Research into how music videos can be differentiated. Developed ideas on how different camera shots and angles can affect the audiences opinion and emotions.
Presentation on Style of Professional Music Videos
1. Professional Products:
Style of Music Videos
After completing some research into different music videos, I decided that I
would create a file on the codes & conventions that are seen in professional
music videos. I have looked closely into how music videos can change in style and
with the techniques that are used whilst filming.
2. Types of Music Video:
Performance
A performance music video consists mainly of the artists performing in the video. A clear
and modern day example of this is with the video ‘What You Know’ by Two Door Cinema
Club. This video shows the artists continuously performing the song and there is no
narrative or any other locations featured in the video. This style of music video isn’t as
very common, and it was rather difficult trying to find a video that solely based on
performance. They are not very common as the target audience will not be able to
engage with the song or video, however this example makes use of costume and lighting
to display the performance in a creative way making it more interesting for the audience.
3. Types of Music Video:
Narrative
A Narrative music video follows a plotline . There are two types of narrative music
videos – Linear and Fragmented. A linear narrative starts a story at the beginning,
goes on through the middle and there is a clear conclusion. Whereas, a fragmented
narrative does completely the opposite of this. An example of a linear narrative is
‘La La La’ by Naughty Boy ft. Sam Smith. It has a clear storyline to it and this flows
from the beginning of the music video all the way to the end.
4. Types of Music Video:
Mixture
These music videos contain a combination of performance and narrative. This is what is
commonly found in music videos as it is hard to have a pure performance or narrative.
By using both performance and narrative the video can be made more interesting and
enjoyable to watch for the audience. An example that I found was ‘Figure 8’ by Ellie
Goulding.
5. Use of Camera
The way that the camera is used when creating a music video is crucial. It can create
completely different affects with the slightest change in angle of length. Generally in music
videos, there is a wide variety of camera shots, angles and movements used to create
different emotions within the audience and to make the video different and unique.
However, there is a number of music videos that goes against the convention of various
camera angles and movements, with some videos just repeating the same shot over and
over again.
6. Camera Shots
Extreme Long Shots are often used as
establishing shots. The artists is generally seen
in these shots, but they are often very small.
These shots can be used to create themes of
isolation or seclusion.
Long Shots are used to show the artist in a
closer area, but there is still a sense of
space surrounding the shot. In the shot to
the right, Kylie Minogue is at the top of the
page, surrounded by other actors.
Mid Shots show the artist from their waist to their
head. These shots a primarily focussed on the
artist, but there is still a sense of location and
setting established.
7. Camera Shots
A Medium Close up can be used to get both
facial expressions. These are common in
emotional songs, and is used widely in this Kylie
Minogue song.
A Close Up, is again used widely in romantic
music videos. They are key in getting the
audience to recognise the emotions of the
character or the artist.
An Extreme Close Up shows the artists/
characters face very closely. It will generally focus
on the persons eyes or mouth showing the
audience the persons thoughts and feelings or
even showing a lip sync commonly used in music
videos.
8. Camera Angles
High Angle shots can be used to show
dominance or inferiority of a character. These
are commonly used in narrative music videos
as they show emotions of characters without
the need for action or dialogue.
Low Angle shots are also used to show
character emotions. Along with high angle
shots they can be used in angle-reverse-angle
shots, to show a conversation or an
interaction between characters.
An Eye line Match shot can be used to a
character being equal to another character or
the audience. Different camera angles are key
in showing the emotions of characters
without dialogue or noticeable actions.
9. Camera Angles
A Bird’s Eye shows the character/ setting
from directly above. Taken from a
completely different angle it is quite a
unnatural point of view which can be
used to add dramatic effect or showing a
different perspective. It can also show the
positions and motions of different
characters and objects, enabling the
viewer to see things the character might
not.
A Cut In can be used in music videos to
show something clearly that the lyrics
might be about. It is similar to a extreme
close up, but instead used very quickly,
and commonly showing a prop or a
iconographic piece. For instance in this
Kylie Minogue song, it is a Dove.