Advanced Portfolio A2 Media Studies: Conventions of a Music Video

General Conventions of Music Videos:

Camera work:
CU- emotions, lyrics, makeup

MCU- emotions, lyrics makeup , what they are wearing (tells us more about the person)

LS- establishing shot, context and understanding, see a performance or something important in the background

Over the shoulder shot - Actors perspective from behind person.

Steadicam - (home video)

Pan - see the surrounding area or other people around them

Tilt - see a persons whole figure'clothing.

Tracking - to keep the camera at the same distance from the subject, so the audience are moving with them.

High angle - create a weak perspective.

Low angle - create dominant perspective.

Sound:
Specific song what the music video is based on.

Editing:

Slow motion - Emphasises a particular part of the clip.

Black and white- old fashioned (in the past).
Distortion effects- i.e ( Blur) there are many of these all depends on the type of shot.
Continuity editing - to see a performance of something, makes a simple and often effective music video

Montage editing - lots of different things going on, could be still shots.

Fade - to move to a different shot.

Super imposition - Can be used for backgrounds if a green screen is used and to animate videos.

Jump cut - allows a change from one scene to another

Mise-en-scene:

Costume and makeup - depending on artist and lrics. Videos are made to promote the artist however, costume and makeup depends on the artists style.

Location - links into the lyrics and the artist

Lighting - Depends on artist, lyrics and shot.

Some of the Conventions of Florence and The Machine's existing music videos:

Costume:
Usually Dramatic, vivid, extravagant clothing and makeup.
Lighting is usually bright.

Location:

Uusally theatrical for example a theatre, with fake trees/ backgrounds.

Editing:
Blurring, Cropping. Reverse speed. Brighness and contrast.

Cinematography:

High/ low ...abstract angles.Freelance.Close-ups.