Codes and Conventions

of Music Videos
By Jessica Peaty

What are codes and

conventions?
Codes: Are a system of technical or
symbolic signs that create meaning.
Conventions: The accepted way of
doing something.

Codes and conventions are used

together in any study of genre, to
discuss a technical code used (e.g
camerawork) and saying how it is
conventionally used in genre.
By using the correct signs, a person is
able to shape a product into a genre
by using the system of signs that are
iconography/ indefinable to that
certain genre.

Types of codes:
There are two types of codes:
1. Technical: Technical codes are all the ways
in which equipment is used to tell the
story in a media text. For example, the
way camera shots/angles/movement are
used.
2. Symbolic: Symbolic codes show what is
beneath the surface of what we see. For
example, a characters actions show how
the character is feeling.

Impacts codes and conventions

have
The audience start to recognise a particular
genre, as they are used to denoting the
continuing theme of conventions within that
genre.
Allows the audience to understand through a
structure.
Ensures the lyrics fit with the video (of how the
target audience expect it to do).
Depending on the genre, codes and conventions
create different atmospheric relationships
between the genre and audience.

Examples of codes and conventions:

Codes and conventions differ depending on the
genre of the music video, however the basic
overall codes and conventions for all genres
include:
1. The style of the music video
2. The camera shots, movement and angles.
3. The sound (Non-diegetic and diegetic)
4. Editing
5. Mise-en-scene (this includes; Props, lighting,
costumes, hair and makeup, location/setting,
colours).

1. Style of Music Videos

The style of the music video is used to present
an interpretation (whether thats the dominant,
oppositional or negotiated readings) these
styles are the following:
Performance
Narrative
Combined
Cameo
Animated
Abstract

Performance: System of a
Down

Performance music videos are when the artist appears only to perform the song, this
certain style benefits from a lower budget.
An good example of a performance based video is,
Chop Suey by System of a Down. Throughout the
entirety of the video the band are on the certain of
a stage performing around an fiery and passionate
crowd. The energy of the crowd radiates a positive
and exciting atmosphere that the demographic feel
through the video.
Various camera angles, movements and shots
(technical codes) have been used presented in the
form of quick jump shots edits, this keeps the video
interesting and unique, keeping the audience
engaged throughout the video, the fast pace of the
jump cuts are parallel to the non-diegetic
soundtrack, as it creates a fast moving and
energising atmosphere for the audience to endure.
The images of the lead singer singing, are parallel
to the non-diegetic soundtrack connoted through
the lack of diegetic sound contrapuntal to the
images of the screaming crowd.

Performance: Beyonc
Beyoncs Love on top music video also takes the
style of performance, where the video continuously
presents the artist performing without taking an
narrative or any other scenes. As performance is
mainly targeted for lower budgeted artists and
dont produce best feedback or popularity,
therefore Beyonc is challenging this in a creative
way with costume changes throughout the video.
The white open studio location adds to the lack of
narrative and causes the target audience to focus
on the performance and non-diegetic soundtrack.
The video opens, as if it was concert -dancing with
backups, signifying and giving the demographic the
impression of they are watching a rehearsal for one
of Beyonc's show. Enigma (Barthes theory) is
connoted through the ideology that the audience
are never shown whom or what the artist and her
dancers are facing.

Performance: Green Day

Green Day, American Idiot is a third example of a
performance styled music video. Throughout the
video the band are performing their song denoted
within various camera shots, angles, movements
and lighting techniques to keep the audience
interest and to conform and become parallel to
music itself. Even though the location is a very a
basic and empty warehouse that doesnt change
the music video holds symbolic codes (links) that
dont portray an narrative but do give an iconic
impression of the band- linking their song to their
band. The green and white American flag behind
them symbolic of the song, American Idiot with
the green slime that merges from all directions
(connoting their name, Green day) allowing the
audiences to connote and signify the colour green
to the band- which slow motion shots are used to
emphasize. The fact their music video is
performance based signifies their personality and
maybe even past, as a band self formed as
teenagers, through the style the performance is
presented.

