Codes & Conventions

of Music Videos

Mise en scene, camera, sound, editing.

What are codes and conventions

and why are they used?

Codes and conventions are the common technical (the

way in which connotations are signified through
technical equipment, for example camera shots and
angles) and symbolic (the way in which connotations
are signified through the characters actions for example,
their facial expressions and body language) codes/signs
that are typically denoted in music videos.
These codes and conventions are used so that the
audience can associate certain codes and conventions
with specific music genres.

Types of music videos

Narrative - A narrative music video tells the story through

the moving images that are linked to the lyrical content.
Performance - The artist appears to be performing the
song. This usually includes lots of live edited footage.
Combined style - This is a mixture of performance and
narrative.
Animated - This is a music video that has been created
using only computer graphics.
Abstract This is a music video that has an abstract
interpretation.

Narrative
An example of a narrative music video is Take Me To Church by Hozier. This has
used a variety of techniques (mise en scene, camera, sound, editing) to conform
to the codes and conventions of its genre (indie rock).
Mise en scene
The lighting used in this music video is a mixture of high key and chiaroscuro
de-saturated lighting which is used to connote a sense of verisimilitude. This
connotes the use of the uses and gratifications theory of personal identity as the
audience may identify with the sequential narrative. This signifies that the
audience are able to follow the narrative easier as they are deliberately made to
focus on certain aspects of the music video and therefore are able to denote the
characters and the roles that they play. This mixture use of lighting techniques
encourages the audience to connote synergy between this lighting and the genre
of the music.

Narrative continued (mise en scene)

The props used in a

music video are generally
used to illustrate the
narrative and therefore
link with the lyrics. The
props that have been used
in Take Me To Church are
everyday household
items (bicycle, backpack,
shovel) thus reinforcing
the sense of realism
throughout the video.

The costumes denoted in this

music video have been used to
represent characters in
different ways in order to
synergize with the lyrical
content. For example, on a
denotative level some of the
character are wearing hoodies
with scarves covering their
faces. This connotes that these
characters are about to do
something illegal and
therefore do not want to be
identified.

The location of a
music video can be a
signifier of the genre.
For example the
location of Take Me
To Church is small
town.
The way in which
colour has been used
in this music video is
to imply that the
events that are
occurring are
backwards/of old
ideals. This is
representing through
the use of having the
entire music video in
black and white.

Narrative continued (camera)

This music video has used a variety of different shots and angles in
order
denote
the
linear
to the
audience.
Close to
ups
these
are
usednarrative
to emphasis
certain
objects/props or features to the audience.
Medium shots are used to denote the characters
within the music video.
Over the shoulder shot this is used to denote
something that the character is looking at and therefore
is useful for telling the narrative of the music video.

High angle shot are conventionally used to

connote a character inferiority as the audience are
denoted to be looking down at them.

Narrative continued (editing)

Continuity editing this is used so that the audience are able to keep
up with the narrative without being confused by a complicated
narrative.
Cross cutting this is used so that the audience can denote two
different scenes at the same time. This helps to portray the whole
storyline in a shorter period of time.
Jump cut these are used in this music video to continuously draw
the audiences attention to a certain aspect of the video which is useful
in understanding the narrative.
Match on action this is used in the music video to create tension and
build suspense. Therefore signifying the use of visceral pleasure.

Narrative continued (sound)

The music video Take Me To Church has solely used a non

diegetic synchronous parallel soundtrack which is the actual
song. This is because the style of the music video is narrative
and so there is no one singing in the video for there to be
diegetic sound. Occasionally narrative music videos will use
diegetic ambient sound at the beginning or the end of the
music video in order to place an importance on the
setting/location.

Performance

An example of a performance music video is Next To Me by Emeli Sande. This

has used a variety of techniques (mise en scene, camera, sound, editing) to
conform to the codes and conventions of its genre.

Mise en scene
The lighting used in this music video is a mixture of low and high key lighting
which is used to connote the importance of the artist as the focus is mainly on
them. This connotes the use of Richard Dyers star theory of stars being portrayed
as a commodity. This signifies that the artist is not relatable and therefore cannot
be identified with. This mixture use of lighting techniques encourages the
audience to connote synergy between this lighting and the genre of the music.
Props these are conventionally the instruments that the artist uses to perform.
Costumes these synergize with the location of the music video and the
tone/rhythm (very simple, plain clothing).
This music video takes place in an abandoned warehouse this links with the
lyrical content with the song and again synergizes with the tone/rhythm.

