this is for my media a level project.

1. CONVENTIONS OF MUSIC
SUB-GENRE |POP
Lisa Adams

2. ARTISTS/BANDS SIMILAR TO OURS.
Since our genre is Pop, I’ve chosen artists that represent not only pop,
but are more individual and differentiate themselves within the Pop
genre and break the some even break the stereotypical representation
of women within the Pop genre. . Which is hopefully something we’ll
be able to do with our music video.
The artists I’ve chosen to analyse are, Paloma Faith, Christina Perri and
Lilly Allan. All to be powerful woman, in my opinion.

3. PALOMA FAITH | ONLY LOVE CAN
HURT LIKE THIS
This music is NARRATIVE, we can tell this through the relationship
between the visuals and the lyrics. How it’s a love song, and its being
told with the use of flashbacks as well as direct lip syncing. The
visuals amplify the lyrics to send a more powerful message, an
example of this is where the lyrics she sings are;
“But l feel like l die, till l feel your touch”, then we can physically see
the man in the video touch the artists face.
(0.48)

4. USE OF CAMERAWORK TO CREATE
MEANING
The use of close ups in this video connotes to the
audience her (the artists) mood by her facial
expressions. Also the use of zooming, also brings
the audiences attention to the artist because it
gives more of a direct focus on her, before the
music video even begins.
Also they adjust the framing of the angle on
Paloma Faith, in the beginning of the video, using
the ‘rule of thirds’ technique. This gives more
emphasis on the artist, since she’s un-
stereotypically presented to the side rather then
directly in the centre. This could also connote that
she’s different as a artist, and not the usual pop
artists we see.

5. USE OF EDITING TO CREATE
MEANING
In this video, they’ve chosen to use put their cuts in
a linear sequence (continuity editing), with the use of
flashbacks. Using flashbacks in contrast to just the
artist singing, creates a juxtaposition of happiness
and sadness. Amplifying (Goodwin's Theory) the
meaning of the lyrics.
They also use slow motion, to add the effect of loss.
When she’s pushing herself away from him, the slow
motion connotes her emotional pain and the
struggle she had actually leaving him. Perhaps them
few seconds were the longest seconds of her life.
The shot duration is often dependent on the song
beat and in this song, they use medium/long shots
to convey the intimacy and intensity of the song.
Giving the narrative a stronger meaning,
4 Second
Shot

6. USE OF MISE-EN-SCENE TO
CREATE MEANINGIn this music video, as props they’ve chosen a
mirror with dirt and dust covering parts of it.
Limiting, us the audience and the artists vision of
herself in the mirror. This conveys her feelings as
broken, since she’s unable to see her reflection
clearly, thus setting the tone for the music video,
before the flashbacks begin.
Also, the flashbacks she has are often in dim
lighting, referring that those were more dark
times, in comparison to the scenes with just her,
they’re often more lit up. Again these visuals are
there to amplify the lyrics. In comparison to that,
in the flashbacks the lighting there is often natural
light, whereas in her scenes its more artificial
lighting such as street lights. This gives the
connotation that perhaps during the flashbacks
she was stripped down to her natural self and was
more relaxed. Whereas now, she has more

7. CHRISTINA PERRI | BURNING GOLD
Following the conventions of the Pop music subgenre, Christina Perri,
takes a NARRATIVE approach in her music video. However, she also
uses elements of PERFORMANCE, because within the narrative she’s
performing with a microphone as well as also being on stage dancing.
As the narrative builds up, so does the performance levels within the
video. At the beginning she’s singing the chorus in a pub, then in the
next chorus she’s onstage singing as a backup singer with other girls.
Then finally she's on the lastchorus she’s on a stage of her own as
the main singer.

8. USE OF CAMERAWORK TO CREATE
MEANING
There's a use of handheld camera movements.
During the beginning of the music video. This
conveys a sense of realism which allows audiences to
feel like Christina Perri, is someone you can relate to,
rather then a Pop Star.
Also there is a frequent use of over the shoulder
shots. In this music video this allows us to see from
their perspective rather then just seeing them
perform, adding to the narrative aspect of this music
video. Also using over the shoulder shots also gives
us a perspective of our own – as if we were there,
again connoting realism. Using a over the shoulder
shot into a mirror, gives us access to her facial
expressions, which amplify (Goodwin’s theory) the
message of woman empowerment that are being
presented in the lyrics of this song.