Overall summary on Performance

Overall, taking in consideration of the three
performance based style music video I have analysed,
codes and conventions of performance can be
determination (with the odd expectation of the genre of
the music video), these codes and conventions of
performance include:
1. The lack of location: The lack of location is evident
in all three of the music videos I have analysed,
System of a Down used a stage, Beyonc's video
featured a empty studio, and Green day performed
in a an empty warehouse. The lack of location
restricts a narrative allowing the audience to focus
their full attention on the artist and their
performance.
2. Various camera shots, angles and movement and
costume/ makeup change: Due to the lack of a
narrative or change of setting, performance video
can tend to bore their target audiences, therefore
using jump cuts of different shots and costume
changes keeps the performance looking fresh where
the audience expect more changes and creative
effects to interest them throughout.

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Performance
Advantages:
Allowing audience to
see the band/artists
typical concert
performance giving
them the feeling of
having watched their
concert, when they
may not have the
chance to see them
in person.

Disadvantages:
Purely performance threefour minute music video
would bore and lose
interest of the audience.
Mediation would influence
certain shots of the artist
or band in the final
product, possibly
portraying them a way
the industry want them
to, in order to boost
profits.

Narrative: Katy Perry

Narrative styled music videos follow a story line ( this can relate to Todorovs
narrative theory of equilibrium and disequilibrium). Narrative consists of two
types;
Linear: A linear narrative tells a story from beginning to end, with all the events
happening in the order they occurred. E.g from beginning, middle to end.
Fragmented: Fragmented narrative is a narrative that is non-linear, portraying
events occurring but not in the correct order they happened.
An music video example presenting a fragmented
narrative is Katy Perrys, Thinking of You, as it
portrays a story from beginning to end. Narrative
(both linear and fragmented), is used to express a
dominant reading or interpretation to the demographic
as they as the producers have control over what the
audience visually sees on the screen allowing that to
interpret a story in their minds.
Hegemonic reading of music video, Thinking of You
connotes as a love story where the artist is
remembering flash backs and having illusions of her
late boyfriend whom died at war. Throughout the
music video you can signify time moving in and out of
flashbacks due to the costumes, lighting and props
used to denote the time period.

Narrative: Mike Posner

Music video, I took a pill in Ibiza by Mike Posner
portrays a strictly narrative music video, where the
artist isnt connoted signing throughout the song. The
video relies on the narrative of visual aids to express
the artists interpretation on the lyrics.
Throughout Mise Posner, I took a pill in Ibiza the
narrative consists in a life club, documenting a male
whom has just consumed drugs and the demographic
are viewing his experience. The music video relies
editing techniques such as slow motion and technical
codes of camerawork (shots, angles and movements)
to produce creative effects expressing the side affects
of drugs.
The lighting change symbolic of the emotions the
character is experiencing throughout his encounter
with drugs. Where the de-saturated yellow tones
connote a sadness lonesome atmosphere and the desaturated colours of red and blues symbolise the heat
of the club and the fun his experiencing. Overall the
music video shreds positive light over the abuse and
intake of drugs.

Narrative: Eminem
Music Video, Stan by Eminem starts as a movie, with
the diegetic soundtrack and narrative lasting for 1:30
minutes into the movie. The ideology behind starting a
the music video as a movie acts as a psychological
trick to break down the target audience where the
narrative and lyrics of the song thats about to start will
be more effective on their emotions.
The lyrics and song of, Stan give the impression of a
sad and twisted mind of the protagonist. The desaturated lighting adds to this affect by casting dull
green and dusty yellow tones, colours scientifically
proven to depress and suppress people. The desaturated lighting also produces the effects of being
life-like, where no studio lighting is used to contrast
from reality.
The way in which the narrative is structured portrays
the artists mind set and their views and interpretations
on the lyrics. Taking in the plot of the mentally ill
crazed fan trying to contact Eminem portrays a sense
of his past or a tragic encounter with a fan.

