Codes and Conventions

of Music Videos
By Jessica Peaty

What are codes and

conventions?
Codes: Are a system of technical or
symbolic signs that create meaning.
Conventions: The accepted way of
doing something.

Codes and conventions are used

together in any study of genre, to
discuss a technical code used (e.g
camerawork) and saying how it is
conventionally used in genre.
By using the correct signs, a person is
able to shape a product into a genre
by using the system of signs that are
iconography/ indefinable to that
certain genre.

Types of codes:
There are two types of codes:
1. Technical: Technical codes are all the ways
in which equipment is used to tell the
story in a media text. For example, the
way camera shots/angles/movement are
used.
2. Symbolic: Symbolic codes show what is
beneath the surface of what we see. For
example, a characters actions show how
the character is feeling.

Impacts codes and conventions

have
The audience start to recognise a particular
genre, as they are used to denoting the
continuing theme of conventions within that
genre.
Allows the audience to understand through a
structure.
Ensures the lyrics fit with the video (of how the
target audience expect it to do).
Depending on the genre, codes and conventions
create different atmospheric relationships
between the genre and audience.

Examples of codes and conventions:

Codes and conventions differ depending on the
genre of the music video, however the basic
overall codes and conventions for all genres
include:
1. The style of the music video
2. The camera shots, movement and angles.
3. The sound (Non-diegetic and diegetic)
4. Editing
5. Mise-en-scene (this includes; Props, lighting,
costumes, hair and makeup, location/setting,
colours).

1. Style of Music Videos

The style of the music video is used to present
an interpretation (whether thats the dominant,
oppositional or negotiated readings) these
styles are the following:
Performance
Narrative
Combined
Cameo
Animated
Abstract

Performance: System of a
Down
Performance music videos are when
the artist appears only to perform the
song, this certain style benefits from a lower budget.
An good example of a performance based
video is, Chop Suey by System of a Down.
Throughout the entirety of the video the
band are on the certain of a stage performing
around an fiery and passionate crowd. The
energy of the crowd radiates a positive and
exciting atmosphere that the demographic
feel
through
theangles,
video. movements and shots
Various
camera
(technical codes) have been used presented
in the form of quick jump shots edits, this
keeps the video interesting and unique,
keeping the audience engaged throughout
the video, the fast pace of the jump cuts are
parallel to the non-diegetic soundtrack, as it
creates a fast moving and energising
atmosphere for the audience to endure. The
images of the lead singer singing, are parallel
to the non-diegetic soundtrack connoted

Performance: Beyonc
Beyoncs Love on top music video also takes
the style of performance, where the video
continuously presents the artist performing
without taking an narrative or any other
scenes. As performance is mainly targeted for
lower budgeted artists and dont produce
best feedback or popularity, therefore
Beyonc is challenging this in a creative way
with costume changes throughout the video.
The white open studio location adds to the
lack of narrative and causes the target
audience to focus on the performance and
The
video opens,
as if it was concert -dancing
non-diegetic
soundtrack.
with backups, signifying and giving the
demographic the impression of they are
watching a rehearsal for one of Beyonc's
show. Enigma (Barthes theory) is connoted
through the ideology that the audience are
never shown whom or what the artist and her
dancers are facing.

Performance: Green Day

Green Day, American Idiot is a third example
of a performance styled music video.
Throughout the video the band are
performing their song denoted within various
camera shots, angles, movements and
lighting techniques to keep the audience
interest and to conform and become parallel
to music itself. Even though the location is a
very a basic and empty warehouse that
doesnt change the music video holds
symbolic codes (links) that dont portray an
narrative but do give an iconic impression of
the band- linking their song to their band. The
green and white American flag behind them
symbolic of the song, American Idiot with
the green slime that merges from all
directions (connoting their name, Green
day) allowing the audiences to connote and
signify the colour green to the band- which
slow motion shots are used to emphasize.

Overall summary on Performance

Overall, taking in consideration of the three
performance based style music video I have
analysed, codes and conventions of performance
can be determination (with the odd expectation
of the genre of the music video), these codes
and conventions of performance include:
1. The lack of location: The lack of location is
evident in all three of the music videos I have
analysed, System of a Down used a stage,
Beyonc's video featured a empty studio, and
Green day performed in a an empty
warehouse. The lack of location restricts a
narrative allowing the audience to focus their
full attention on the artist and their
performance.
2. Various camera shots, angles and movement
and costume/ makeup change: Due to the
lack of a narrative or change of setting,
performance video can tend to bore their
target audiences, therefore using jump cuts of

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Performance
Advantages:
Allowing audience to
see the band/artists
typical concert
performance giving
them the feeling of
having watched their
concert, when they
may not have the
chance to see them
in person.

