By Lois Baker

3 GENRES OF MUSIC VIDEO ANALYZED

POP MUSIC VIDEOS

Technical code:

• Shots- close up of pop star

• Lighting - Depending on the mood of the song there will either be bright lighting or dark

• Low key = moody high key = happy

• Focus- selective focus on the pop star

Symbolic code:

• Clothing-

• normally revealing clothing for women = showing they are promiscuous

• Normally non descript for men = the video is normally based more on there music

• Body language- open body language drawing listener in

• Settings- clubs, beaches and fancy house = youth quality and aspirational quality

• Objects- product placement = trying to advertise aspirational way of life

Conventions of pop music video:

• Normally 2 minutes to 3 minutes long

• Have a clear narrative

• Link between music and visuals

• References to the the artists name

METAL MUSICTechnical code:

• Low angle shots- used to make singers appear more powerful

• Lighting- almost always low key

• Selective focus on the band and musical instruments- they are the main subject music video

Symbolic code:

• clothing- normally dark clothing

• Body language- normally open language showing power

• settings- basement, depiction of hell, war scene, hospitals

• objects- skulls, crosses, gore

Conventions of metal music videos:

• Normally the longest kind of music video

• Loud music

• Have a clear narrative

RAP MUSIC VIDEO Technical code:

• Low angle shots- used to make artist appear powerful

• Low key lighting- used to make artist seem mysterious and dangerous

• Selective focus on the artist- they are the main focus of the video

Symbolic code

• Clothing- jewelry, to make appear rich and wealthy. Often wear their own brands of clothing to self promote. Street clothing to appeal to the audience.

• body language- aggressive body language, used to make artist appear intimidating

• settings- basements, abandoned building, studios, clubs, roof tops.

Conventions

• Violent music

• Normally around 3 minutes long

• have a clear narrative