Conventions of a mordern Music Video

A music video can be broken up in to four different terms or key individual aspects which the music video will most probably have.

Performance – How the video is acted out and how the characters act.
Lyrical Representation - How the words are put together to help form the narrative and also represent certain characters within the diagesis.
Narrative – Key to a lot of music videos, the narrative is often formed by the lyrical representation.
Lyrical Interpretation – How the words are put together for the viewer to make sense of and understand what the musician was trying to say.

During my year studying Media Studies I have learnt about the several different conventions to different forms of media. Magazines, Film and now Music Videos. Conventions of the video is dependant on the genre of the music but are generally similar. Here are some common Conventions of a modern day music video;

- Music videos usually cut to the beat.
- Abstract which is visual imagery which represents the mood, tone or feel. For example the colour red to indicate love and romance or opposed to anger and blood.
- Graphic matches which means that the movement, shape or colour is continued through to the next shot for example in the first shot their may be the colour blue used then in the second shot there would be an image of the sea to link the two colours together.
- Continuity editing or montage editing- the use of shot reverse or eye line match. Or the use of a variety of imagery shots to create a montage.
- Imagery which means the artist interoperate the lyrics with the action performed.


Specific Features

- There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc)
- There is frequently reference to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
- Music Videos demonstrate genre characteristics (eg stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band)
- There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting.)
- The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style.)
- There is frequently reference to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
- There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc)

Different Genre Conventions

Indie

Basic conventions of Indie music videos,

-Usually shows the band performing at a gig or concert.
-Cuts between shots of the band and other shots.
-Has a separate plotline which unfolds separately from the band performing.
-Close-ups of the band members performing. Also close-ups of their guitars and drums.
-Dark lighting and colours, sometimes completely black and white with no vibrant colours.

Hip Hop/Rap


-Basic conventions of hip hop/rap music videos.
Usually features and focuses on the main artist.
-A party or night club atmosphere.
-Lots of dancing.
-Usually features women who accompany the main artist of the song.
Bright vibrant colours.
-Close-up shots focusing on artist.
-Use of brand names and expensive houses/cars.
-Expensive jewellery and clothing