Generic Conventions of Music Videos

There are many generic conventions in music videos, I am going to demonstrate these by using The Scientist by Coldplay as an example:

Varieties of different camera shots will be used to show the artist, here we can see a close up of Chris Martin.

 Camera movement is also very common within music videos as we can see from the close up the camera pans to a long shot.
Lighting is also very important within music videos, as it highlights the artist and makes them look better or more attractive which then appeals to a larger audience.

 This screenshot also demonstrates camera movement as the camera pans from Chris's feet to a full body shot.







Music directors try to include different backgrounds and scenery to keep the audience entertained.

Again, a large range of camera shots are used, here we can see an establishing shot.

Costume/outfit changes are also a generic convention of music videos, here we can see Chris in a changed outfit. This may be due to product placement or to display the artists style.






Props are generic conventions in music videos. In this video this car is a prop. Props can be used by the artist or be included within the narrative of the story.






This screenshot shows the narrative within the video, having a narrative within the music video is also a generic convention.

Digi-packs That Have Inspired Me

Miles Kane - Colour of The Trap

This album cover displays the artist, Miles Kane, in black and white and then uses large, bright pink writing to contrast with the black and white, in order to make his name stand out. A simple yet very effective album cover.
It has featured Miles Kane as the main focus of the album cover to appeal to his audience and to increase his popularity.




Gorillaz - Demon Days

Demon Days by The Gorillaz highlights all four of their animated characters. By using black and white as their main colours it allows the main focus of the album cover to be on the characters, in which case represent the artist.
The font used is in capital letters and in white to contrast with the black background. By doing this it makes the band name and album name stand out to allow its reputation to increase.




Arctic Monkeys - Whatever You Say I Am That's What I'm Not

This album cover by the Arctic Monkeys displays Chris McClure, friends of the band, smoking a cigarette. This caused controversy with the NHS as it promotes smoking. By causing controversy it causes interest to followers of the NHS and even smokers in general, which allows the albums popularity to increase further.
Also, many young people who believe smoking to be cool or mischievous would begin to feel the Arctic Monkeys are cool and therefore want the album. This is similar to the effect that an explicit content warning on the front of an album has.



Eminem - Relapse

Relapse by Eminem displays Eminem's face by using pills. This is a very artistic way to show his face whilst displaying a background story to the album. The album is about Eminem's recovery from drug addiction therefore the sticker on the front cover resembles a prescription drug label, which has been prescribed from Dr. Dre.
This creates interest with fans of Eminem as they want to know more about his recovery, and fans of Dr. Dre will also become interested due to his features within the album.
The album cover includes an explicit content warning sticker on the front which makes people (especially young people) believe that having this album is rebellious as you have to be over 18 to buy it. Therefore they will try harder to buy it, even if they are not particularly big fans of Eminem or rap music.

Music Video Director - Diane Martel

Diane has worked on famous music videos such as:




The Killers - Read My Mind

Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

Ciara ft. Justin Timberlake - Love Sex Magic










Diane Martel has directed these three music videos by Miley Cyrus, Ciara, and The Killers. Dianes' videos display similarities as all three are performance videos which focus on the main artist. Due to the artists popularity and fame, Diane can afford to keep the videos simple and focused on the artists as many fans will want to watch the artist perform to their own music.

Music Video Director - Joseph Kahn

Joseph Kahn

Joseph has worked on famous music videos such as:

Eminem - We Made You

Taylor Swift - Bad Blood













Nicole Scherzinger - Poison 

Joseph's work all share similar features to one another. In these three music videos I have selected of his, the artist is the main feature of the video, this follows Andrew Goodwin's theory of The Star, and the video is not supposed to be taken seriously but instead to show a different, more comical side of the artist. He works with upbeat songs in order to show this funny, relaxed side of the artist.
Even though the artist is the main focus of the video, he features many other actors within his videos to interact with the artist to portray the artists dominance in comparison to others.