Genre and conventions of performance videos

Unit G324.

Learning objectives

To know how genre is relevant to performance music videos

To understand the differences between different genres of music video

To be able to identify the conventions of these genres in video still frames.

Genre

How do music videos use the concept of ‘genre’?

Firstly, what is genre?

What is genre?

A genre has characteristic features that are known to and recognised by audiences because the same formula is used over and over again. These features are repeated, but varied.

Steve Neale, a music video theorist said that GENRE was a system of REPETITION AND VARIATION

Music videos tend to focus on the genre of the song when constructing the video.

Music Genre

What music genres can you come up with?

Music genres

Indie Pop Rock RnB Hip hop Jazz Techno Garage

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What are the conventions of music videos?

What do you examine to determine what kind of genre a music video is in?

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Construction of a performance videos

Music videos are constructed using certain well known mise en scene details, (as well as camera and editing techniques) in order for the audience to identify and recognise the genre.

These are some of the conventions of music videos. (aswell as camera style and editing pace)

Mise en scene elements

Setting Colour Lighting Clothing Props Body language and facial

expressions (including dance routines).

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Conventions

What conventions exist for different genres?

In 5 groups, identify the conventions in three different music videos from still frames of the video.

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Plenary

Go round the room. One boy thinks of genre, the next

has to think of a convention.

Boys to write down conventions of all videos in their books.

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LESSON 2

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How important is mise en scene in portraying the genre of an artist?

Setting – eg. industrial warehouse to create underground feel, sleazy nightclub or bedroom to create sexual allure.

Lighting – Some music videos are black and white which help emphasise a particular mood and some videos have artificial lighting which put the artist/s in an enhanced look. eg. bright, harsh, spot-lit, moody, sombre, subtle.

How important is mise en scene in portraying the genre of an artist?

Colour palette – Colours tend to set the mood of the song through creating an atmosphere.

For example, dark colours are used more in rock songs.

Bright, colourful palettes are seen to be used more in pop videos. Gold, silver and glitter can be used for sex appeal.

Hip hop videos tend to use dominant rich colours.

Conventions: mise en scene:

Clothing – This reflects the genre. Costume is an important factor because viewers are influenced by how celebrities are dressed as they are role models eg. stylish, revealing, sexy, , trendy, risque, high teen fashion, nightclub wear, lingerie, RnB style, hip-hop influenced, grungy, casual, rock-style, lots of denim.

Props - vital in aiding to add to the scene and create significance on particular objects or people

Music Conventions in Hip Hop videos

Locations tends to be a party, club, expensive location

Use of alcohol Recognised brands and clothing Expensive cars and houses Camera shots tend to long and establishing to show

the money involved. Close ups to show the jewellery and assets of the artists.

Attractive women Does not follow a storyline, only follows the genre Artist(s) tend to be involved ***50 Cent – Candy shop *** 50 Cent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qm8PH4

xAss

Music conventions in Indie/Rock:

The artist/band is shown performing throughout the video

Use of extreme close ups and long shots are popular Artists often seen playing their own instruments, so

you realise they are proper musicians Dark colour palette Editing is fast paced Normally in their own clothes, but this can change Some use of special effects Can be mixed with elements of narrative / concept. ***Kings of Leon – Your Sex is on Fire***Kings of Leonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWhairF_DS8

Music Conventions in Pop videos

Bright and colourful Close ups to show the cheerful and upbeat emotions Extreme close ups – these can show the purity and

innocence in the personality of the artists Long shots – can show the artist as one with sexual

appeal Artist often dancing with other dancers Aims at the teenage audience Very upbeat Often a parallel narrative with a simple storyline ****Britney Spears – Piece of Me*** Britney Spears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brYTO6JHMHs

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LESSON 2

The next lesson could be to look at 3 videos and concentrate on camera and editing techniques.

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TASK : compare the mise en scene conventions plus camera shots and editing techniques in these 2 music videos and how they portray genre differently:

Camera Editing Setting Colour Lighting Clothing Props Body language and facial

expressions

Conventions: camera shots

Use long shots, close ups and mid shots.

To create emphasis on the artist, location and emotions.

Close ups are used not only to show emotions but to reflect the words of the song with the movement of the lips of the artist.

Camera Movement

The movement of the camera is used to follow and trace the artist or band.

Camera movements include tilts, pans, tracking and crane shots

Editing

Jump cuts is the predominant editing technique used in music videos. This is because this allows a sudden change from one scene to another. Similarly, transitions such as fade and dissolve are very common in music videos as they create a different effect to cuts.

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TASK

To come up with the concept for a video for a new hip hop artist.

You will be given the genre, you must style the video around the genre conventions - camera, editing and mise en scene.

What will be your ideas for your video?

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Examples: Pop

****Britney Spears – Piece of Me*** Britney Spears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brYTO6JHMHs

Madonna http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWTDR6ztcnQ

Alesha Dixon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-503QA6F08g

Examples: Indie /Rock

***Kings of Leon – Your Sex is on Fire***Kings of Leonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWhairF_DS8 The Fray http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=nY2INQnmRyk Arctic Monkeys http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=30w8DyEJ__0 Mad NeyoMr Brightside the KillersColdplay – every teardrop ios a waterfall

Examples: Hip Hop

***50 Cent – Candy shop *** 50 Cent http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=5qm8PH4xAss T.I. http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=xK082mbeBZ0 T-Pain http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Ui86peQZ74s