Overall summary on Narrative

As an overall summary of the music video style;
narrative, it is evident that narrative is a why for the
artist to visually express their views and
interpretations of their lyrics- how the artist intended
their music to be. However the three narratives I have
analysed all portray a restricted narrative to an
extent, this allows to demographic to add and make
their own interpretations of the music.
Some other codes and conventions of narrative
include;
1. Use of characters: Narrative based music videos,
both linear and fragmented, use the performance
of an actor/actress to express their story creating
the idea of the everyman and how the situation
expressed in the lyrics effects or is relatable to
everyone.
2. Use of acting themselves: Again both linear and
fragmented narrative music videos can use the
artist to act in their narrative, this makes the
narrative more personal to the artist, as if the lyrics
portray a moment in their life they have
experienced.

Advantage and Disadvantage of

Narrative
Advantages:
A good technique to engage
audiences, as it enhances
the viewing experience by
allowing the audience to
see the artists visual
interpretation of the lyrics.
Encourages the audience to
interpret their own view of
the storyline.
It allows the audience to
interact and discuss the
meaning of the video.

Disadvantages:
The storyline is
typically limited to the
lyrics of the song
Many themes such as
love songs, are highly
populated it would be
difficult to differ and
create a unique
interpretation to stand
out from the rest.

Combined: Selena Gomez

Combined (also known as mixture) music videos is a combination of the two styles;
performance and narrative, this is the most popular style used for music videos.
An example of a combined and mixture styled music
video, is Selena Gomezs, Cant keep my hands to
myself.
The music video starts with a close up of the artist,
singing, portraying a performance theme. However
then is followed by the use of location shots and the
introduction of an male character, identifying the
music video with narrative themes as well.
As the music video ends, the non-diegetic soundtrack
fades out (connoting reality settling in) and the
diegetic sound of the police sirens can be denotedagain signifying the use of a narrative.
As the artist, Selena Gomez, Is portraying the
character whom is obsessed with the male character,
makes the lyrics and narrative more relatable and
identifiable to her, the fact that she looks different
from with the audience expect of her, connotes the
character as an alter ego of hers which shes using to
express herself.

Combined: Jess Glynee

Jess Glynees, Dont be so hard on yourself presents
the style of combined through switching from
performance of the artist to scenes of an conflicted
character.
The performance scenes are used to show the
audience the artists passion and her own relations to
the story behind lyrics.
The scenes of the character struggling expresses the
artists interpretations of the lyrics through the idea of
the everyman and how everyone is related to the topic
she is expressing.
Between the two different types of scenes the lighting
dramatically changes to portray two different emotions
at the same time.
Where the scenes of the character is connoted in desaturated lighting and denoted wearing dull dark
colours,
to signify his mood as sad.
Whereas on the other hand, the performance scenes
the artists is wearing bright colours in high key
saturated
lighting to express her inspiration and motivation.

Combined: Nick Jonas

A third music video presented in a combined
style is, Levels by Nick Jonas.
The high key saturated lighting connote the
lyrics and the music video in a positive
atmosphere. To add to this representation the
bright colour of the props and costumes used
throughout conforms the hegemonic reading of
Levels by Nick Jonas being a happy song. The
fast pace jump cuts and large variety of different
shots, angles and movements also conform to
the dominant reading.
The majority of music videos, use the combined
style. Therefore to make it unique and stand out
Nick Jonas, Levels is full of various angles,
shots and camera movements, through different
techniques of editing, such as split screens to
engage the audience and to set a positive vibe,
signifying and reflecting the vibe and meaning of
the lyrics.