Disadvantages:
Purely performance threefour minute music video
would bore and lose
interest of the audience.
Mediation would influence
certain shots of the artist
or band in the final
product, possibly
portraying them a way
the industry want them
to, in order to boost
profits.

Narrative: Katy Perry

Narrative styled music videos follow a story line ( this can relate to
Todorovs narrative theory of equilibrium and disequilibrium). Narrative
consists of two types;
Linear: A linear narrative tells a story from beginning to end, with all
the events happening in the order they occurred. E.g from beginning,
middle to end.
Fragmented: Fragmented narrative is a narrative that is non-linear,
An music video example presenting a
portrayingnarrative
events occurring
but not in the correct order they happened.
fragmented
is Katy Perrys,
Thinking of You, as it portrays a story from
beginning to end. Narrative (both linear and
fragmented), is used to express a dominant
reading or interpretation to the demographic as
they as the producers have control over what the
audience visually sees on the screen allowing
that to interpret a story in their minds.
Hegemonic reading of music video, Thinking of
You connotes as a love story where the artist is
remembering flash backs and having illusions of
her late boyfriend whom died at war.
Throughout the music video you can signify time
moving in and out of flashbacks due to the

Narrative: Mike Posner

Music video, I took a pill in Ibiza by Mike Posner
portrays a strictly narrative music video, where
the artist isnt connoted signing throughout the
song. The video relies on the narrative of visual
aids to express the artists interpretation on the
lyrics.
Throughout Mise Posner, I took a pill in Ibiza the
narrative consists in a life club, documenting a
male whom has just consumed drugs and the
demographic are viewing his experience. The
music video relies editing techniques such as
slow motion and technical codes of camerawork
(shots, angles and movements) to produce
creative effects expressing the side affects of
drugs.
The lighting change symbolic of the emotions
the character is experiencing throughout his
encounter with drugs. Where the de-saturated
yellow tones connote a sadness lonesome
atmosphere and the de-saturated colours of red

Narrative: Eminem
Music Video, Stan by Eminem starts as a movie,
with the diegetic soundtrack and narrative
lasting for 1:30 minutes into the movie. The
ideology behind starting a the music video as a
movie acts as a psychological trick to break
down the target audience where the narrative
and lyrics of the song thats about to start will be
more effective on their emotions.
The lyrics and song of, Stan give the impression
of a sad and twisted mind of the protagonist. The
de-saturated lighting adds to this affect by
casting dull green and dusty yellow tones,
colours scientifically proven to depress and
suppress people. The de-saturated lighting also
produces the effects of being life-like, where no
studio lighting is used to contrast from reality.
The way in which the narrative is structured
portrays the artists mind set and their views and
interpretations on the lyrics. Taking in the plot of
the mentally ill crazed fan trying to contact

Overall summary on Narrative

As an overall summary of the music video style;
narrative, it is evident that narrative is a why
for the artist to visually express their views and
interpretations of their lyrics- how the artist
intended their music to be. However the three
narratives I have analysed all portray a
restricted narrative to an extent, this allows to
demographic to add and make their own
interpretations of the music.
Some other codes and conventions of narrative
include;
1. Use of characters: Narrative based music
videos, both linear and fragmented, use the
performance of an actor/actress to express
their story creating the idea of the everyman
and how the situation expressed in the lyrics
effects or is relatable to everyone.
2. Use of acting themselves: Again both linear
and fragmented narrative music videos can
use the artist to act in their narrative, this

Advantage and Disadvantage of

Narrative
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

A good technique to engage

audiences, as it enhances
the viewing experience by
allowing the audience to
see the artists visual
interpretation of the lyrics.
Encourages the audience to
interpret their own view of
the storyline.
It allows the audience to
interact and discuss the
meaning of the video

The storyline is
typically limited to the
lyrics of the song
Many themes such as
love songs, are highly
populated it would be
difficult to differ and
create a unique
interpretation to stand
out from the rest.

