Codes and Conventions of Music Video Genres

Codes and Conventions of Music Videos Genres

Pop Music Videos
When it comes to pop songs it usually depends on the type of pop song, most are upbeat and dance worthy. The Codes and Conventions of pop music videos are…

• They usually contain a link from the lyrics of the song to the actual video itself.
• Editing the clips to make them go in time of the beat makes the video satisfying to watch and aesthetically pleasing.
• The Mise-en-scene (Costume and Pops) usually link to the video as well, dance videos that are upbeat or even songs that just generally have a catchy tune usually have some sort of bright colour adapted into them, this includes the costumes or even the settings. These are used to appeal to the younger audience who are usually more energetic.
•  Celebrities are usually the starters for fashion trends, so in general celebrities usually.
• Usually the actors involved in the music video itself are young, this is to link with the artist themselves but also to the youth, it appeals to the younger audience.
• Most pop songs are about love or the concept of it, so most of the pop songs have an element of romance to it to make it appeal to the younger audience.
• In sync dancing with choreographed routines and performances within the music videos are also common, this is too sure they’re all performers and not just singers.
• Close ups of the artist’s face helps keep them relevant and recognisable.

Indie Music Videos

Indie music videos have a different vibe to them compared to pop music videos; they also usually have a larger target audience other than just relating to the youth of today. The Codes and Conventions for these music videos are…

• Live performances are common in indie music videos, it gives the audience a look at the fact that the band or artist is about the music instead of just being about the fame.
• Most music now have a narrative in the music video that related to the lyrics of the song, this is also common in indie music videos if they have a story to be told.
• The way the music video is set also has an impact on indie music, for indie artists they usually have stereotypical attire to what they wear and there for mise-en-scene is important for them to be recognised as indie. This includes the background. The props, the costumes and even how they act.
• Sound is used to help set the scene of the artist, it comes in handy when having an opening and closing sequence to songs. It makes it more realistic for the audience especially when the artist is doing a live performance or the song is from a concert.
• Camera shots, typical camera shots which may help recognise an indie artist is a close-up, they’re known for the unique type of music and the emotion they portray so close-ups during these music videos have the ability to show their emotion.
• Editing is key for indie music videos, the sepia effect on music videos is common to almost give the music the old feel most indie artists use in their music, fast and slow shots mean they can link in with the music itself so it’s more relatable.

Rock Music Videos

There are various types of rock music within the world; it had first developed in the USA which is known for its classic ‘Rock and Roll’ Pieces including where the King of Rock himself was born, Elvis Presley.  Because of the many styles of rock sometimes it’s hard to state what the stereotypical rock videos can relate to. For many, the codes and conventions of rock are… 

• The control of the mise-en-scene is usually as follows in the twenty first century, including the continuous use of dark clothing and a messy hairstyle to kind of represent the rebellious stage of each rock band. 
• When in the music video most bands will play a concert to help portray a story, they will also most likely follow a deep and meaningful story line instead of being a happy one to match the song and the particular type of music.
• There is usually a lot of hand held shots to add to the realistic feel of the music videos, especially as rock is meant to be less edited than pop music, this also relates to Music Videos.
• Rock Music Videos also commonly have no special effects added to them or a major story line unlike Taylor Swifts ‘Bad Blood’ instead they’re often natural and of live performances of the band on stage.

Country Music Videos

Country music videos often have their own taste and relate differently compared to the others, this is because they are completely different compared to the other genre of music. Many artists however do develop from Country into pop e.g. Taylor Swift, due to the ever changing sound of music. The Codes and Conventions of Country Music Videos are…  

• The Country music videos usually have a deep meaningful message hidden into them , e.g. Tim McGraw (My Little Girl), while this message is open other songs such as Shania Twain (Feel Like a Woman) while many see the song as an upbeat country song, its enforcing women to be themselves, no matter how they act, and not giving in to the social norms on how a woman should act in public. 
• The above comment also relates to the idea of having a storyline itself running through the song, instead of running through the music video itself, so both parts of the music video people can follow the story line while also listening to the song.
• The main character or artist usually is portrayed as the main character within the music videos and is often involved in the story line, much like R ‘n’ B music videos.
• Natural element in music videos is key to help portray the type of music genre, e.g. Cowboy Hats, Boots, Horses; Trucks are all stereotypically connected to country music and therefor often is involved in the music videos.
• Performing in country music videos is incredibly common it sets the fact that what these people are singing is real and that makes it more realistic to viewer s who are watching the music video.

      By Danniella Chapman