Forms and conventions
- 1. Forms and conventions of music videos In music videos code and conventions play a major part. However it is mostly divided into two different categories. The first category is the symbolic one and the second category is the technical one. Technical category involves camera techniques, editing, cinematography, lighting and diegetic and non-diegetic sound. The symbolic category involves meaning of the music video, the messages that its showing us, and it’s what makes us think deeply into the music video. There are different styles of music videos some are based on performances of the artist or the band playing instruments or singing. These are shots are often close ups of the artists. Some are narrative based, which means they have stories in them, a beginning and an end. Some have variety such as performance and narrative mixed. Some is just animation and flash, they are often very abstract and sometimes it doesn’t even relate to the video. Camera In music videos camera shots are very important, and there must be a variety of shots for it to look appealing to the audience otherwise it would just look very boring and less attractive. Close ups (CU) are mostly familiar with performance based music videos. Low angles and high angles are used very rarely but has a great effect. Panning and tilting is also used, however these camera movements has to be smooth or it will ruin the video. Crane shots are mostly used in high budget music videos, it creates a flying look that allows the camera to move around more freely. Tracking is used mostly in shots where the perform is walking or running and this also has to be very smooth in order to work good. These are all the key shots to a music video and they play an important part. Editing an Sound Even the worst video can be fixed with good editing, editing is by far the most important device in music videos along with sound. If both are coordinated well then the final piece will be amazing. There isn’t any type of editing as, editors like to experiment most of the times. The footage is edited so that it matches the sound and the cuts are usually made on the beats. Some editors prefers to have the sound wave underneath the footage while editing to make it easier to decide on the cuts. CGI is used to create special effects and it decreases the work load of filming. ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS, is an example of a special effect software along with Cinema 4D and Blender.