Combined: Selena Gomez

Combined (also known as mixture) music videos is a combination of the
two styles; performance and narrative, this is the most popular style used
for music videos.
An example of a combined and mixture styled
music video, is Selena Gomezs, Cant keep my
hands to myself.
The music video starts with a close up of the
artist, singing, portraying a performance theme.
However then is followed by the use of location
shots and the introduction of an male character,
identifying the music video with narrative
themes as well.
As the music video ends, the non-diegetic
soundtrack fades out (connoting reality settling
in) and the diegetic sound of the police sirens
can be denoted- again signifying the use of a
narrative.
As the artist, Selena Gomez, Is portraying the
character whom is obsessed with the male
character, makes the lyrics and narrative more
relatable and identifiable to her, the fact that

Combined: Jess Glynee

Jess Glynees, Dont be so hard on yourself
presents the style of combined through
switching from performance of the artist to
scenes of an conflicted character.
The performance scenes are used to show the
audience the artists passion and her own
relations to the story behind lyrics.
The scenes of the character struggling expresses
the artists interpretations of the lyrics through
the idea of the everyman and how everyone is
related to the topic she is expressing.
Between the two different types of scenes the
lighting dramatically changes to portray two
different emotions at the same time.
Where the scenes of the character is connoted in
de-saturated lighting and denoted wearing dull
dark colours,
to signify his mood as sad.
Whereas on the other hand, the performance
scenes the artists is wearing bright colours in

Combined: Nick Jonas

A third music video presented in a combined
style is, Levels by Nick Jonas.
The high key saturated lighting connote the
lyrics and the music video in a positive
atmosphere. To add to this representation the
bright colour of the props and costumes used
throughout conforms the hegemonic reading of
Levels by Nick Jonas being a happy song. The
fast pace jump cuts and large variety of different
shots, angles and movements also conform to
the dominant reading.
The majority of music videos, use the combined
style. Therefore to make it unique and stand out
Nick Jonas, Levels is full of various angles,
shots and camera movements, through different
techniques of editing, such as split screens to
engage the audience and to set a positive vibe,
signifying and reflecting the vibe and meaning of
the lyrics.

Overall summary on Combined

Overall, combined is highly dominated in the
music industry, this acts as a negative as it
causes music videos to become expected where
they lack creative felicity.
Certain codes and conventions become expected
of combined music videos, these include:
1. Background dancers: During performance
scenes the majority of artists are seen
performing with their background dancers.
This creates more visuals on screen to engage
and interest the target audiences.
2. The switch between scenes: Throughout most
(if not all) combined music videos, there is a
continuous switch between performance and
narrative scenes, this leaves polysemic views
or interpretations of the music video, where
the demographic begin to relate and connote
symbolic links between the two scenes.
Also the continuous switching between types of
scenes, keeps the music videos narrative in an

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Combined
Advantages:

Allows the artist to mix

the two styles
(performance and
narrative) in one video.
Creates more content
where the audience
have more to analyse,
watch and enjoygiving them voyeuristic
pleasure.

Disadvantages:
The combined style of
music videos is highly
dominated in the music
industry, where the
music videos become
expected lacking
creative felicity.

Cameo: Tyga and Kylie

Cameo styled music videos are when the band
or artist features in the narrative but doesnt
perform. For example, in Tygas music video,
Stimulated Tyga performs his song, however
celebrity guest Kylie Jenner, doesnt perform in
the entire song, but is part of the narrativeresulting in a cameo styled music video.
Not only is Tyga performing his song, he is also
part of the narrative making the music video
also combined. The three different styles are
used cleverly in the music video, as Tyga
performs in the form of a narrative as well as a
performance separately.
As the music video, as a lot going on due the
mixture of styles, only two characters are
portrayed and denoted throughout the entire
video.
The lack surrounding characters and settings,
with a basic narrative allowing the audiences to
focus on the placement and reason for casting

Cameo: Ed Sheeran
Ed sheeran is another artist who uses the style,
cameo, in his music video, Logo House. By
using actor Rupert Grint, best known for his role
in Harry Potter, as the protagonist and crazed
fan in the narrative, all scenes and shots
surround around him and the artist himself, is
only denoted for a short period of time in the
video.
By using a well known actor to play the role in
the music video brings comedic value to the
video. Where it signifies their personality and
friendship outside the work area.
The fact that Ed Sheeran and Rupert Grint share
the same hair colour and style, the comedic
value is conformed.
By having Ed Sheeran rarely in the music video,
expresses the ideology of the message of the
lyrics is important and the artist doesnt want to
distract the audience by his performance
therefore a cameo of an character is needed.

