Conventions of Music Videos

In music videos, there are many conventions that are followed such as camera shots used and editing techniques. Firstly music videos tend to feature a lot of close up shots of the singer or band; this helps create a connection with the audience and to reflect the emotions of the song through facial expressions and the lip singing.

(You Found Me - The Fray)



But there are also medium shots and long shots used depending on the video, this shows the surroundings of the singer/band and lets you reflect in what is going on. Generally the camera tracks the artist/band as they perform, there also seems to be a lot of crane shots and tilts, this again breaks up the usual routine of a bland medium shot. The editing process is also a fairly standard convention, which sees jump cuts as the main technique used, as there are many shots used and many scenes to keep the audience interested in the video.  Fades are also used often as well either to end the video or to introduce a new scene.  The lighting used, depending on the video is generally artificial especially when it’s in a studio setting but if they want to create a dark setting then they may use natural light.

(You Found Me - The Fray)



Some generic conventions for the genre we are working in which is Rock/Indie include the scene and lighting to be black and white or set in a dark location, or even night. They also seem to be more performance based with the artist/band shown in the video throughout, and close ups and long establishing shots seem to be used often as well. The pace of the videos is generally fast, this works well with the instruments, which are usually shown such as drums and guitars.

(Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club)