This document discusses several conventions of pop music videos. It explains that pop music videos are usually very performance-based, with bright colors and trendy fashion. Narratives in music videos often reflect the song's meaning and include elements of love. Visuals in videos are typically linked to lyrics to help viewers remember them. Common shots used include long shots, close-ups, and mid shots to showcase emotions, costumes, and locations. Editing aims to sync with the music's beat. Examples then analyze the locations, costumes, shots, and narrative/performance balance in specific music videos.

1. Conventions of a Music Video

2. Pop music videos usually are extremely
performance based with the artist or the band lip
syncing to a pre recorded audio, as well as dancing,
portraying a narrative story with reflects the
meaning of their video. Pop genre music videos are
usually very bright, with the artist wearing trendy
up to day with fashion clothes, if it is a sadder song
then this may be toned down a little bit. Pop music
videos have a reputation for being run and light
hearted as their target market are usually young
teenage girls therefore appealing to their intrests.

3. Within the majority of music videos
there is a link between the lyrics
and the visuals on the screen. By
linking the two together it often
aids people when remembering the
lyrics if they remember the visuals.
‘I came in like a wrecking ball’
‘I whip my hair back and forth’
‘And were gonna let it burn’

4. The majority of music videos that are
produced had some element of love
intertwined within the narrative. This is
because it is to appeal to their target
audience as people feel that they can
Identify with the narrative or a certain
character.

5. Camera
For the majority of pop music videos Long Shots,
Establishing Shots, Close Ups, Extreme Close Ups
and Mid Shots are used. By having a range of
different shots it adds to the visual effect of the
music video. The music videos may also track the
artist for a series of movements following them this
could either be for a performance or narrative
sequence of the video. Camera angles also add to
the overall effect of the video as it is how we view
either the performer or a character within the video
for example a low angle shot will show power
equally a high angle shot will show vulnerability.

6. Mid Shots
Mid shots are very common in music videos especially in performance scenes. Mid
shots are often used instead of a long shot so that the audience can see the facial
movements of the artist and how they are interpreting the lyrics that they are
singing. Mid Shots are also used for group shots like the one in the top left of Katy
Perry in California Girls. Mid shots also allow us to see the majority of the costume
and it doesn’t become a long shot until you can see the whole body including the
feet.

7. Close ups
Close ups are used frequently throughout the majority of music videos. The main
reason for using a close up it to gain and insight and to view the emotions of the
artist face because there is nothing going on in the background to distract our
attention. A close up may be used more in a emotional song so show heartbreak,
sadness so that we can really connect with the performer. However some artists
use close ups purely for the visual effect that it has to the overall look of the video
such as lady gaga uses hem for her performance shots.

8. Long Shots
Longshots are used equally as much as Mid shots and Close
ups as it shows the whole artist as well as the
location/background of that specific scene. This middle shot
of Miley Cyrus in her newest music video Wrecking ball Is an
example of the effect that a long shot provides to us the
audience. We are able to see the full costumer that she is
wearing and that she dragging a sledge hammer across the
floor as well as the background that she has destroyed that
then links to previous scenes.

9. Editing
In editing jump cuts are used frequently for the
transition from one scene to the next as it is a quick
sudden change. However in some music videos
fades and dissolves are very common also as they
create a different and unique edit and effect to the
video. It is also important that the editing fits to the
beat of the music this is something that theorist
Carol Vernallis suggested. The transition should feel
effortless for the audience when it fits to the music
because often what is going on, on the screen
should be in relation to the lyrics therefore the two
should be edited In sync with each other.

10. Ellie Goulding- Burn
Locations Used
The main locations for this video was on a run way and in
grassy fields. These were the locations that were used
throughout the video but by the way that the camera was
positioned made it look as if there was a wider range of
locations used where in fact it was the same ones just
appearing at different angles.
Costumes/Props
There were 2 different types of costume for Ellie. These were
the black hoodie and denim shorts that she wears for the
majority of the video and then also the cream two piece top
and shorts that she wears towards the end of the music
video.
Shot Types
Mid shot, long shot, low angle, long shot, establishing shot,
close ups, tracking shots, high angle.
Performance to narrative
Within this music video there was a higher proportion rate of
performance to narrative, however the narrative was still
very strong and did play a major part to the music video.

11. Justin Timberlake- Mirrors
Location
Bedroom, mirrors, club, snooker room, museum.
Costumes
Black and white, old fashioned.
Shot Types
Extreme close up, close ups, mid shot, two shot, panning, over the shoulder shots.
Performance to narrative
In this music video there was a higher proportion or narrative to performance which doesn’t fit the traditional
conventions of music videos as most of the shots are featured around the performer performing rather than other
people in the video taking the attention of of the a artist.

12. Saturdays- Gentlemen
Location
Location was very glamorous In the gardens which then fitted with the narrative and costumes, there was also the poker table which
was a major part of the video in general.
Shot types
Two shots, long shot, low angles, panning, extreme close ups, establishing shots, mid shots. High angled shots.
Performance to narrative
In this video I believe that there is a greater proportion of performance to narrative. There is very little narrative scenes in comparison
to the constant and frequent performance shots that are used throughout the majority of the video.
Costumes
There were two different costumes for each of the performers which were the long evening dresses and then in the poker game scenes
towards the end it is revealed that infact those are not gentle men they are ladies wearing suites which is there second change of
costume