Codes and Conventions of music videos

The codes and conventions of music videos are the different techniques used to construct them. These techniques can be divided into two types which are technical and symbolic. Technical techniques show how the meaning is conveyed using technical equipment e.g. the way the camera angles are used, different types of shots used etc. Symbolic techniques are used to show different meanings beyond what you can see e.g. facial expressions, poses etc. Codes and conventions are used so that the audience can become familiar with a type of genre and to show that the lyrics of the song fit with the video.

Camera shots:
Music videos can feature many various types of shots for various reasons such as creating emphasis on the artists, locations and emotions being shown or creating emotions/feelings so that the audience can relate etc. Here are a few examples of where different types of shots can be used:

Mid shot - A mid shot will show the artist from their waist to head and it will mainly focus on them but will still show the location/setting. This kind of shot can also emphasise the costume and the make-up of the artist.

Long shot - A long shot can be used to differ from close up lip synching shots so there is a range of shots used which can keep the audience engaged.

Close up shot - A close up shot can be used to focus on the artist lip synching. This type of shot emphasises on the artist which can make the audience feel closer to the artist and more likely to like the song.


Camera movement:
The camera moves to follow the artist/band or it shows the performance of the artist/band. These movements will usually include panning and tracking. The action being shown in a music video may be shown through a series of cuts, going from one to another, or the action may be followed by the camera so the camera moves with the action.

Editing techniques:
Editing is the final process of making a music video as this takes part after all of the planning and filming for the video. Editing includes cutting scenes down, adding special effects, adding the song to the music video, jump cutting, CGI effects etc.

The image, to the right, shows Katy Perry in her 'E.T' music video. CGI effects have been used to make her look like an Alien and this is because of the lyrics in her song relate to aliens and space. Her video also features CGI shots of space which is a good idea as the video is within context of her lyrics too.

Mise-en-scene:
The mise en scene for a music video is the preparation for the music video which includes the lighting, props, costume, hair and make up, location and colour. These elements contribute towards the chosen genre as, all together, they portray what kind of genre the music video is.

Lighting - can set the mood of the scenes.
Props - performance equipment, band merchandise etc.
Costume - outfit for the artist/people featured in video.
Hair and make up - the style of the artist/people being featured in video,
Location - usually relevant to song/genre.
Colour - specific colours representing different moods.

Typography -

Typography is the use of words/text being displayed on electronic media. It could be used in a music video when the singer sings a certain lyric or word and then that lyric or word appears on screen at the same time. Nowadays it is quite common for some artists to bring out a lyric video for their song as well as a normal music video. I really like the use of typography and this is something I will definitley consider using when coming onto editing my music video.