Codes and conventions

What are codes and conventions

The codes and conventions of music videos are the
different techniques used to construct meanings within
them. These techniques can be divided into two types.
These include:
Technical and Symbolic

Technical Techniques
Technical How meaning is conveyed using technical
equipment.
This can be shown through the different camera angles in
which are used also the different non diegetic and
diegetic sound in which is denoted can be considered as a
technical technique as well as pace and style of editing

Symbolic techniques
a Symbolic technique is connotative code and convention
In which shows the deeper meanings of a media product.
For example: The facial expressions, gestures and the mis
en scene

Different reasons for codes and

conventions in music videos
1) To enable the audience to familiarizes themselves with
a particular genre. As the constant representations of
the same codes and conventions enable them to relate
to and recognize the genre
2) It provides a detailed structure to a genre which the
audience can Cleary understand
3) To ensure that the lyrics of the song fit in to the video
to an extent in which is understandable to the
audience

The codes and conventions

There are many codes and conventions for music videos , these include:
The style
The camera
The editing
The mis en scene
Stereotypes
Sound
However the codes and conventions do vary between genres , the ones
listed above are a generic summary of the codes and conventions in which
are always considered

Performance
Performance is when the music video consists mainly of the artists
performing in the video. One example of this is Bruno Mars- When I
was your man. This music video shows the artist continuously
performing the song. Through the music video there is zero narrative
or any form of acting. The video from start to finish consists only of
Bruno mars singing his song. This style of music video is not very
popular due to the fact it is purely dedicated to a performance
rather than a story in which the audience can engage with and relate
to. Narratives are also considered more enjoyable

Narrative
A narrative music video is one in which tells a story. There
are two types of narrative: Linear and fragmented. A
linear narrative is one in which has a Start, Middle and
End. A fragmented one does not. An example of this is
Sigma- Nobody to love. This song shows a story of two
young women on holiday. This follows the Linear Structure
as it has a beginning , middle and end.

Mixture
Mixture music videos are a combination of performance and
narrative. This technique is found in the majority of music
videos as developers usually struggle to only do one. Using
both techniques makes the video much more enjoyable for
the demographic as it is much more engaging.

Cameo
Cameo is a music technique where the band or artist are
in the narrative but do not perform. Ed Sheerans
Thinking out loud Shows him performing in the narrative
but not actually singing or performing

Camera
The way the camera is used is very crucial when producing
a music video. It creates many different effects and the
different angles and movements can give the audience
different interpretations.
The different camera techniques are:
Camera shots
Camera Angles
Camera movements

Camera shots
Music videos feature many different camera angles throughout to denote different things to the
audience. They are also used to show the audiences all the different things that are happening.

Very wide shot: This where the

location and setting is the setting
is the focus. Although the artist
may be visible somewhere
Wide shot: This is were the artist
takes up a large proportion of the
shot but the background and
setting is still the focus
Mid shot: This is where the artist
is the focus on the screen. They
take up the majority of the space
but the location is still shown

Medium close up: The shot is

half between a medium shot and
a close up. This shows the artist
from chest to head.
Close up: This is a shot in
which shows the artists face.
It can also be used to show the
audience an object in the
scene
Extreme Close-Up- This shows
the artists face from extremely
close. An extreme close up
usually focuses on eye or a
mouth with the effect of
connoting how the artist is
feeling

Over the shoulder shot- This is a shot

commonly used in narrative based music
videos while the artist is have a
conversation with one of the characters
on screen. It is also used to show the
artist looking at something.

Cut-In: This is a shot in which shows

something the lyrics might be saying.
For example: I will stab you with a
knife the knife will then appear on
the screen. In the shot to the right, the
artist says Read my lyrics off of this
paper then the paper appeared

Camera Angles
The Camera angle is where the camera is position on the screen. It is the angle the
camera is at when it a shot is being recorded.

Eye level- This is angle where the

camera is at eye level with the artist.
This shows the artists how we would all
expect to see them in real life. If we
were to have a conversation with them
High angle- This is a shot in which the
camera is looking down at the artist or
the object of focus. This sometimes is
used to connote them as being less
dominant or less powerful. However it
can also be used for a different
interpretation

Low angle- This a shot where the

artist or object is show from below,
sometimes given the demographic
the impression that they are more
powerful.

Birds Eye View- This is a shot

looking from directly above. This
type of shot is used to give a
dramatic effect or gives a different
perspective. It is also used to show
things to characters may not
actually see
Slanted- This is where the camera
is at a slanted angle and is
purposely tilt. This makes the video
more engaging and interesting for
the audience

Editing Techniques