music because often what is going on, on the screen should be in relation to the lyrics therefore the two should be edited In sync with each other.

Ellie Goulding- Burn

Locations UsedThe main locations for this video was on a run way and in grassy fields. These were the locations that were used throughout the video but by the way that the camera was positioned made it look as if there was a wider range of locations used where in fact it was the same ones just appearing at different angles.Costumes/PropsThere were 2 different types of costume for Ellie. These were the black hoodie and denim shorts that she wears for the majority of the video and then also the cream two piece top and shorts that she wears towards the end of the music video.

Shot TypesMid shot, long shot, low angle, long shot, establishing shot, close ups, tracking shots, high angle.

Performance to narrativeWithin this music video there was a higher proportion rate of performance to narrative, however the narrative was still very strong and did play a major part to the music video.

Justin Timberlake- Mirrors

LocationBedroom, mirrors, club, snooker room, museum. CostumesBlack and white, old fashioned. Shot TypesExtreme close up, close ups, mid shot, two shot, panning, over the shoulder shots. Performance to narrative In this music video there was a higher proportion or narrative to performance which doesn’t fit the traditional conventions of music videos as most of the shots are featured around the performer performing rather than other people in the video taking the attention of of the a artist.

Saturdays- Gentlemen

LocationLocation was very glamorous In the gardens which then fitted with the narrative and costumes, there was also the poker table which was a major part of the video in general.Shot typesTwo shots, long shot, low angles, panning, extreme close ups, establishing shots, mid shots. High angled shots.Performance to narrativeIn this video I believe that there is a greater proportion of performance to narrative. There is very little narrative scenes in comparison to the constant and frequent performance shots that are used throughout the majority of the video.CostumesThere were two different costumes for each of the performers which were the long evening dresses and then in the poker game scenes towards the end it is revealed that infact those are not gentle men they are ladies wearing suites which is there second change of costume