Codes And Conventions in Music VideosReuben Biggelaar | Marlon Millwood

StyleThe Style of a music video must be decided before planning can even begin, because it determines the whole direction of the video.

• Performance-The band actually playing the song

• Narrative-the video tells a story which fits in with the lyrics or style of the song

• Conceptual-a combination of the two

Camera ShotsDifferent camera angles and shots are used for different purposes.

• Wide angle-establishes scene, shows location

• Close up-shows actors/musicians emotions

• Cut In-shows detail by ‘zooming’ in on a detail in a shot

Camera AnglesCamera Angles show different levels of power and who has control in a video

• High Angle shows a lack of power or control over the situation, and also a sense of fear.

• Low Angle shows power and control. These two shots are often used in conjunction with each other to show who in a scene is in control

LightingLighting in a music video is used to show very quickly and easily the mood and feel of the video, sometimes to extreme cases. This is because being a fairly short video with generally no dialogue it can be hard to do so with other means.

• Dark lighting could portray dark angry emotions of a character

• Coloured tint sets the scene to be in a certain location or sets a tone either warm or cool.