Codes & Conventions/ Styles
Technical- Usage of camera angles, different shot types and movement, diegetic and non diegetic sound, pace/style of editing, genre.
Symbolic- Facial expressions, gestures, poses, mis en scene
Genres- Pop, Funk, Classical, Techno, Country and Rock
Mis En Scene- Lighting- how the scene is lit. Props- performance equipment. Costume- clothes that may stereotype/help tell the story. Hair & Makeup- style of the artist. Location-in a venue, on a street etc. Colour- use of colour both in costume/settings & in post production (colour correction/grading) to represent a mood/feeling.
Tropes- Tropes mean many things such as the use of figurative language, it refers best to metaphor, juxtaposition, irony
Colour and B&W- Colour can effect us emotionally or psychologically & often subliminally. It can create harmony or tension, accentuate a key theme or represent character traits in a music video. For example, the colour red represents angry and fierce and also passion and love. The colour light blue represents cool, sad and calm. Colour can also be used in other ways, such as in music videos. there are 2 ways colour can be used in music videos, the first being the way the video is styled (e.g. clothes, props and scenery) and the other being the usage of colour correction in pre production. Monochrome or best known as black and white is another use of colour used in music videos. The black and white effect can create a tense atmosphere because when seeing dark and light colours put together, it can sometimes be seen as uncomforting to some. Black and white theming also shows signs of a sad atmosphere. For example, the song 'The A Team' by Ed Sheeran is filmed in black and white throughout and shows someone who's homeless and isn't happy.
Lighting- The term lighting refers to how light has been used by the and directors and camera man. The director wants to create scenes where the lighting itself adds mood and meaning. 3 point lighting is a good example of lighting used in media, the main three are: Key light- The main source of light in a scene. Fill light- The second source of light in a scene, often used to reduce shadows. Backlight- A light positioned behind the subject, often shows half of them into darkness.
Styles of Music Videos
Performance based- A performance based music video features parts of live concerts or gigs that the artist has sung at. An example is Pop Smoke. He uses live concerts in his music videos from previous shows.
Narrative based- A narrative based music video shows a storyline. The storyline normally fits well with the lyrics in the song. The storyline will be shown in the music video.
Interpretive- An interpretive style music video is one which aims to represent/ portray the lyrics of the song but in a visual format.
Animated- 'Animated' refers to all different styles of animation such as stop motion and CGI.
Surrealist- Surrealism is a term used when referring to the art movement. They created art that was non-sensical/fantastic and was very far from reality. Music videos from this genre tend to be unsettling.
Pastiche- A 'pastiche' is where you borrow/steal ideas from another persons work, but not necessarily in a respectful way.
Parody- A 'parody' generally pokes fun at its source material and doesn't take itself seriously. It can also be used to mock the subject that is based upon. A recent musician named Bart Baker is best known for making parodies on new music. However the content is quite rude.
Homage- A 'homage' is similar to a 'pastiche' but you generally pay tribute or respect the art form that you are referencing.
Camera Angles
Dutch Angle
A dutch angle is where the camera is on an angle. It's also known as the dutch tilt. The use of the dutch tilt is to make the audience feel uneasy and disorientated.
Low Angle
A low angle is used to make the audience feel as if they are within the action. The characters who are shown in a low angle are seen to be superior and the most powerful. This is because the camera angle gives the effect that they are looking over someone and makes them look overpowering.
High Angle
A high angle is where the camera looks down on the subject from a high level. This makes the subject look weak and useless. The camera angle gives the effect that the subject is low to ground. This makes it seem as if the subject could be walked over as they are seem as small.
Daisy- Ashnikko
Establishing Shot
An establishing shot is usually shown at the start of a music video. this gives the audience of an idea of what the music video might be like based on the setting. The camera shows a lot of background.
BEST INTREST- Tyler, The Creator
Very Long Shot
A very long shot is where you can see almost like an establishing shot behind yet not too much as you want the audiences attention to the subject which is the the middle of this very long shot. This allows the audience to see the characters body language and to understand where about they are in the scene.
History- One Direction
Full Shot
A full shot is where the camera shows the whole of the subjects body and some of the behind setting. This gives the audience a chance to see the body language of the main subject who is in the centre of the shot.
Hit Different- SZA feat. Ty Dolla $ign
Extreme close up
A extreme close up is where you can see the subjects facial emotions quite clearly. This shot focus on the eyes.
Snake- Lil Need
Perspective
A perspective shot is also known as a point of view shot (POV). This shot is where one person would be standing far in the distance and another person is closer to the camera. This looks as if the person who is the furthest way looks very small.
iSpy- KYLE feat. Lil Yachty