Basic Codes and Conventions of Music Video

General Codes and Conventions

    * The Style
    * The Camera
    * The Editing Techniques
    * The Sound (Nondiegetic and Diegetic)
    * Mis En Scene (Props, Lighting, Costumes, Hair and Makeup, Colors, and Location/Setting)
    * Notions of Looking (Stereotyping)

There are two types of techniques used in music videos that help them to convey meaning.

Technical Technique- meaning conveyed through technical equipment

• The way camera angles are used

• Different types of shots and movements

• Diegetic vs Nondiegetic sound

• The pace and style of editing

• The genre

Symbolic Technique- meaning beyond what you can see

• Facial Expressions

• Gestures

• Poses

• Mis En Scene

Reasons for Codes and Conventions 

      -  Provides a structure that the audience will understand

      -  Ensures that lyrics will fit with expectations of the music

      -  Different conventions for different genres helps audiences identify the type of music