MUSIC VIDEOThe Codes

& Conventio

ns of Genre.

*What are codes and conventions?

* The codes and conventions of music videos are the different techniques used to construct the meaning in them.

The reason for codes andConventions…

• Codes and conventions are a firm set of rules.

• Can slowly adapt• Shouldn’t be challenged on too great a level

The reasons for them:1. It allows the audience to become familiar with a certain

genre as they become accustomed to seeing certain things within the music video.

2. It ensures that a certain text works well and fits into its genre.

3. It provides a structure that the audience can understand.4. To ensure the lyrics of the song fit in with the video, of

how we’d expect it to be.

*The Codes and Conventions

*The conventions of a music video vary depending on genre of music. However, the general conventions include:

*The Style

*The Camera

*The Editing Techniques

*The Sound

*Mis en Scene

*Notions of looking

Styles of Music Videos

*Performance

Performance – This is when the music video consists mainly of the artists performing in the video. (For Example, Beyonce – Love on Top http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob7vObnFUJc) in this video it consists of performing as there is no narrative or any other scenes in the video. The costume and lighting is displayed in the performance in a creative way making it more interesting to watch, however, some target audiences would no engage with the song or video if it was solely dedicated to performance.

*Narrative

Narrative- is a music video that follows a story line, this can be divided into two types of narrative: Linear and Fragmented. Linear has a beginning, middle and end and follows that sequence. Frgamented is one that doesn’t. An example of a narrative music video is Jana Kramer – Why Ya Wanna (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho5HV_9_o_E)

*Mixture

Mixture – this is a combination of performance and narrative, by using this technique makes the video more interesting and enjoyable to watch which will engage its specific target audience. An example of this would be Lawson – When She Was Mine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmQRAXJoHg0)

*CameoCameo – this is when a band or artist feature in the narrative but does not perform. An example of this would be Katy Perry – The One That Got Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahha3Cqe_fk )

*Animation

Some music videos have a mixture involving animation that is edited in and some are solely animation, this creates creativity and entertainment to the video. For example Coldplay Hurts Like Heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8KV0mzqTXY )

*Conventions of a music video (Goodwin’s six

points)

• Genre characteristics

• Visuals/lyrics• Visuals/music• Need to sell artist• Intersexuality• Voyeurism

*The CameraThe way the camera is used when filming for a music video is crucial. It can create different effects by the different angles used and the camera movement. In general every music video uses a variety of camera shots, angles and movements to create different techniques to make the music video unique and creative to other music videos.

*Camera Shots*Using Nicole Scherzinger – Try With Me Music Video

Wide Shot

Very Wide Shot

Mid-Shot

Extreme Close-Up

Close-Up

Medium Close-Up Over The Shoulder

*Camera Angles*Using Jessie J’s – Do It Like A Dude

The way the camera is positioned determines the angle of the shot. For Example:

Eye Level – This use of camera angle is a very common view and it shows the subjects as we would expect to see them in real life

High Angle – This shows the subject above as the camera is angled down towards the subject, this sometimes makes them appear less powerful or significant.

Low Angle – the binary opposite to high angle, this shows the subject from below which gives the impression of them being more powerful.

*Camera AnglesBird’s Eye – this angle is showing the subject or scene from directly above. It can be an unnatural point of view which can be used to add dramatic effect or showing different spatial perspective. It can also show the positions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the character may not see.

Mise en scene in different genresMany music videos have certain elements that make them have various vibes to represent the view of the music tribes, such as:

• Hip hop music videos use quite dark colours, simple settings and there are portrayals of women to show their sexuality, which appeals to males. On the other hand, the majority of hip hop music artists are males and so, females are the fans.

• Pop music videos feature the usage of bright colours, flashing lights and creative settings and backdrops. The colours would appeal to mainly younger audiences as many pop artists are young and express themselves through the lyrics of pop music, as well as their costumes that make the musicians look innocent and relatable.

• Rock music videos have dark colours throughout and use simple settings. Many videos contain the use of music equipment such as drums and guitars, which is why many rock musicians do performances in their videos. There is a lot of emotion in the videos through the characters and musicians facial expressions, and normally they do not portray happiness as they relate the lyrics and meaning of the song to the storyline and emotions.

