Music VideosCodes and Conventions

What are Codes & Conventions?

It is a way of constructing meaning in media texts. Codes are a system of signs which create meaning while conventions are the manner in which certain aspects are characteristically constructed to portray the genre of the music video.This can be divided into two categories Technical and Symbloic .

Types

Technical Includes equipment and technology are used to construct

meaning with camera angles,shots,Editing paces and styles.

Symbolic It is the meaning created beyond what is obvious to see. It includes the Mise-en-scene which are the

props,costume,location,body language and facial expressions.

Reason?It allows the audience to become familiar with a

certain genre as they become accustomed to seeing certain things within a Music Video.

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

It provides a structure which the audience understands as they have seen it before.

To ensure the lyrics of the song fit in with the video of we’d expect it to be.

It should not be challenegd on too great a level.It helps us anaylze the meaning of a text.

Codes!

The codes of a music video vary from each genre here are some general ones:

The style The cameraThe editing TechniquesThe soundMise-en-sceneNotions of looking

Camera

The way the camera is used when filming for a music video is crucial. It can create the different effects by different angles used and the camera movement.It has a variety of shots depending on style. A lot of close-ups are used usually.

Camera shotsWide shot

Extreme close-upVery wide shot

Close-up

Medium close-upOver the shoulder

Close-ups are shots used to focus on one area , while some emotion is shown.

Camera MovementsPanning

This is usually used to show the enviornment of the charcter .

Tracking shots

This follows charcter movements to bring out a narrative elemt.

Camera Angles

This is eye level ,this use of camera view is a very common view and it shows the subjects as we would expect to see them in real life.

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

This is a low angle a binary opposite to high angle,this shows the subject from below which gives the subject the impression of being more powerful.

The birds eye angle is showing the subject or scene from directly above. It can be an unnatural point of view which can be used to add an dramatic effect . It can also show the position of different characters and objects enabling the viewer to see things the subject itself might not see.

Eye-Level viewLow angle view

Birds eye viewHigh angle view

The mise-en-scene can vary greatly depending on the genre of music and the type of music video. This includes:

Props, the performance equipment and band merchandise

Costume, the certain outfitsLocation,concert halls or venuesFacial expressionsHair&make-upColours

Mise-en-scene

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 The kill-30 Seconds to Mars, which is an alternative Rock Genre thus its props will mostly be of instrument like guitars ,drums etc.

Colours Colours are shown through almost everything in a musicvideo, lighting, costumes,

make-up, hair and locations.Colours are used in everyday things and we generally seethe use of colours throughout music videos displayingnormal day life. Colour can also be interoperated thoughto represent a feeling or mood or to signify certain things.For instance, some music videos are in black and whiteshowing no colours, this can be a way of showing a timelapse (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 therelationship may be on and off. If this was shown in colour the narrative and relationship wouldn’t be as significant .

Location

The 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 andlively 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.Or if the music video was filmed on a stage or a concert performace it signifies the rock genre. The location influences the genre, but can be chosen purposely to relate the song.

Cody simpson-Brown eyes30 seconds to mars-Do or Die

Lil Wayne

Costumes

The costume is usually used torepresent certain characters indifferent ways. Different artists also wear different clothes torepresent what they areportraying in the music video. An example of this would be Coldplay-Paradise.Another music video that displays costume well isin the video ‘When I Was A Youngster by Rizzle Kicks’.Costume can also illustrate the narrative, and can relate to whatthe song is about. This is shown inthe video where the costumes arereflecting the song and have beenused to create imaginative, fun videos also adding to the entertainment side.

Paradise-Coldplay

California Gurl-Katy Perry

Hair & Makeup The way an artists hair is, isdone for a purpose, it can alsoshow a

character’spersonality, or be done as a wayof attracting the audience.Depending on the target audience. Hair like makeup is really just about style, and fashion and what’s in. It’simportant that the appearanceof the actor/artist is of good quality as they will be looked atby the audience. Hair and make-up can be displayed in many years for many different reasons. Dark and black make up can be used for a scary look , with spiky hair which is mostly used in hard rock music videos E.g the band Black veil Brides.

Facial expressions

They show the emotion of the charcters potraying the theme of the music video.

In katy perry’s video as she in a candy world she is excited thus shows that.

In Avril’s video Rock n roll she is suprsied and shocked to find the enemy in the restraunt, thus has that expression.

In Miley’s video Wrecking ball , she shows pain and sadness as the video dipicts that.

Mise-en-scene of different genresRockHip hopPopRnbJazz

Many 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 portrayls of women to show their sexuality which appeals to males. On the other hand majority of hip hop music artists are males and so the females are fans.

• Pop music features the usage of bright colours,flashing lights, creative settings and backdrops.The colours would mainly appeal to younger audiences as many pop artists are young and express themseelves through lyrics of pop music, as well as their costumes making them innocent and relatable.

• Jazz music video contains bright lights and are often performancce 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 are similar to hip hop as they contain simple setting and many show women dressed in revealing clothing.Also these videos have an element to portray wealth and power through the use of cars and jewelery due to the costume and setting.

• 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 rock musicans mostly perform in their music videos.There is alot of emotion through their charcters and facial expressions,and normally do not portray happiness as they relate the lyrics and meaning of the song to the storyline and emotions.

Editing There are many different editing techniques used in music

videos. Music videos usually feature jump cutting. Footage is usually edited to match the music. Split-screens / CGI Choosing to include Diegetic sound. Change in levels of sound. Making link between lyrics and visuals

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 andstyle of the music video. A bright light draws the viewers attention, but a scene canbe lit by using natural lighting from the sun or existing light sources, or by usingartifical lights. Strobe lights and coloured lights you would most likely see in a dance, pop or hip hop music videos, but be very rare in country type music.

Sound 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.

Sound