9. USE OF EDITING TO CREATE
MEANING
Unlike Paloma Faiths music video, this music
video goes down a more generic route that’s
often used in Pop music. They’ve used a lot
of post production work to add meaning to
this music video as well as emphasise
certain parts in it.Firstly, they’ve gone for the approach of continuity editing in the form of a
montage. This enables us to see far more of this music video narrative in a
condensed amount of time. The effect of this, is that you feel more emotionally
connected to the songs narrative, as you’re able to see the story behind it.
They’ve used fade in/outs, as well as special effects to make smoother cuts
from each clip. Since they’ve used special effects during transitions, during the
bridge/end of the song, it amplifies the fact that she’s got a new better life, and
she’s changed as a person. This connotes the message of change and strength
to her audience. As well as giving the literal sense that there's been a change in

10. USE OF MISE-EN-SCENE TO
CREATE MEANINGThe Pop sub genre often can be conflicting in there choice of
set and location. They can either be very high production and
on a big stage, or they can use more realistic locations and
have connote a sense of realism.
This music video takes both approaches, which is built up
along with narrative of the song. The idea that she's now
leaving her boring life behind and making a change. Giving
her audiences a sense of woman empowerment since she’s
doing what she wants. The location choice for the beginning
of this video is in a pub setting, where she’s the waitress,
allowing her audience to relate to her, and then at the end in
juxtaposition to the beginning she’s on a big stage. The focus
being all on her, employing that you can get to hat point from
wherever you start.
Along with the set change, so does her makeup, she goes
from very simplistic makeup-Girl next door’, look to a
glamourous makeup look with glitter and bright colours.

11. LILY ALLEN | SMILE
Like the other two music videos, this one is also NARRATIVE based.
Which is a convention which is obviously popular within the Pop
genre.
Amplification is also a popular technique as, the meaning of the
song can be emphasised by the visuals. The narrative is told much
like in Paloma Faiths, music video, however these are presented
more in the present tense then using flashbacks.

12. USE OF CAMERAWORK TO CREATE
MEANING
Like the other two music videos, this one has very similar camera
work.
The main being hand held camera movements. When paired with the
location this really emphasises the fact that they’re in a everyday
location and it also amplifies (Goodwin’s theory) the lyrics because it
makes them more applicable to anyone, not just singers!
Throughout, the main shot types are long and medium. This allows us
to see not only the artist but also the background. This shot type
enables to audience to create their own interpretation of what they’re
seeing as they’re seeing a lot more of the scene. This allows the
meaning of the lyrics to be even more emphasised because it’ll mean
something different to each person.

13. USE OF EDITING TO CREATE
MEANINGAt one point in this music video, they use a unique
colour change effect one of the scenes. This is
where some boys are trashing this girls ex-
boyfriends house. The colours change into black and
white when they enter the door, this immediately
gives the audience a sense of evil, as in what they’re
up to. This also can portray the artist badly as she’s
using a unique narrative to tell her broken love
story. However being controversial in the Pop genre
is one of the things that can make a artist stand out.
Also as the narrative takes a more revenge strategy
in telling her love story, there are more straight cuts,
switching from the carnage she’s created for him
and the contrasting relaxing atmosphere she’s in.
This elicits sympathy in the audience for the male
character, as this goes against the stereotypical
representation since its in fact the artist who’s got
the more malicious motives.

14. USE OF MISE-EN-SCENE TO
CREATE MEANING
In contrast to her portrayed personality in this
music video, the artist is wearing a famine dress,
which is a juxtaposition to how she’s acting.
This would spark interest in the audience as this
is not a generic convention we see in the Pop
genre a lot. Also this gives more of a feminist
perspective, as just because she’s dressed very
feminine and has bright pink eyeshadow one,
doesn’t mean that determines the way a girl can
dress.
Giving a more in depth look at the narrative of
this music video.
At the beginning of this music video, the colour red is
domineering over the rest of the bedroom scene. This
colour, has the classic connotation of blood. Which could
reflect a sense of what attitude she has in this music video,
which we later find out is vengeful. Despite the lyrics just
sounding like a usual breakup song, it is the visuals that
vastly amplify the context of the lyrics.