CODES & CONVENTIONS OF MUSIC VIDEOS By Sophie EjaifeA2 Media

WHAT ARE CODES & CONVENTIONS?

• Codes and conventions are the forms and techniques used by the media to construct certain ideas and meanings.

• Technical codes include: 1. Camera angles and shots2. Sound (diegetic and non-diegetic)3. Lighting 4. Style of editing • Symbolic codes include the language, dress, and actions of characters in

the videos.

TECHNICAL TECHNIQUES• Technical techniques are the ways of how meaning is conveyed using

technical equipment. • It is the way technology and equipment are used to construct meaning.• Technical codes include:1. Camera angles and shots2. Sound (diegetic and non-diegetic)3. Lighting 4. Style of editing

SYMBOLIC CODES• Symbolic codes is what depicts the meaning of what we can see. For

example, the way an audience is able to understand a characters feelings and emotions through their facial expressions, mise-en-scene, camera work and gestures.

• Symbolic codes include the language, dress and actions of the characters in the music videos.

TECHNICAL CONVENTIONS• Technical conventions apply to most videos because they tend to be

included in a lot of songs.• An example of a common technical convention is the music video being

the same length and the song

GENRE CONVENTIONS• Genre conventions refer to when conventions are associated with a

particular genre.• For example, pop music videos tend to include lip syncing and dance

routines. This is because pop music are known to have a ‘happy vibe’ and be linked with upbeat music.

• Therefore the conventions presented in music videos would be related to it genre, providing the audience with a clear structure and understanding of what the genre of the song is.

• This also makes them familiar with genre conventions overall, due to the repetition of music videos using the same traditional conventions within a genre.

CAMERA SHOTS AND ANGLES

Low angle shot;The low angle shot makes the subject have a sense of superiority and power. This shot is very popular in rap and hip hop music videos because it follows the artist’s star image.

High angle shot;The high angle shot makes the subject look innocent and it is connoted with his soft smile expression. The high angle shot can make the object/subject small, demeaning and less powerful in comparison to the low angle shot.

CAMERA SHOTS AND ANGLES

Close-up shot;Close-up shots helps direct the audience on what to look and focus on. In this case, it gives the audience a perfect view of the subject’s facial expressions, giving them insight on their emotions.

Wide shot;A wide shot displays the location and setting of the scene. Although the artist may be shown in this scene, the main focus remains on the setting of the scene.

SOUND• Sound consists of two main forms:• diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound. • Sound is one of the most important feature in a music video.• This is because the sound is the main reason why the audience is

watching the music video.• People watch music videos mainly because they like the song/artist.• Music videos are only appealing when accompanied with the song.

DIEGETIC SOUND• Diegetic sound is the sound from the surroundings shown in a music video.• This could include the sound of:BirdsFootstepsRainWind • It is the noises that happen within the scene that haven’t been edited in but

have been included in the video deliberately. • This makes the video seem more realistic.• Diegetic sound can either be on screen or off screen.

NON-DIEGETIC SOUND• Non-diegetic sounds are sounds that have been edited in, such as the

music, sound effects and narrations.• The purpose of using non-diegetic sound is to add bring life to moments

that would otherwise be dull and silent without the sound.• Non-diegetic sound is also more important than diegetic sound because

the actual music for the music video is non-diegetic sound.• Therefore, without including it, the video may have negative impacts as

the main purpose of a music video is to further promote the song.

MISE – EN – SCENE • The mise-en-scene is the design aspects of the music video production.• The way these elements are used depends on the genre of the music and the artist.• The mise-en-scene for music videos focuses on the: lighting,Props,Costume,hair and makeup,Location, and colours,• That are used in the video.

PROPS• Props tend to be included in a lot of music videos because they are a way

of conveying a clear link between the lyrics of the song to the visuals of the music video.

• Props enhances the aesthetics of a music video, making it seem more interesting.

• Props are chosen according to the genre of the music video, so the audience can relate to it.

The music video for Katy Perry's 'California Girls' uses a lot of different props which gives the audience an indication of what the video is about, as it sets the scene and gives us a first impression of the music video.

COSTUMES• Costume is a key feature of a music video and tends to be included in a

lot of videos.• This is because they are used to represent certain characters in different

ways.• Costumes are used to give the character an identity within the music

video.

HAIR & MAKEUP• Hair and makeup involves the style of the artist and the way they are

characterised.• Hair and makeup is a way of making a music video appealing to the

audience, so that they have positive comments about the video.• For example, some people may imitate the artist’s look.• It also gives the artist a star image through close-up shots which enables

the audience to see the artist’s make-up and hairstyle clearly, promoting certain make-up and hair trends.An example of this is Ariana Grande’s ponytail which also makes her look innocent, therefore appealing to her target audience.

LOCATION• The right location in a music video is important as it makes it easier for

the audience to recognise the genre of the music video.• The location allows the audience to know where the characters are

positioned.• Also, the location helps to convey a clear meaning and

understanding of the song to the target audience.• The majority of music videos are created in a way that match the

context and genre of the song.• Therefore, location would be significant feature of music videos and help

make them appealing and engaging for their target audience

EDITING• Editing is the process that concludes the making of the music video. • This involve cutting down scenes, adding special effects and adding the

track of the song to the music video.• The editing process consists of:Parallel editing (a method of cutting between a couple of scenes that are

happening at the same time)CGI effectsJump cuttingAdding non-diegetic sound

An example of CGI (the tiger) which was used in the music video for ‘Roar’ by Katy Perry