Codes and Conventions in a typical Music Video

Codes and Conventions in a typical Music Video

• The codes and conventions of music videos heavily depend on the genre of the song; not all codes and conventions of certain music videos are the same as others.
• The most common/modern/recent type of music video is a performance-narrative. This involves the artist lip syncing the lyrics of the song in some parts, with other parts including a short story/narrative which links to the song.
• Genre might be reflected in the use of mise-en-scene, themes, performances, camera and/or editing styles.
• Camera shots often portray the meanings/emotions of the song. For example, in Coldplay's 'Violet Hill', the shaky, handheld camera (instead of a rigid stationary camera) links to the fact that it is about a serious, dark, sad topic (war) which caused millions of people upset and harm across the world; it suggests emotional unstableness.
• Similarly to camera shots, editing can also be used to portray the meanings/emotions in a music video. For example, if there were quick, fast-paced cuts and edits in a music video, then it is an upbeat, 'happy' song (like in Drake's 'God's Plan'), whereas if the edits were slow and minimal, then the mood could be sad/depressing (like in Coldplay's 'Violet Hill').
• Again, similarly to camera shots and editing, costumes also play a big part in the portrayal of the meanings/emotions of the song/music video. For example, if a costume was a dark colour, it would portray a sad/dark emotion, whereas light clothing would portray a happier emotion/mood.
• Lighting is yet another example of how meanings/emotions can be portrayed in music videos. If a music video was in black and white, for example, it would connotes sadness, whereas if the music video included lots of bright, vibrant colours, then it would connote happiness.