Conventions of Music Videos

Camera Shots - Many different shots are used within music videos in order to reflect emotions, establish locations, represent aspects of the video in certain ways and most importantly for the audience, to receive voyeuristic pleasure from seeing the artist perform. This part in particular is usually created by the use of close ups and medium close ups therefore giving the audience a good view of the artist.

Camera Movement - The movement of the camera is used to follow the artist while they are performing. Providing the music video with a range of angles, tilts, zooming in and out and tracking.

Mise en Scene - This can be seen as the arrangement of props, locations and performers. It is important when trying to represent something or present an idea to the audience that is portrayed in the lyrics. For example, in the video 'Nothing' by The Script if the artist was just plainly walking down the street, there was no alcohol, no friends etc. included in the video, then the video would not be acting out the narrative and in turn not following the typical conventions of a music video. In addition, the way our actor in the music video we are going to produce looks scruffy, rough and drunk creates ideas that he is obviously in bad state.

Editing - Within music videos, if the narrative is being acted out, continuity of time and space is usually kept. However, in a lot of music videos, again using the example of 'Nothing' by The Script, continuity is not kept. The artist goes from been laid on the floor soaking wet after nearly drowning, to walking down the street singing and back to been laid on the floor. This occurs a lot as most music videos involve an act out of the narrative and a performance of the song.

Jump cuts are the most popular cut used in music videos allowing a sudden cut from one scene to another. For example, 'The Scientist' by Coldplay use a cut from a scene on the railway tracks to an extreme long shot of a forest/countryside. Music videos also use fade transitions in order for the video to run smoothly parallel with the style of song.

Colours - The colours that are used in music videos usually reflect the style of song or genre. For example, an indie song may be edited to black and white to reflect the darker lyrics compared to a pop song which will usually always have the video in colour to reflect the bright, fun and lively feel the song has e.g 'California Girls' by Katy Perry.