Conventions Of A Music Video

Before starting the planning for the actual Music Video itself, we need to establish the conventions within a music video. We can use this information, to help us with are music video. Music Videos need to have a there own unique style. Music Videos in general are in most cases made to promote the band/singer.

Lyrics: Lyrics are hugely important obviously for a Music Video, some have lyrics, most of them do. The lyrics of a song can have a mental effect on the person listening. Lyrics can change peoples mood instantly, for better or maybe for worse. Mainly lyrics relate to what we see in a Music Video. Some lyrics can be hard to understand, and others can be so simple. R&B/Hip-Hop videos generally give us the idea that its a short film, where as Rock Videos are normally filmed at a concert.

Mise En Scene: This refers to the positioning of the band, the clothing that they wear and props that we see. Also the setting in which the video was filmed. Mise-en- scene represents the video in a way. An example is, 'Beautiful’ by Eminem. The mise-en scene involves Eminem walking through dark, shutdown buildings, on his own. This reflects the isolation he feels from himself and everybody else. 'I've been too long on my own, Everybody has their private world'. The lighting is very dull and depressing in most of the scene's we see Eminem in. This relates again to the lyrics. The Props we see are the clothes in which he wears, they are lacking colour and are also very dull. This all connects to the lyrics/mood of the song.

Camera Shots: Music videos include long shots, close ups and medium shots. This is to create emphasis and focus on the artist. Camera shots also capture emotion, and of course show us the location.