Overall summary on Combined

Overall, combined is highly dominated in the music
industry, this acts as a negative as it causes music
videos to become expected where they lack creative
felicity.
Certain codes and conventions become expected of
combined music videos, these include:
1. Background dancers: During performance scenes
the majority of artists are seen performing with
their background dancers. This creates more
visuals on screen to engage and interest the
target audiences.
2. The switch between scenes: Throughout most (if
not all) combined music videos, there is a
continuous switch between performance and
narrative scenes, this leaves polysemic views or
interpretations of the music video, where the
demographic begin to relate and connote
symbolic links between the two scenes.
Also the continuous switching between types of
scenes, keeps the music videos narrative in an
interesting way, rather than having two separate
sections exploring two different styles.

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Combined
Advantages:
Allows the artist to mix
the two styles
(performance and
narrative) in one video.
Creates more content
where the audience
have more to analyse,
watch and enjoy- giving
them voyeuristic
pleasure.

Disadvantages:
The combined style of
music videos is highly
dominated in the music
industry, where the
music videos become
expected lacking
creative felicity.

Cameo: Tyga and Kylie

Cameo styled music videos are when the band or artist
features in the narrative but doesnt perform. For
example, in Tygas music video, Stimulated Tyga
performs his song, however celebrity guest Kylie
Jenner, doesnt perform in the entire song, but is part
of the narrative- resulting in a cameo styled music
video.
Not only is Tyga performing his song, he is also part of
the narrative making the music video also combined.
The three different styles are used cleverly in the
music video, as Tyga performs in the form of a
narrative as well as a performance separately.
As the music video, as a lot going on due the mixture
of styles, only two characters are portrayed and
denoted throughout the entire video.
The lack surrounding characters and settings, with a
basic narrative allowing the audiences to focus on the
placement and reason for casting the two actors, and
their relationship outside the music video. Cameo is
also a effective way to gain popularity by using wellknown and popular celebrities such as, Kylie Jenner.

Cameo: Ed Sheeran
Ed sheeran is another artist who uses the style,
cameo, in his music video, Logo House. By
using actor Rupert Grint, best known for his role
in Harry Potter, as the protagonist and crazed
fan in the narrative, all scenes and shots
surround around him and the artist himself, is
only denoted for a short period of time in the
video.
By using a well known actor to play the role in
the music video brings comedic value to the
video. Where it signifies their personality and
friendship outside the work area.
The fact that Ed Sheeran and Rupert Grint share
the same hair colour and style, the comedic
value is conformed.
By having Ed Sheeran rarely in the music video,
expresses the ideology of the message of the
lyrics is important and the artist doesnt want to
distract the audience by his performance
therefore a cameo of an character is needed.

Cameo: Shia LaBeouf and Maddie

Ziegler
Music Video, Elastic Heart by Sia stars Shia
LaBeouf and Maddie Ziegler in a mixture of cameo
and performance. Cameo styled music videos are
common for Sia, due to her mysterious in her
appearance.
The music video places an actor and dancer to
work together and share their qualities, to create
a performance styled narrative. The use of a
cameo styled music video expresses an message
behind the lyrics, abstractly being expressed by
the characters on screen.
The contrast of over exposed surroundings
makes their location mysterious, conforming to
Barthes theory of the Enigma code.
The abstract way in which the artists perform Sias
song, portrays and connotes her interpretations of
her own
music, by using a creative way of facial expresses
and body language, the audience are kept
interested and entertained throughout the music
video.

Overall summary on Cameo

As an overall summary, Cameo is rarely used in the
music industry, as actors (such as Johnny Depp)
would only star in other well-known artists work, as
it is a win-win viral marketing situation. Where both
artists are able to gain and promote themselves and
their own work of each other, this is also known as
synergy.
Some codes and conventions of cameo music videos
in general include:
1. Valuable message: In all the music videos I have
analysed the use of a valuable message as been
used in absence of the artist on screen. This
suggests that cameo is used purely for the
ideology of spreading a message, where the lack
of artists screen time ( if any) is used to focus
the demographic on the message, rather than
gaining voyeuristic pleasure from watching the
artist in a typical music video.
2. Well-known artists: The use of synergy is used in
order to promote each other, therefore only wellknown artists work with other actors as well as
creating an message this can be an marketing
technique, for viral success.