Cameo: Shia LaBeouf and Maddie

Ziegler
Music Video, Elastic Heart by Sia stars Shia
LaBeouf and Maddie Ziegler in a mixture of
cameo and performance. Cameo styled music
videos are common for Sia, due to her
mysterious in her appearance.
The music video places an actor and dancer to
work together and share their qualities, to create
a performance styled narrative. The use of a
cameo styled music video expresses an message
behind the lyrics, abstractly being expressed by
the characters on screen.
The contrast of over exposed surroundings
makes their location mysterious, conforming to
Barthes theory of the Enigma code.
The abstract way in which the artists perform
Sias song, portrays and connotes her
interpretations of her own
music, by using a creative way of facial
expresses and body language, the audience are
kept interested and entertained throughout the

Overall summary on Cameo

As an overall summary, Cameo is rarely used in
the music industry, as actors (such as Johnny
Depp) would only star in other well-known
artists work, as it is a win-win viral marketing
situation. Where both artists are able to gain and
promote themselves and their own work of each
other, this is also known as synergy.
Some codes and conventions of cameo music
videos in general include:
1. Valuable message: In all the music videos I
have analysed the use of a valuable message
as been used in absence of the artist on
screen. This suggests that cameo is used
purely for the ideology of spreading a
message, where the lack of artists screen
time ( if any) is used to focus the
demographic on the message, rather than
gaining voyeuristic pleasure from watching
the artist in a typical music video.
2. Well-known artists: The use of synergy is used

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Cameo
Advantages:

Cameo is hardly used in the music

industry, this leaves a wide space
for ideas of creative ways in order
to present the music video that
hasnt been used before.
Cameo is also mainly used in
mixture with another themes,
making the cameo style a good
cross-over theme in order to use
more techniques (styles) in one
production.
The use of an well-known artist in
the narrative of the music video,
acts as an marketing technique,
advertising their production to a
new audience, boosting profits.

Disadvantages:

As the style is rarely used, the

response of the target audience
is unexpected, leaving a higher
percentage of a failure than other
styles, such as combined or
narrative would.
Where cameo styled music
videos use artists that dont
perform however are part of the
narrative, synergy is used. Where
a well-known artist is more likely
to use cameo and smaller artists
would have an disadvantage as
the actor used in the narrative
wouldnt benefit from it.

Abstract: Rodriguez
An abtract music videos main purpose is to
create a feeling or mood in an artistic way. An
exclusively abstract video would have no
performance or narrative within it, however
some abstract music videos do include
performance and/or an narrative although is
more common for them to include a
performance rather than narrative. Abstract
videos usually require a lot of editing. An
example of an strictly abstract music video is
Rodriquezs, Sugar Man where for the entire
music video the demographic witness and
denote different colours paints dripping down a
white background. The lack of movement and
change visually in the music video, allows the
audience to focus fully on the lyrics and
statement of the song, while allowing them to
infer their own interpretations of the abstract
scene.
The different colours portray different emotions

Abstract: Tame Impala

Unlike Rodriguezs abstract music video for,
Sugar Man where there is only one aspect to
focus on for the duration of the music video,
Tame Impalas, Feels like we only go backwards
is jam packed with different shapes and colours
in a Kaleidoscope famous.
In the video there is no story or performance, it
is very artistic and specifically created to appeal
visually to its target audience and create a
certain mood or feeling.
The music video gives the impression of a
homemade kaleidoscope, where the shapes and
movements of the video plays mind and visually
games on the audience.
The colours used are also specifically chosen to
control the demographic to feel different
emotions, parallel to the emotions expressed
throughout the lyrics.
Bottom right is an image of a Kaleidoscope to
compare to the music video.

