Music Video Codes & Conventions

Codes & Conventions
Music videos are generally made up of a key set of conventions; things that you are most likely to see in music videos, or stereotypically. Generally codes and conventions change according to the genre of the band/artist, however common aspects usually appear and are general to a range of different artists.
General conventions include:-lip syncing or performance-music and tempo drives the editing-genre is reflected via mise-en-scene-lyrics drive the action in the video-digital effects are used to play with images-fast cut montage is one of the most common forms of editing, as a way to enhance repetition.-close ups are used regularly to show the main artist
TheoriesAndrew Goodwins theory
There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the lyrics.- There is a relationship between the music and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the music.- Genres are complex and diverse in terms of music video style and iconography- Record companies will demand a lot of close-ups of the main artist or vocalist- Voyeurism is present in many music videos, especially in the treatment of females, but also in terms of systems of looking. Some examples are screens within screens, cameras, mirrors, etc.- there are likely to be intertextual references, either to other music videos or to films and TV texts, these provide further gratification and pleasure for the viewers/fans.
John Stewarts theory
-Music videos have the aesthetics of a TV commercial, with lots of close-ups and lighting being used to focus on the lead artists face.-Visual references in music videos come from a range of sources, although the 3 most frequent are cinema, fashion and art photography.-The music video is “incorporating, raiding and reconstructing”, essentially the essence of intertextuality, taking what the audience may find familiar, to generate both nostalgic associations and new meanings.-The music video allows more access to the performer than a stage performance can. In particular the mise-en-scene, can be used to emphasise and create an aspirational lifestyle.Roland Barthes theory- ‘the grain of voice’- Vocal sounds are understood as music and can greatly influence the music video.
Different types of music videos & conventions
Illustration- illustrated music videos usually include performance or narration and generally illustrate lyrics and visualise the music. This type of music video is quite simple and is also known as ‘denotation’ of the song, it communicates the idea behind the song and the visuals and lyrics are usually closely related.Amplification- the conventions of this type of music video combine both music performance and narrative, they tend to amplify the idea behind the music and lyrics and go toward a creative interpretation, not always so simplistic. This type of video generally include quite unique ideas, often with a sense of surrealism or make-believe, however always have a direct to the song, also known as connotative, usually linking to the song, title or artist.Disjuncture- this video type usually concludes of rather abstract ideas, with no true link to the music, title, lyrics or artist. In general these videos are very disjointed from the nature of the song and can have quite a strong effect, if done in an effective manner.
Conventions of performance in music videosBand performance
-Usually these music videos present authenticity in the performance, making the audience believe that they are genuinely playing live.- This authenticity is communicated via the use of lip syncing and close ups of the lead singer, also communicating status.-Camera shots of the instruments being played is also common.-repetition of shots within the chorus of the song enhances repeatability.- Crane shots are often used to emulate the illusion of view from the audience.
Solo Artist performance
-Usually very staged and choreographed.-Often with a range of dance routines.-Many close up shots of the lead singer.-Cutting between the performance and artist is quite dominant throughout the video.-Lead artist generally takes on the lead role in the video, or as the narrator in storyline.

The Crookes, Final Video Idea
Chorus Of Fools...(8)
The inspiration from the Maccabees music video 'Tooth Paste Kisses' inspired us by its poetic and fairytale like mood and theme. The Crookes are a very successful band and their main influeneces is due to their early studies of English Language and Literature. In their interview they continually quote that the lyrics and theme of their songs flow from the knowledge and passion that they have as English students.What inspires you?Musically.. the above, and i guess as all English Literature students we're pretty inspired by different types of literature.What are the main themes or topics that arise in your music?Daniel uses a lot of literary references in the lyrics, the songs are often about fictional people who become the basis for a story. The songs are normally stories opposed to self-indulagent love songs.'Chorus of fools' is one of the Crookes favourite songs this is due to the poet lyrics and beat which it consists of. This therefore has a massive influence of the band as a whole; lyrics, beat and look. The Crookes are also very family orientated and down to earth.What’s the origin of your band name?Well it was mine (Alex) and Daniel's idea really, we lived in Crookes in our first year of university and opposite the road from our accomidation was a sign for 'Crookes' so we went from there really.Here you can see importance of their home ties and how much it has influenced the band- leading to the bands name. This is a big reason why we have chosen to include family photographs and images of the band and their home roots in our music video. We think that the band would love this idea as it gives background knowledge of the band to the audience.'Toothpaste Kisses' is a unique video with very different ideas to a traditional music video, so we thought this sort of thing would be appropriate for the Crookes. The style and animation of our music video will evoke the poetic and lyrical vibe that the band has. The huge influence of the band and their poetic and literacal background has inspired us to take this aspect further. The main animation of our music video will be a book which will tie in all the footage and animations to make the video run smoothly and as effectively as possible. As we flick through the book, each page will consist of a different photograph this will then turn to film footage as e zoom in to the photo. This is turn is tying in both film and still animation to create a poetic effect. The animations will enable us to play around with the images and create a music video which will give The Crookes justice. We will collect images and photographs from the 1950s and photographs of The Band members and their family. We will also include some film footage of our cast performing 'Chorus of Fools' this in turn will add to the music video and create a change and interest from the anaimations which will make up the majority of the video. We want to keep the theme of the 1950s and we will add to this by having the video in the Sepia Tone effect, but making sure we are keeping the true colour of the 1950s photographs which have collected, to keep their authenticity. In certain parts of the music video to again enhance the poetic and lyrical theme we will but emphasis on certain lyrics to make them speak out to the audience.