The Style of Music Videos
Performance
Performance is when the music video consists mainly of the artist or artists performing during the video. This type of music video isn't very common, because target audiences are not able to engage fully with the song or video. Although if done correctly with proper studio lighting, costumes and dance performances, it can become a very creative way of making a music video. Which will make the audience interested in watching.
Narrative
A Narrative music video creates a story line, there are two different types of narrative videos; narrative Linear and fragmented A Linear narrative. Fragmented A Linear starts at the beginning of the story, goes through the middle, and finishes at the end. A fragmented narrative is a music video that jumps scenes, and doesn't show the story from the beginning to the end.
Mixture
A Mixture video is a combination of performance and narrative, this is the most commonly used music video. This is because it is hard to create a music video fully focused on narrative, or performance, by using both performance and narrative the video can be made more interesting for the audience to watch and enjoyable.
Cameo
A Cameo video is were a band or artist features in a narrative video but does not perform.
The Camera
Camera Shots; these are the most common shots used in music videos, however other shots are used, to show more creative ways of displaying scenes.
Very Wide Shot - This is were the artist is shown visible, but not the main focus in the frame. Emphasising mainly on the location and setting of the video.
Wide Shot - This is were the artist is the main focus on the screen but you can still see the location/setting in the shot.
Mid Shot - This shows the artist from her/his waist to head, focusing mainly on the subject but still showing the location/setting.
Medium Close Up - This shot shows the artist from chest to head, becoming a shot half way between a mid-shot and a close up.
Close Up - This shot focus mainly on the subject, showing either mainly the artists faces or an object, were the camera focuses closely on.
Extreme Close Up - This shot shows the artists face extremely close, for example the artists eyes to mouth, showing their emotions, thoughts, feelings or lip sycning.
Over the Shoulder Shot - This is a shot used a lot in narrative videos, to show what the artist is looking at, or who the artist is talking too.
Cut In - This shot is used in music videos to show something that the lyrics might be saying, for example the artist could be singing about an ocean, and the shot will be of the ocean. This shot is similar to a close up, but used very quickly.
Camera Angles
Camera angles play a huge part in emphasising the artist or to show emotions and expressions. Other camera angles that are simply the most common in music videos, are close ups, showing lip syncing, and extreme close ups were lyrics can be linked to visuals.
Eye-Level - This is a very common view being the real world angle that we are all use to seeing, it shows subjects as we would to expect to see them in real life.
High Angle - This is were the camera shows the subject from above, and the camera is angled down towards the subject, which has the effect of making them appear less power full, less significant or even submissive.
Low Angle - This is were the subject is shown from below, giving the impression of being more powerful or dominant.
Bird's Eye - This angle is showing the subject/scene from directly above, it can be used to add a dramatic effect or showing a different perspective. It can also show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, allowing the viewer to see things the character might not see.
Slanted - This is when the camera is slanted also known as a Dutch angle were the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle, this is creative is making interesting dramatic effects.
Camera Movements
The camera moves to follow the artist or to show the performance. These movements include panning and tracking. A director may choose to move action along by telling the story as a series of cuts, going from one shot to another, or they may decide to move the camera with the action.
Pans - This is were the camera scans a scene horizontally. The camera is placed on a trip of, which operates as a station art axis point as the camera is turned, often to follow a moving object which is kept in the middle of the frame.
Dolly/Tracking - This is were the camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks for a very smooth movement.
Editing Techniques
Editing is the process in which that concludes the making of the music video. When editing you cut down scenes, add special effects and add the track to the music video, etc...
Sound
Sound consits of mainly two elements, diegetic sound which is already present in the video and non-diegetic sound which can be edited in. Sound is the main element in a music video, as that is the reason people will listen and watch the video, for the song. People do this to gain a sense f art via different artist's. Sound, like video can be edited to create different effects and variations to the normal vocals that we hear.
Sound Parallel sound is when the music matches the mood of the video. An example would be if the song was slow then the video would also be if the song was slow the the video would also be slow to go with the mood of the song. Some music videos have diegetic sound, where they include sound from the surroundings, such as cars, people talking, this is to make the video seem more realistic. The music itself is non-diegetic sound.
Mise en Scene
The Mise en Scene for music videos focus mainly on lighting, props, costume, hair and makeup, location and colour; these elements usually depend on the genre of the music video and style. These elements are also important in contributing towards music videos, and the genre of music. They are used to convey the importance of the people in the music videos, set the scene and can be used to show emotions.
- Lighting - how the scene is lit / artificial lights / side lights
- Props - performance equipment, band merchandise
- Costume - certain outfits
- Hair and Makeup - style of the artist / certain appearances
- Location - streets, parks, forests, beach etc
- Colour - specific colours representing a mood or feeling
Lighting
The lighting in a music idea can create different views b the way the scene is lit, it allows the audience to recognise the genre and style of the music video. A bright light draws the viewers attention, but a scene can be lit by using - natural lighting i.e. from the sun of light sources, or by using artificial lights, Strobe lights and coloured lights you would most likely see in a dance pop/hip hop videos, bit be very rare in country music videos.
The angle and direction of the light can also determine the genre of the music video as it gives the audience clues about what time of day the scene is taking place. The quality of light in a scene can also hide or reveal things and influence the viewers reaction.
Props
In most music videos props are used 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.
Costume
The costume is used to represent certain characters in different ways. Different artists would also wear different clothes to represent what they are portraying in the music video. Costume can also illustrate the narrative, and can relate to what the song is about. This is shown in the video were the costumes are reflecting the song, and have been used to create a imaginative, fun video also adding to the entertainment side.
Hair and Make-Up
The way an artists hair is, is done for a purpose so it can display a characters personality, or be done as a way of attracting the audience. Depending on the target audience. Hair like makeup is really just about style, and fashion and whats in fashion at the time. Its important that the appearance of the actor/artist is of good quality as they will be looked at by the audience. Hair and make-up can be displayed in many different ways, and can display different emotions, and stories.
Location
The location, and scene of a music video can not only show the audience were the artist is, but also can decide on genre, for instance locations such as the beach, car, party, club, etc; these sort of locations you would usually find in a pop music video, due to the happy lively nature they portray. The location influences the genre, but also relate to the song.
Colour
Colours are shown throughout music videos; they are presented through lighting, costumes, hair, makeup, locations. Colours are used in everyday objects and we generally see the use of colours throughout music videos displaying the genre, theme and storyline of the video. Colour can be used to represent a feeling, mood or to signify a certain thing.