Abstract: Home and Dry

Unlike the previous two music videos that relies
on the use of shape movement to create a
artistic music video.
Home and dry, Ghosts are dancing uses the
movements and colours of lines and continuous
line drawing.
The music video begins with continuous line
drawing of a figure, connoted to symbolise and
take form of the artist.
Not until 1 minute into the music does the line
drawings start to develop colour.
The colours of that develop during the music
video, can symbolise that inciting moment that
occurs in the lyrics changing the perspective of
the song.
Just like, cameo styled music videos, the three
abstract music videos that I have analysed lack
their artist, this could signify the importance to
the lyrics, where the absence of the artist allows
the message and the artistic value to be

Overall summary on Abstract

The idea behind using an abstract style for
music videos, is to allow the audience to
appreciate the artistic creation and the deeper
meaning into or behind the lyrics. From the
music videos I have analysed common codes
and conventions can include:
1. Use of shapes, lines and movements: Two out
of three of the abstract music videos I have
analysed used shapes and their movements
to create their music videos, the other one
used the movement of continuous drawings
and lines.
2. Use of colour: In all of the abstract music
videos, colours plays an important part. The
develop of colour throughout the music
videos portray and symbolise the emotions
and feelings the artists intend their target
audience to feel.
For the certain abstract music videos I have
analysed, the use of colours are used to

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Abstract
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Abstract music videos allows

the artists to get creative in
the way their portray and
denote their music video and
the idea behind their lyrics.
It allows the artist to subvert
from common expectations
of their music videos and
work on creating something
new and different.
Small budget to make an
abstract music video in
comparison to other styles.

Well-known artists dont use

this style, therefore it
become unpopular, and only
mainly used by smaller and
more independent artists.
As abstract music videos are
creative the message
(dominant reading) the artist
wants their target audience
to decode, may be difficult to
the point where many
polysemic views are casted.

Animated: Arctic Monkeys

A surprising number of musicians have managed
to see past the animation age Ghetto, and
released music videos composed mostly or
entirely of animation. Animated music videos
can range from traditional cel animation or CGI
or stop-motion.
An example of an animated music video is Arctic
Monkeys, Do I wanna know?
Throughout the majority music video the
audience denote a white line on a black
background which moves in schyronchous
famous with the lyrics This form of animation is
very simple and basic, and can be created with
ease and quickly. For the remaining music video
animated images appear in an abstract fashion.
The lack of an artist being present in the music
video, again just like cameo and abstract, allows
the audience to focus on the lyrics and the
animations and how they link, or even the
Enigma of the animations in comparison to the

Animated: Megan Trainor, Ariana

Grande and Who Is Fancy
Another animated music video is, Boys like you
by Megan Trainor, Ariana Grande and Who is
Fancy. However unlike the previous animated
music video by Arctic Monkeys where the
animations arent identifiable to the band, Boys
like you as animated characters to symbolise
the three artists that worked on the song
together. Not only are there animated characters
identical to the artists, the music video has a
narrative.
By the animations being identifiable to the
artists it creates a unique form of music video,
keeping their demographic engaged and eager
for the music video. The animations are the
parallel to the non-diegetic soundtrack. A benefit
of creating a animated music video is that
money is saved from paying for costume
changes, settings, props etc, instead the money
goes times a network/program to edit the
footage and create the animations on.

Animated: We The Kings

Stone Walls by We The Kings is another
example of an animated music video, however
unlike the previous two, this video includes lyrics
that last throughout the music video. Also unlike,
Do I wanna know? and, boys like you this
music video, is an animation taken in the form of
stop motion.
The lack of the band expresses the seriousness
of the message of sacrifice of life for love,
connoted through the sad lyrics connoted
through the tone and pitch of the band.
The lack of colours used throughout the music
video also conforms this ideology. Where black,
white and greys are used to colour the world in
this animated music video, expressing the mood
and emotions the audience should be going
through, and help control their feelings to feel
sympathy for the animated character. The only
colour comes from the pink heart he cut out of
himself in order to give to a loved one, signifies

Overall summary on Animated

There are many versions and techniques used to
create animated music videos, from stop motion
to CGI animated music videos can casts
polysemic views and express very different
emotions to their audiences.
Some common similarity in animated music
videos that I found were;
1. Colour: Colours were used as a primary
source of connecting with their target
audience, and passing through emotions for
the audience to receive and feel. This works
for both happy with the denotation of bright
vibrant colours, and sad with the lack of
colour.
2. Shapes: Shapes were used in order to portray
the animated character, this works for both to
make the character identifiable to the artist
or not. The use of the shapes to form the
character restricts realistic values, making it
redeem animated.

