Conventions of a Music VideoBy Scott Galloway

Lip Syncing

In Music Videos, the convention of lip syncing is one of the most fundamental conventions that the music video need. Lip Syncing is where the artist mimes the word and emotions to their song and then a recorded version is played over the top and synced to the artists movements. This makes it look like the artist is singing the version being played.

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Suitable Settings

This convention is to do with the settings or location the music video is filmed at. The locations used in the music video must relate to the genre of the music. This is so the audience can identify the genre by what’s in the video and where it is set. For example, the sreeen shots below have been taking from pop music videos. These are generally set at parties with everyone having a good time

Three or more Locations

To keep a music video fresh and interesting for the viewers to watch, Music Videos will contain more than three locations which the artist is preforming in or that something is happening in. This catches the audience attention and makes them watch on to see where the artist will be next.

Close ups of Artist/Band Members

In Music Videos, there are generally a lot of close ups of the artist or the members of the band which are in the music video. This helps the audience relate to the artists on screen and gives a more personal performance to the viewers, as if they are singing directly to them.

Montage Editing

The main type of editing used in Music Videos is montage editing. This is where a number of shots are put together to show the passing of time. In Music Videos, lots of different shots of the artist singing, dancing or acting is put together to show emotion or meaning behind the video.

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Different shot types

Another way to keep the music video fresh and exciting for the viewers is to contain a number of other shot types as well as close ups of the artist. This is also another way to keep the audience watching and create an original and interesting.

High Angles

High Angles are generally used in female artists video. It is used to make the female artist look sexy and attractive to the viewer and can also highlight some of their features. Although, some people object to this as they say it under-minds and oppresses the artists and it makes them seem vulnerable.