Task two:

Features and conventions of music videos-

CAMERA SHOTS:
Long shots
Close ups (used to show emotions and reflect. Emphasis on words-lip synching can be seen.)
Mid-shots (shows artist, location/setting and emotion to make the videos seem relevant and
emphasise meaning to the audience.)
CAMERA MOVEMENT:
Movement of the camera use to follow and trace the artist/band or show the point of interest to the
audience to ensure they are involved ad allowed to understand the message/meaning of the video.
Movement in the form of panning, dolly track shots, crane shots and tilts may be used to
follow/track the movement of the singers/dancers in the video.
MISE-EN SCENE:
This is the inter-textual link of the video, therefore object presented to the audience through the
camera in the mise-en-scene depend on the intended representation of the video. Arrangement of
performers and props in a scene or on stage emphasises the importance of representation. Mood
and feelings can be represented through colours, placement etc. Everything in the mise-en-scene is
there for a reason and to allow the audience to make these representations. Costume also adds to
the relevance and enables the audience to understand more about the artist/ band through their
fashion sense or understanding of the video as some clothes may be worn to represent meaning of
the video.
Mise en scene is also reflected through:
LIGHTING:
The common lighting technique in many music videos would be artificial lighting. This enhances the
look of the artist/band as it makes them appear flawless and adds to the intended glamorous feel to
the majority of music videos produced. Switches in the lighting can help indicate shifts in the song
(e.g. - from chorus to second verse the lighting may dimmer slightly.) Lighting can also effect the
atmosphere presented in the video to suit the intended mood; bright lights would suggest a right
and upbeat atmosphere to suit a song (dance v videos usually would feature this.) Whereas a dark,
dull and eerie atmosphere may be presented through dim/low lights, usually seen in rock videos to
suit the mood and genre of the music.
PROPS:
These are vital within a music video as creates realistic scenes and adds relevance to the song and
lyrics. Props also create significance on objects or especially on people. Colour of props would
contribute towards setting the mood and atmosphere within a video.

COSTUME:
This may reflect the genre of the music style and of the artists, this makes the costume an essential
part of the mise-en-scene in a music video as the audience will make associations and judgements
based on this. Costumes give the artists/bands the opportunity to reflect their personality and allow
the audience to relate to this style.
COLOUR:
The mood of the song can be represented through colour shown in the mise-end-scene through the
camera shots.
SOUND:
The sound in music videos is usually music and vocals. Although some may choose a narrative which
involves acting to create a storyline. This therefore means there would be sounds including diagetic
and non-diagetic inside of the video to emphasise and make it realistic at the same time as allowing
the audience understand the storyline.
EDITING:
Jump cuts these are predominant techniques to use within a music video and allow sudden
changes from scenes to allow the audience to see different things which are relevant and prevent
boredom among viewers- retaining attention as they are not just shown the same thing throughout.
Other transactions such as fade and dissolving scenes into others.
Reaction shots may be used within the narrative videos to show and express the relationship
between two or more people.
The pace of editing would fit with the beat of the track to ensure it flows nicely and is effective from
the audience point of view- beat is therefore emphasised and recognised by audience.