Disadvantages and Advantages of

Animated
Advantages:
Animated music videos can
save profits for the artists, as
where money would have been
spent on costume changes,
props, location etc. The only
money on animation goes on
the software to create the
animations.
If mistakes are made and
noticed later on in the
production of the music video,
it is easier to edit and change,
rather than with an nonanimated video which will take
re-filming.

Disadvantages:

The animated music video

might not appeal to their
target audience for various
reasons. One, because its not
the artists usual style or two,
it doesnt meet the
demographic expectations.
Animations are very difficult
to make and can be very time
consuming, therefore the
artists need skilled and
knowledgeable editors and
animators in order to achieve
the highest possible quality.

2. The Camera Shots

The way the camera is used plays a very
important part in producing a music video, it can
have and produce different effect simply by
changing the shot type, angle or movement of
the camera. There are many different shot types
that music videos use in order for their
audiences to encode different views or emotions.
Closeare
up/ahead
Here
few examples;
shot: The close up
shot consists of the
artists head, this
allows the
audiences full
focus and attention
to be on the artist.
Over the shoulder shot:

Wide shot:
This shot is used to
introduce characters
and/or the artist as well
as sending information
about them and their
surroundings- allowing
audience to connect with
who is on screen.

This shot allows the audience to see a

conversation or connection between the
character and the artist, by sharing this
inciting moment with the audience they also
feel connected.

The Camera Movements

The camera moves to follow a certain
character or artist, or even to denote
more in the frame. These movements
can include panning and tracking. Some
reasons a director may choose with
action to use include;
Telling the story as series of cuts
Transitions from one shot to another
Follow actions with the camera
Pans: A pan is when the camera is
stationery but follows the scene
horizontally or vertically. The camera is
placed on a tripod , which operates as
an stationary axis point as the camera is
turned allowing smooth movement.
Dolly/Tracking: This is when the camera
is placed and secured on a cart which
travels along a track keeping up with the

The Camera Angles

The way the camera is positions the frame
determines how the angle of the shot will
look like. There are various ways in which
the production of music video convey and
connote different images, and messages
through angles. Examples of camera angles
include;
High
Angle:
Eye level angle:
The high angle is
This is a very common
when the camera is
and basic view, being
above the subject
the real world angle
angling down
that the demographic
towards them/it. It is
are used to seeing,
used to create the
denoting the artist in a
effect of making
life of how the
them look and
audience would expect
appear less powerful
to see them in real
and less significant.
Low Angle:
life.c
A low angle does the opposite of a high
angle. The subject is shown from below,
giving the impression of them being more
dominant and powerful.

3. Soundtrack
There are two types of soundtracks used in music videos:
Non-diegetic soundtracks: Non-diegetic soundtracks are sounds that the
audience hear but the characters or the artists in the music video dont
Diegetic Soundtrack: Diegetic soundtrack is the sounds that the
audience and the character and/or artists hear in the music video.
There are different effects the editor can make with the soundtrack in
order to produce different reactions and emotions from the demographic.
Parallel:
The soundtrack can be parallel to the images on the screen meaning that
the sound fits in and relates with what is being seen
Contrapuntal:
Contrapuntal is the opposite of parallel and is when sound does not fit in
with the images. E.g images of kittens would be contrapuntal to the
sound of horrified screaming.
Aschyronhous:
Aschyronhous sound is when the soundtrack (whether non-diegetic or
diegetic) isnt in time with the images. Occasionally the artists would have
aschyronhous sound to create a weary emotion and feel to the production.
Schyronhous:
Schryonhous sound is the opposite and is when the sound is in fit with the
images.

4. Editing Techniques
There are many different editing softwares
avabile to create productions, however the most
common and popular software is Final Cut Pro X;
Final Cut Pro allows editor, to add different
effects to different shots
To sync the soundtracks to the images making
them parallel and/or scynchrous.
Cut down footage and place footage with
other footage.
Editing is the final stage in the process of
making an music video. Within editing you have
the ability to cut down scenes, add special
effects and add the non-diegetic and diegetic
soundtracks over the images.
The transitions from one cut to another in music
videos , and the jump cuts between shots are all
caused by editing.
For example, the image to the left shows a cut in
the music video , Cake by the ocean by DNCE

4. Mise-en-scene
The mise-en-scene for music video focuses on the following
key elements:
Lighting
Props
Costume
Hair and Makeup
Location
Colour
The elements above usually depend on the genre of the
music video and the style, they are also very important in
contributing towards the chosen genre. They are used to
allow the audiences to connote importance's and
connections on screen, in different ways.

