Task 2- Conventions of a music video

This task comprised of me deconstructing each of the 5 chosen videos into individual shots. I look at the individual componants of them, including sound, camera, editing and mise en scene.


I identified similarities (conventions) within the genre, for example:

• Deliberate loss of focus on close ups, intended for effect (mystery).
• Extreme close ups kept to a minimum- once of twice maximum within the video.
• Use of light for stylistic effect- lens flares and backlighting.
• Natural movement left in shots- tripod rarely used. This is to avoid jerky transitions.
• Symmetry sometimes used in close ups and mid shots.
• Double speeded music when filming so half speeded in post production to get slow, smooth and dramatic movement.
• Cutaways to object of significance or a stylized lighting effect. Typically used as a transition between a setting change.
• Loose wavy, natural looking hair (mise en scene).
• Filters used with blend mode to lighten shadows slightly. This makes video look smoother and more professional.
• Filters used with blend mode to create a cohesive colour tint throughout, even through varying settings.
• Empty outdoor settings (mise en scene).
• Minimal mid shots- typically extreme shots eg. close ups and extreme long shots (Carol Vernallis).

These identified conventions within my genre will be used to refer to when storyboarding my own music video to ensure it is fitting with my genre. Also, these are things I have found to be effective within these music videos and therefore will inspire me.