Genre Research

Codes and conventions of a music video

The general conventions:

• The Camera
• The style
• The editing techniques
• Both diegetic and no diegetic sound
• Mis en scene ([props, lighting, costumes, hair, makeup, ect)
• Stereotypes

Technical techniques:

• The way the camera angles are used
• Different types of shot movements
• Diegetic vs non diegetic sound
• The pace and style of  editing
• The genre

Symbolic Techniques:

• Facial expressions
• Gestures
• Poses
• Mis en scene

Reasons for codes and conventions:

• So that the audience can become familiar with a particular genre
• creates a structure audiences can understand
• ensures the lyrics fit in with our expectations of the music

The styles of music videos

 Performance

These type of music videos feature the artist or band doing a live performance of their song in a variety of settings either on their own or in front of a crowd, depending on their choice and style of music. It is known to be a simple and cost effective style for a music production while keeping the overall focus on the band members themselves despite there not being a great amount of creative freedom.

Story/Narrative

The style of which the specific narrative reflects the lyrics of the song through a projected story and if they are produced successfully, can strongly emphasize the lyrics of the song. A narrative style of music can either be linear or fragmented. A linear style follows through with a story from start, middle to finish. However a fragmented story doesn't follow the story through entirely, but still depicts the lyrics of the song.

Special Effects

Adds a more creative layer to the song by using tools such as after effects. Producers are relying more and more on special effects as it helps their music video stand out by creating more excitement and generally keeps the audience more entertained.

Dance

In this style, the artist and other members of the cast will dance in certain settings. This chosen style can take a lot of time on but can help add to the rhythm and show off their productions skills

Animation

Helps the music video look unique while accomplishing certain stunts without the effort of real people and can do things that would be tough to achieve on camera. These can be done digitally or manually depending on the productions choice of style and the look they want.

Browser

Uses new and innovative technology to get their music noticed via using the internet.

Camera Movements:

The way the shots are shown and brought through is a big factor used to determine the style and projection of the music video which is why certain shots are crucial for emphasizing certain scenes or captivating the audiences emotions.  It also helps by bringing through symbolism and reflecting certain key elements of the video. 

Pans: Where a camera scans a scene horizontally, the camera is placed on a tripod, which acts as a stationary axis point as the camera is turned, often to follow a moving object which is kept in the middle of the frame.

Dolly/Tracking: When a camera is mounted on a cart which travels along a track. producing a very smooth movement. 

Camera Angles                                       

• Eye Level - A very common angle as it shows the subject as how we view the world
• High angle - Shows the subject from above
• low angle - Shows the subject from below
• Birds eye - Shows the subject/scene from directly above
• slanted - When the camera is slanted also known as a Dutch angle

Camera shots

• Long shot - Emphasizes on the location
• Wide shot - When the artist is shown taking most of the shot but the setting is still focused on
• Mid shot - When the artist is shown from the waist up
• Medium close up - A shot half way between a mid shot and a close up
• Close up - Shows the artists face
• Extreme close up - Shows the artists face extremely close
• Over the shoulder shot - Often used in a narrative based music video as it shows perspective 
• Cut in - is used to show the subject of what the lyrics are referring to

Part B

Genre Research by Mackenzie Craig