Genre Conventions Essay

Codes and conventions used in music videos are recognized by the audience, this then develops those codes and conventions to form different genres which the audience is then able to establish and recognize the different genres of music. Stereo-typically men and women can be represented in different ways to each other, in the case of men, the male is seen to be addressing the viewer directly as he is supposed to be singing at the audience. The female figure is often an object of the male desire. This is why most females in music videos are often dressed and posed in very sexual and desirable ways.

I analysed the music video ‘The Funeral’ by Band of Horses where I found a mixture of stylistics being used through cinematography and mise-en-scene. Medium close ups were used mostly throughout the music video which is common in music videos but also some close ups of the protagonist in the video were included to create a bond with them and the audience which is common in most music videos. This also helps the audience to relate and recognize the artist and also the situation happening in the video which reflects the song lyrics. The costume they wore was old worn out suits; the setting was industry working class areas and working men’s clubs. This gives the impression of the genre and language of the video, i.e. an old fashioned story along with the edit used (home video).

Depending on the genre of the music video the type of camera movement can vary, for pop music videos they will be fixed cameras with smooth movements, an example could be The Saturdays ’30 Days’ or in indie music videos they will be use of steadi-cam where the camera will be shaky and the video will contain jerky movements, an example would be Kasabian ‘Rewired’.




The narrative of the music video is determined by the lyrics of the song. In the song ‘Born To Die’ by Lana Del Rey the title of the song gives an overview of what the video will be about, the narrative of the video is the two characters relationship was doomed from the start as the run away with each other and have a lust filled road trip but are involved in an accident which claims their lives. The title of the song ‘Born to Die’ suggests and also reinforces this idea and thus supports the narrative. It can also promote a film with clips from the film and also includes a story, mimic other film and TV genres like horror or sci fi, an example would be Backstreet Boys ‘Everybody (Backstreet's Back)’.

Editing within the music video is important as the lip syncing makes the video look the most professional and pristine. Jump cuts are common in most music videos as the video is a montage edit so will add to the narrative also. Depending on the genre of the music video the edit will set the mood and feel to it, whether it is a slow paced song with slow cuts and slow motion edit used or fast paced video with fast cuts, edits and action sequences an example could be Coldplay ‘The Scientist’.

Having diegetic sound-at the beginning and ending of some music videos with scenes but no music can help to explain what is going on during the music video. It can also start or finish the narrative. Changes in the levels of sounds- in certain areas of the song is common, the music level changes for effect from the audience, for narrative reasons or to just suit what is going on within the scenes.