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Cameo
Advantages:

Cameo is hardly used in the music

industry, this leaves a wide space
for ideas of creative ways in order
to present the music video that
hasnt been used before.
Cameo is also mainly used in
mixture with another themes,
making the cameo style a good
cross-over theme in order to use
more techniques (styles) in one
production.
The use of an well-known artist in
the narrative of the music video,
acts as an marketing technique,
advertising their production to a
new audience, boosting profits.

Disadvantages:

As the style is rarely used, the

response of the target audience
is unexpected, leaving a higher
percentage of a failure than other
styles, such as combined or
narrative would.
Where cameo styled music
videos use artists that dont
perform however are part of the
narrative, synergy is used. Where
a well-known artist is more likely
to use cameo and smaller artists
would have an disadvantage as
the actor used in the narrative
wouldnt benefit from it.

Abstract: Rodriguez
An abstract music videos main purpose is to create a
feeling or mood in an artistic way. An exclusively
abstract video would have no performance or narrative
within it, however some abstract music videos do
include performance and/or an narrative although is
more common for them to include a performance
rather than narrative. Abstract videos usually require a
lot of editing. An example of an strictly abstract music
video is Rodriquezs, Sugar Man where for the entire
music video the demographic witness and denote
different colours paints dripping down a white
background. The lack of movement and change
visually in the music video, allows the audience to
focus fully on the lyrics and statement of the song,
while allowing them to infer their own interpretations
of the abstract scene.
The different colours portray different emotions are the
song progresses. Where in the beginning light yellows,
greens and pinks are used, they slowly turn to dirty
oranges, and purples.

Abstract: Tame Impala

Unlike Rodriguezs abstract music video for,
Sugar Man where there is only one aspect to
focus on for the duration of the music video,
Tame Impalas, Feels like we only go backwards
is jam packed with different shapes and colours
in a Kaleidoscope famous.
In the video there is no story or performance, it
is very artistic and specifically created to appeal
visually to its target audience and create a
certain mood or feeling.
The music video gives the impression of a
homemade kaleidoscope, where the shapes and
movements of the video plays mind and visually
games on the audience.
The colours used are also specifically chosen to
control the demographic to feel different
emotions, parallel to the emotions expressed
throughout the lyrics.
Bottom right is an image of a Kaleidoscope to
compare to the music video.

Abstract: Home and Dry

Unlike the previous two music videos that relies
on the use of shape movement to create a artistic
music video.
Home and dry, Ghosts are dancing uses the
movements and colours of lines and continuous
line drawing.
The music video begins with continuous line
drawing of a figure, connoted to symbolise and
take form of the artist.
Not until 1 minute into the music does the line
drawings start to develop colour.
The colours of that develop during the music
video, can symbolise that inciting moment that
occurs in the lyrics changing the perspective of
the song.
Just like, cameo styled music videos, the three
abstract music videos that I have analysed lack
their artist, this could signify the importance to
the lyrics, where the absence of the artist allows
the message and the artistic value to be
appreciated.

Overall summary on Abstract

The idea behind using an abstract style for music
videos, is to allow the audience to appreciate the
artistic creation and the deeper meaning into or behind
the lyrics. From the music videos I have analysed
common codes and conventions can include:
1. Use of shapes, lines and movements: Two out of
three of the abstract music videos I have analysed
used shapes and their movements to create their
music videos, the other one used the movement of
continuous drawings and lines.
2. Use of colour: In all of the abstract music videos,
colours plays an important part. The develop of
colour throughout the music videos portray and
symbolise the emotions and feelings the artists
intend their target audience to feel.
For the certain abstract music videos I have analysed,
the use of colours are used to symbolise and portray
happy and positive vibes, through the bright and
vibrant colours used.

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Abstract
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Abstract music videos allows

the artists to get creative in
the way their portray and
denote their music video and
the idea behind their lyrics.
It allows the artist to subvert
from common expectations
of their music videos and
work on creating something
new and different.
Small budget to make an
abstract music video in
comparison to other styles.