Performance continued (camera)

This music video has used a variety of different shots and angles in order to denote
the linear narrative to the audience.
Establishing shot this is used to set the scene. This connotes that there is a
significant amount of importance on the locations and this tends to synergize with
the tone and lyrical content of the song.
High angle shot - are conventionally used to connote a character inferiority as the
audience are denoted to be looking down at them.
Close ups these are used to emphasis the artist in the music video or to signify the
importance of certain props/features to the audience.
Long shot in this music video this implies that the artist is isolated as there is only
one other character in the shot.
Low angle this is conventionally used to connote that this character is superior and
is dominant over the audience.

Performance continued (editing)

Jump cut these are used in this music video to continuously draw
the audiences attention to a certain aspect of the video which is useful
in understanding the narrative.
Match on action this is used in the music video to create tension and
build suspense. Therefore signifying the use of visceral pleasure.
Dissolve/fade this is used to juxtapose images that contrast each
other. Therefore connoting the importance of the artist.

Performance continued (sound)

The music video Next To Me has used a diegetic synchronous

parallel sound which is of the artist actually singing the song.
During the editing process a non diegetic soundtrack of the
song may be placed onto the video so that the music is clearer
to hear. Occasionally performance music videos will use
diegetic ambient sound at the beginning or the end of the
music video in order to place an importance on the
setting/location.

Combined style
An example of a combined style music video is Love Me Again by John Newman .
This has used a variety of techniques (mise en scene, camera, sound, editing) to
conform to the codes and conventions of its genre.
Mise en scene
The lighting used in this music video is a mixture of high key and chiaroscuro
lighting which is used to connote a sense of verisimilitude. This connotes the use of
the uses and gratifications theory of personal identity as the audience may identify
with the characters in the video. This mixture use of lighting techniques
encourages the audience to connote synergy between this lighting and the genre of
the music.
Props these are a mixture use of the instruments that the artist uses to perform
and props the illustrate the narrative therefore making it easer for the audience to
understand and follow.
Costumes these synergize with the location of the music video and the
tone/rhythm. This helps to create a sense of verisimilitude therefore encouraging
the audience to identify with the characters in the music video.
This music video takes place in a small hall with a stage for a performance. This
allows the music video to be both a narrative and performance video. This links
with the lyrical content with the song and again synergizes with the tone/rhythm.

Combined style continued (camera)

This music video has used a variety of different shots and angles in order to
denote the linear narrative to the audience.
Establishing shot this is used to set the scene. This connotes that there is a
significant amount of importance on the locations and this tends to synergize
with the tone and lyrical content of the song.
High angle shot - are conventionally used to connote a character inferiority
as the audience are denoted to be looking down at them.
Close ups these are used to emphasis the artist in the music video or to
signify the importance of certain props/features to the audience.
Long shot in this music video this implies that the artist is isolated as there
is only one other character in the shot.
Low angle this is conventionally used to connote that this character is
superior and is dominant over the audience.
Medium shots are used to denote the characters within the music video.
Over the shoulder shot this is used to denote something that the character
is looking at and therefore is useful for telling the narrative of the music
video.

Combined style continued (editing)

Graphic match this is used to denote the narrative in a continuous

flow so that the cuts between shots is less visible to the audience.
Shot reverse shot this denotes a conversation or connection between
characters.
Continuity editing this is used so that the audience are able to keep
up with the narrative without being confused by a complicated
narrative.
Cross cutting this is used so that the audience can denote two
different scenes at the same time. This helps to portray the whole
storyline in a shorter period of time.
Jump cut these are used in this music video to continuously draw
the audiences attention to a certain aspect of the video which is
useful in understanding the narrative.

Combined style continued (sound)

The music video Love Me Again has solely used a non

diegetic synchronous parallel soundtrack which is the actual
song. This is because there is no one singing in the video for
there to be diegetic sound. Occasionally combined style music
videos will use diegetic ambient sound at the beginning or
the end of the music video in order to place an importance on
the setting/location.