Lighting
The lighting of a music video can create different views by the way
the scene is lit, it allows and encourages the audience to recognise
the genre and the style of the music video. There are four main key
lighting techniques to cast different views, they include;
High Key lighting:
The high Key lighting, brightens the scene
with a range of white and vibrant tones,
lacking in black or mid-tones. High key
lighting is used to make the scene upbeat,
optimistic and youthful.
Low Key lighting:
The low key lighting, is the opposite to
high key lighting and relies on shadows,
deep blacks and darker tones, with very
few whites and middle tones. The mood
portrays as mysterious and moody,
dramatic and even ominous depending
on the subject

Saturated Lighting;
The saturation of a colour is determined by a
combination of light intensity and how much it
is distributed across the spectrum of
wavelengths. Saturated lighting is used in
music videos to portray and connote the
atmosphere of a party vibe.

De-saturated Lighting:
De-saturated lighting is the opposite of
saturated lighting and is when the saturation
of the colour used in the scene is weak on the
spectrum of wavelengths, and is typically
used to contrast the emotions and
atmosphere of depression and sadness.

Props
Most if not all music videos use props to
illustrate the narrative, and when linking the
lyrics with visuals, props are commonly used.
The props in a music video add to the
entertainment side, and can be used in a fun
imaginative way. One music video that uses
props to make the video more entertaining is
in DNCE, Cake by the Ocean.
The use of cake brings comedic value linking
the visual of the cake to the name of the song,
Cake by the Ocean.

The pills in, I took a pill in ibiza

creates links with the name of
the song as well as the
narrative in the lyrics and song.

Costume
The costume is normally used to represent
certain characters in different ways. Different
artists would also wear different clothes
throughout their music video, to represent
what there are portraying in the music video.
Lady Gaga is a good example with her
costumes, connoting her personality
throughout her music videos and personal life.

The detached-able head in, I took a

pill Ibiza allows audience to relate
the narrative to the idea of the
everyman.

Hair and makeup

Everything a music video from the mise-en-scene to the
camera movement and shots is done for a purpose ,it
can also show a characters personality, or done as a
way of attracting the audience. Depending on the target
audience, hair and makeup is really just about style, and
fashion and whats in. It is important for the actor/artist
has the best quality costumes and the latest styles.
Hair and makeup can be displayed in many ways for
many different reasons. Here are a few examples of how
makeup and hair can give an impression. Bold and
bright makeup, and big hair can be used to show a
person is fun and the artist stand out and is
remembered by their demographic.
Lady Gagas and Nicki Minaj have been iconic artists
whom push the boundaries with their crazy costumes,
this in facts aids their performances and acts as a
marketing technique where their crazy costumes stick in
their audiences brains and gets them publicity in

Location/ Setting
The location, and setting of a music video doesnt
only show the audience were the artist is, but also
determines the genre. For example locations of a
beach, sports car, or even a party etc. would
usually be ionic of the genre pop or dance music
videos- due to the happy and lively vibe it radiates.
If the music video was filmed on a street, its a
typical location where you would find a gang, and
develop connotations that the genre is rap or hiphop.
The location influence the genre, but also be
chosen purposely to relate to the lyrics of the
song. For example, DNCE, Cake by the Ocean
music video is entirely shot on a beach, where the
title (Cake by the Ocean) is able to be linked.

Colour
The use or the lack of colour in music videos are
very important and allows the demographic to
encode a lot about the production and the artist.
Colours are shown through everything in a music
video, lighting, costumes, hair, makeup and
location, the way the camera is angled also plays a
part in positioning the colours we see in music
videos.
Colour can also be interpreted to express and
represent a feeling or mood or to signify a certain
thing.
For example some scenes in black and white
showing no colours, can be a representation or
symbolising the sense of time passed, e.g a
flashback.
It can also be done to show an emotional scenario
for example, Beyonc, If I were a boy, the lack of
colour shows the relationship between two people.