• Jazz music videos contrain bright

lights and are often performance

based on huge stages. Costumes

include suits for the men and

sophisticated dresses for women

as well as classy hairstyles and

bright make-up, with the use of

old fashioned microphones. The

overall view of these videos are

to portray sophistication and

elegance.

• Rnb music videos are similar to hip hop videos as they contain simple settings and many show women dressed in revealing clothes. Also, these videos have an element to portray wealth and power through the use of cars and jewellery due to the costume and setting.

*SoundSound consists of two main forms: diegetic sound which is already present in the film and non-diegetic sound which can be edited in. Sound is absolutely essential in any music video as this is the main reason why people watch and listen to them, to gain a sense of art via different artists. Sound, like footage can be edited to create different effects and variations to the normal vocals that we hear.

Sound Parallel sound is when the music matches the mood of the video. An example would be if the song was slow then the video footage would also be slow to fit with each other. Also, if it was a sad song then the video footage would be sad. Some music videos have diegetic sound, where they include sound from the surroundings often at the beginning of a music video, for instance, birds or police sirens depending on the genre which makes it seem more realistic. However, the music itself is non-diegetic sound.

*Lighting

Lighting is considered part of the mis en scene, the lighting can create different views by the way the scene is lit, it allows the audience to recognize the genre and style of the music video. A bright light draws the viewers attention, but a scene can be lit by using natural lighting from the sun or existing light sources, or by using artifical lights. Strobe lights and coloured lights you would most likeley see in a dance, pop or hip hop music videos, but be very rare in country type music videos. You can see the use of light differ according to the genre in these examples Miley Cyrus – When I Look At You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wxOVn99FTE ) and Agnes – Release Me ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G7eDpMGe1k)

*Mis en SceneMis en scene is clearly exhibited through the use of lighting in the video – Little Mix, - Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOQDsmEqVt8 ) demonstrated by flashing lights and special effects.

*Props

In most music videos sometimes props are used to illustrate the narrative and when linking the lyrics with visuals, props are commonly used. The props in a music video add to the entertainment side, and can be used in a fun imaginative way. One music video that uses props to make the video more entertaining is Lady GaGa ft Beyonce – Telephone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U)

*CostumeThe costume is usually used to represent certain characters in different ways. Different artists also wear different clothes to represent what they are portraying in the music video. An example of this would be Lady Gaga – Bad Romance.

Another music video that displays costume well is int he video ‘When I Was A Youngster by Rizzle Kicks’. Costume can also illustrate the narrative, and can relate to what the song is about. This is shown in the video where the costumes are reflecting the song and have been used to create imaginative, fun videos also adding to the entertainment side.

*Hair and Make-Up

The way an artists hair is, is done for a purpose, it can also show a character’s personality, or be done as a way of attracting the audience. Depending on the target audience. Hair like makeup is really just about style, and fashion and what’s in. It’s important that the appearance of the actor/artist is of good quality as they will be looked at by the audience. Hair and make-up can be displayed in many years for many different reasons. Bold and bright makeup and big hair can be used to show a person is fun and glamorous making the artist stand out.

*LocationThe location, and scene of a music video cannot only show the audience where the artist is but also can decide on the genre, for instance locations like the beach, in a car or at a party would fit into the pop and dance music genre. Due to the happy and lively feel they give. If the music video was filmed in a street, a modern house are typical locations used for grime and hip hop music genre. The location influences the genre, but can be chosen purposely to relate the song.

*Colour

Colours are shown through almost everything in a music video, lighting, costumes, make-up, hair and locations. Colours are used in everyday things and we generally see the use of colours throughout music videos displaying normal day life. Colour can also be interoperated though to represent a feeling or mood or to signify certain things. For instance, some music videos are in black and white showing no colours, this can be a way of showing a time lapse (flashbacks) suggesting something happened in the past. An example of this would be Beyonce – If I Was A Boy, the video shows relationship between two people, the whole video is in black and white, this suggests that the relationship may be on and off. If this was shown in colour the narrative and relationship wouldn’t be as significant .