Pop Music Videos
There are
many convention commonly used in pop videos, in the video below is the
video Katy Perry - Last Friday, I have used this video to show the
conventions.
Upbeat -
Instantly as you play the video you can hear the upbeat song. Pop genre
songs majority of the time are upbeat with a fast pace.
Bright Colours -
Also as you can see there is a use of bright colours. Pop videos to
mimic the pace of the beat (exciting, fast, up-tempo) use retro, bright,
block colours to create that fun, party atmosphere. In this music video
the colour hot pink, yellow, purple etc. are use continuously
throughout the video.
Locations -
Location based on the lyrics is usually party/club scene, as the
intention of pop music is to generally be played in clubs or at party.
Likewise in this music video the location used is in a house to create a
house party.
Costume -
Pop genre similar to hip hop videos always have a variety of costumes.
For example in this music Katy Perry costumes changes from a dungaree
with a turtle neck, to a bodycon skirt and crop top. There is also a
part in the music video where she is wearing a long medieval gown.
Instruments -
Unlike rock/indie music videos you tend not to see instruments in the
music video for example Ke$ha - Tik Tok, however nowadays pop music
videos do not always tend to stick to that convention; Katy Perry - Last
Friday Night, is a great example as there is a saxophone solo
performance in the music video.
Dance Sequences -
Pop videos tend to have a dance sequence in their music videos, this
usually to encourage the audience to dance, as well as making the music
video more entertaining.
Heavy Metal Music Videos
Similar to
Pop videos there are conventions which are used repetitively used in
metal music videos. I have decided to use the music video 'Psychosocial'
by Slipknot to highlight these examples.
Dark Lighting/Setting -
Heavy metal music videos always have a sinister atmosphere to it. As
you can see in the Slipnot video, the lighting is very dark, there is
fire in many of the shorts giving it that 'hellish' setting.
Performance Based - Majority
if not all metal music videos are performance based. Slipknot music
video is a beautiful example. As you can see all instruments used to
create the song is shown in the video; the band is performing.
Costume -
The costume is clothing is always dark to fit the theme of the video,
black is prominently used in their attire. In the case of this music
video not only are their attire black but they are also wearing scary
looking mask.
Fast Pace - Heavy metal songs are always fast pace, electric guitars are constantly used to usually get the audience adrenaline 'pumping'.
Camera Angle - Camera angles are always shaky, to mimic the chaotic setting as well as the fast pace of the song.
Hip Hop Music Videos
All Hip Hop
music videos all share similar conventions. Using Trey Songz ft T.I - 2
Reason, I will underline the similar conventions used.
Props/Location -
Similar to pop videos nowadays hiphop songs are situated in a club or a
house party. Although they are also some hip hop music videos which are
located in a expensive house. The theme of wealth is prominently shown
through hip hop music videos, therefore props such as expensive cars,
expensive alcohol even literal money is shown. For example in Trey Songz
music videos, it is in a club, there is expensive alcohol everywhere,
along with many beautiful girls.
Costume - To
follow the theme of wealth prominently shown in hip hop music videos.
The attire that the artist wear are usually very expensive, which not
only makes them look wealthy but promotes the clothing line.
Promotions -
Hip Hop videos love to promote products in their videos, from perfumes,
clothing to cars and alcohol. As you can clearly see in this music
video the expensive drink is Grey goose is promoted as well as french
drink.