Codes and conventions of a music video

Codes and conventions

Codes and conventions of a music video is the different techniques used to create a meaning in the song.

There are two types of techniques. One of them are technical techniques, in which is where the meaning of the song is displayed in a more practical way, for example through camera angles, different types of shorts or even just the editing.
The other type of technique is symbolic, which is typically shown through mise-en-scene which includes costumes and lighting. Also can be displayed through facial expressions.

A performance music video, consists of the artist either on a stage or centre of attention within the shots. This is to bring an attraction to the artist and their song, this usually is when there isn't much of a narrative to the song.

On the other hand, you can get songs or music videos which are based on the narrative. These type of music videos are more based around the lyrics. There are two types of narrative music videos, linear and fragmented. Linear narratives leads through all the stages, from beginning to middle to end.A fragmented narrative doesn't have a set order or go in time order like linear, for example it may go backwards in time.

Narratives are easier to express the meaning of the song as the artist cant always portray the meaning correctly when they just sing in front of a screen, it sometimes comes across easier for the audience and viewers watching it to connect with the song and artist far easier with a narrative music video.

However some videos have a mixture of both, they include both performance of the artist with some narrative shown also.

General conventions of music videos -

- Lip syncing by the artist or backing singers

- Colours or lightning reflects the genre

- The camera usually follows the artist

- Low angles

- Tracking shots

- Lots of close ups

- Changes in levels of singing

- Facial expressions

- Lots of outfit changes

Comments

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