Well-known artists dont use

this style, therefore it
become unpopular, and only
mainly used by smaller and
more independent artists.
As abstract music videos are
creative the message
(dominant reading) the artist
wants their target audience
to decode, may be difficult to
the point where many
polysemic views are casted.

Animated: Arctic Monkeys

A surprising number of musicians have managed to
see past the animation age Ghetto, and released music
videos composed mostly or entirely of animation.
Animated music videos can range from traditional cel
animation or CGI or stop-motion.
An example of an animated music video is Arctic
Monkeys, Do I wanna know?
Throughout the majority music video the audience
denote a white line on a black background which
moves in schyronchous famous with the lyrics This
form of animation is very simple and basic, and can be
created with ease and quickly. For the remaining
music video animated images appear in an abstract
fashion. The lack of an artist being present in the music
video, again just like cameo and abstract, allows the
audience to focus on the lyrics and the animations and
how they link, or even the Enigma of the animations in
comparison to the lyrics.

Animated: Megan Trainor, Ariana

Grande and Who Is Fancy
Another animated music video is, Boys like you
by Megan Trainor, Ariana Grande and Who is
Fancy. However unlike the previous animated
music video by Arctic Monkeys where the
animations arent identifiable to the band, Boys
like you as animated characters to symbolise
the three artists that worked on the song
together. Not only are there animated characters
identical to the artists, the music video has a
narrative.
By the animations being identifiable to the
artists it creates a unique form of music video,
keeping their demographic engaged and eager
for the music video. The animations are the
parallel to the non-diegetic soundtrack. A benefit
of creating a animated music video is that
money is saved from paying for costume
changes, settings, props etc, instead the money
goes times a network/program to edit the
footage and create the animations on.

Animated: We The Kings

Stone Walls by We The Kings is another example of an
animated music video, however unlike the previous
two, this video includes lyrics that last throughout the
music video. Also unlike, Do I wanna know? and, boys
like you this music video, is an animation taken in the
form of stop motion.
The lack of the band expresses the seriousness of the
message of sacrifice of life for love, connoted through
the sad lyrics connoted through the tone and pitch of
the band.
The lack of colours used throughout the music video
also conforms this ideology. Where black, white and
greys are used to colour the world in this animated
music video, expressing the mood and emotions the
audience should be going through, and help control
their feelings to feel sympathy for the animated
character. The only colour comes from the pink heart
he cut out of himself in order to give to a loved one,
signifies the pureness and love and hope, he is giving
to her, and the lack of regret he has for that regardless
of the fact that it will cost him his life.

Overall summary on Animated

There are many versions and techniques used to
create animated music videos, from stop motion
to CGI animated music videos can casts
polysemic views and express very different
emotions to their audiences.
Some common similarity in animated music
videos that I found were;
1. Colour: Colours were used as a primary
source of connecting with their target
audience, and passing through emotions for
the audience to receive and feel. This works
for both happy with the denotation of bright
vibrant colours, and sad with the lack of
colour.
2. Shapes: Shapes were used in order to portray
the animated character, this works for both to
make the character identifiable to the artist
or not. The use of the shapes to form the
character restricts realistic values, making it
redeem animated.

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Animated
Advantages:
Animated music videos can
save profits for the artists, as
where money would have been
spent on costume changes,
props, location etc. The only
money on animation goes on
the software to create the
animations.
If mistakes are made and
noticed later on in the
production of the music video,
it is easier to edit and change,
rather than with an nonanimated video which will take
re-filming.

Disadvantages:
The animated music video
might not appeal to their
target audience for various
reasons. One, because its not
the artists usual style or two,
it doesnt meet the
demographic expectations.
Animations are very difficult to
make and can be very time
consuming, therefore the
artists need skilled and
knowledgeable editors and
animators in order to achieve
the highest possible quality.

