Music Video Codes and Conventions

1. Music Video Codes & Conventions What makes a good music video? By FaraiMusamadya

2. Music Videos Visuals are the most important part of a music video. Everything is based on watching on screen. There are different categories of music videos which are: Narrative Music Videos: These are music videos which have a storyline and theme to them. This involves acting supported by the song lyrics. The Isley Brothers - Busted Busted is the song title and is revealed as the female got busted cheating and lying. This is a great example of a narrative song which features the lyrics as the script. The lyrics are the story and the mise-en-scene support it. e.g. The female artist comes in late at night whilst her husband is waiting for her.

3. Types of Music Videos Cont... Performance Music Videos: This involves a video with a band or artist playing also choreography is an important aspect of a performance based music video. Ciara – Gimme Dat In this Ciara “Gimme that” music video there is so much focus on her dance performance as the lyrics are about her being back with another hit “Gimme that base” so she can dance to. Choreography based performance The music video included so many different scenes of dancing, including a wet scene, one with a crew of man and one with a group of Ciara’s created using CGI

4. Music Videos Continued... Mixture Narrative/ Performance : This is a mixture of both performance and narrative aspects in the music videos. Keyshia Cole – I should have cheated Keyshia Cole is performing her song in the booth with the camera focus on her and the lyrics as well as emotion of the song Keyshia is also featured in the narrative as she is arguing with her boyfriend over cheating.

6. Location (setting)

7. Costumes

8. Lighting

9. Hair & Make-up

10. Facial ExpressionsMise-en-scene is important to the presentation of music video and different from genre to genre Hair & Make Up is important in the presentation of the artist. Also the accessories and nails polish can compliment the costume. Location is important as they have used a mansion in Italy showing they are rich rather than a flat in New York . Facial expressions show the emotion and feelings of the artist supporting the lyrics as well as the body language.

11. Camera Angles Birds Eyeview: This shot shows the location from above e.g. In a helicopter Long Shot: Shows person whole body & surroundings Extreme Close Up: This shot shows the face up close e.g. Detail in make up, facial features and emotion. Mid Shot: Shows the upper body of the artist and they body language.

12. Editing Editing is very important in the aspect of continuity and putting music videos together. There has to be a flow of scenes created using fading, cutting and other features such as CGI and split screen to create great visual effects Fading: Is merging two clips together with out use of cutting. It involves one scene fading in and another fading out. Split Screen: Is the use of different clips put on screen at the same time with different scenes from different places. CGI: Make the impossible possible with the use of green screen.

13. By Farai Musamadya St Pauls Catholic CollegeCandidate No: 5500