2. The Camera Shots

The way the camera is used plays a very important
part in producing a music video, it can have and
produce different effect simply by changing the shot
type, angle or movement of the camera. There are
many different shot types that music videos use in
order for their audiences to encode different views or
emotions. Here are a few examples;
Close up/ head shot:
The close up shot
consists of the artists
head, this allows the
audiences full focus
and attention to be on
the artist.

Wide shot:
This shot is used to
introduce characters and/or
the artist as well as sending
information about them and
their surroundings- allowing
audience to connect with
who is on screen.

Over the shoulder shot:

This shot allows the audience to see a
conversation or connection between the
character and the artist, by sharing this inciting
moment with the audience they also feel
connected.

The Camera Movements

The camera moves to follow a certain
character or artist, or even to denote more in
the frame. These movements can include
panning and tracking. Some reasons a
director may choose with action to use
include;
Telling the story as series of cuts
Transitions from one shot to another
Follow actions with the camera
Pans: A pan is when the camera is stationery
but follows the scene horizontally or
vertically. The camera is placed on a tripod ,
which operates as an stationary axis point as
the camera is turned allowing smooth
movement.
Dolly/Tracking: This is when the camera is
placed and secured on a cart which travels
along a track keeping up with the artists or
character.

The Camera Angles

The way the camera is positions the frame
determines how the angle of the shot will look
like. There are various ways in which the
production of music video convey and connote
different images, and messages through angles.
Examples of camera angles include;
High Angle:
The high angle is when
the camera is above the
subject angling down
towards them/it. It is
used to create the
effect of making them
look and appear less
powerful and less
significant.

Eye level angle:

This is a very common
and basic view, being the
real world angle that the
demographic are used to
seeing, denoting the artist
in a life of how the
audience would expect to
see them in real life.
Low Angle:
A low angle does the opposite of a high angle.
The subject is shown from below, giving the
impression of them being more dominant and
powerful.

3. Soundtrack
There are two types of soundtracks used in music videos:
Non-diegetic soundtracks: Non-diegetic soundtracks are sounds that the
audience hear but the characters or the artists in the music video dont
Diegetic Soundtrack: Diegetic soundtrack is the sounds that the
audience and the character and/or artists hear in the music video.
There are different effects the editor can make with the soundtrack in
order to produce different reactions and emotions from the demographic.
Parallel:
The soundtrack can be parallel to the images on the screen meaning that
the sound fits in and relates with what is being seen
Contrapuntal:
Contrapuntal is the opposite of parallel and is when sound does not fit in
with the images. E.g images of kittens would be contrapuntal to the
sound of horrified screaming.
Aschyronhous:
Aschyronhous sound is when the soundtrack (whether non-diegetic or
diegetic) isnt in time with the images. Occasionally the artists would have
aschyronhous sound to create a weary emotion and feel to the production.
Schyronhous:
Schryonhous sound is the opposite and is when the sound is in fit with the
images.

4. Editing Techniques
There are many different editing softwares avabile to
create productions, however the most common and
popular software is Final Cut Pro X;
Final Cut Pro allows editor, to add different effects
to different shots
To sync the soundtracks to the images making them
parallel and/or scynchrous.
Cut down footage and place footage with other
footage.
Editing is the final stage in the process of making an
music video. Within editing you have the ability to cut
down scenes, add special effects and add the nondiegetic and diegetic soundtracks over the images.
The transitions from one cut to another in music
videos , and the jump cuts between shots are all
caused by editing.
For example, the image to the left shows a cut in the
music video , Cake by the ocean by DNCE the scene
in action, shows jump cuts between random shots, this
is done in the editing stages.

4. Mise-en-scene
The mise-en-scene for music video focuses on the following
key elements:
Lighting
Props
Costume
Hair and Makeup
Location
Colour
The elements above usually depend on the genre of the
music video and the style, they are also very important in
contributing towards the chosen genre. They are used to
allow the audiences to connote importance's and
connections on screen, in different ways.

Lighting
The lighting of a music video can create different views by the way
the scene is lit, it allows and encourages the audience to recognise
the genre and the style of the music video. There are four main key
lighting techniques to cast different views, they include;
High Key lighting:
The high Key lighting, brightens the scene
with a range of white and vibrant tones,
lacking in black or mid-tones. High key
lighting is used to make the scene upbeat,
optimistic and youthful.
Low Key lighting:
The low key lighting, is the opposite to
high key lighting and relies on shadows,
deep blacks and darker tones, with very
few whites and middle tones. The mood
portrays as mysterious and moody,
dramatic and even ominous depending
on the subject

Saturated Lighting;
The saturation of a colour is determined by a
combination of light intensity and how much it
is distributed across the spectrum of
wavelengths. Saturated lighting is used in
music videos to portray and connote the
atmosphere of a party vibe.

De-saturated Lighting:
De-saturated lighting is the opposite of
saturated lighting and is when the saturation
of the colour used in the scene is weak on the
spectrum of wavelengths, and is typically
used to contrast the emotions and
atmosphere of depression and sadness.

Props
Most if not all music videos use props to
illustrate the narrative, and when linking the
lyrics with visuals, props are commonly used.
The props in a music video add to the
entertainment side, and can be used in a fun
imaginative way. One music video that uses
props to make the video more entertaining is
in DNCE, Cake by the Ocean.
The use of cake brings comedic value
linking the visual of the cake to the name
of the song, Cake by the Ocean.

The pills in, I took a pill in ibiza

creates links with the name of
the song as well as the
narrative in the lyrics and song.

Costume
The costume is normally used to represent
certain characters in different ways. Different
artists would also wear different clothes
throughout their music video, to represent
what there are portraying in the music video.
Lady Gaga is a good example with her
costumes, connoting her personality
throughout her music videos and personal life.

The detached-able head in, I took a

pill Ibiza allows audience to relate
the narrative to the idea of the
everyman.

Hair and makeup

Everything a music video from the mise-en-scene to the
camera movement and shots is done for a purpose ,it can
also show a characters personality, or done as a way of
attracting the audience. Depending on the target
audience, hair and makeup is really just about style, and
fashion and whats in. It is important for the actor/artist
has the best quality costumes and the latest styles.
Hair and makeup can be displayed in many ways for many
different reasons. Here are a few examples of how
makeup and hair can give an impression. Bold and bright
makeup, and big hair can be used to show a person is fun
and the artist stand out and is remembered by their
demographic.
Lady Gagas and Nicki Minaj have been iconic artists
whom push the boundaries with their crazy costumes, this
in facts aids their performances and acts as a marketing
technique where their crazy costumes stick in their
audiences brains and gets them publicity in celebrity
news, widening there target audience.

Location/ Setting
The location, and setting of a music video doesnt
only show the audience were the artist is, but also
determines the genre. For example locations of a
beach, sports car, or even a party etc. would
usually be ionic of the genre pop or dance music
videos- due to the happy and lively vibe it radiates.
If the music video was filmed on a street, its a
typical location where you would find a gang, and
develop connotations that the genre is rap or hiphop.
The location influence the genre, but also be
chosen purposely to relate to the lyrics of the
song. For example, DNCE, Cake by the Ocean
music video is entirely shot on a beach, where the
title (Cake by the Ocean) is able to be linked.

Colour
The use or the lack of colour in music videos are
very important and allows the demographic to
encode a lot about the production and the artist.
Colours are shown through everything in a music
video, lighting, costumes, hair, makeup and
location, the way the camera is angled also plays a
part in positioning the colours we see in music
videos.
Colour can also be interpreted to express and
represent a feeling or mood or to signify a certain
thing.
For example some scenes in black and white
showing no colours, can be a representation or
symbolising the sense of time passed, e.g a
flashback.
It can also be done to show an emotional scenario
for example, Beyonc, If I were a boy, the lack of
colour shows the relationship between two people.