Codes and conventions of a Pop Music Video

Cinematography

There are two common structures of a pop song. One being a solid performance video, focusing on the artist and the way he/she creates the emotion. And a narrative/ performance video, creating a story based on the lyrics of the song.

Medium shots and Long shot are used to create a scene and setting to the audience. This can also be shown through a Close up.
Establishing shots are used to indicate the location.

Two other shots commonly used in pop videos are; Over the shoulder shots and high and low angle shots. 

It is found that most music videos try and be creative by utilising the visuals of the camera angles. This entices the audience and has a unique selling point.

In Peter Andrew’s music video, ‘Unconditional’ starts with an establishing shot.
This shows the audience that the video is taking place in a musical theatre. It is a common way to start a music video. 

Camera Movements

Common camera movements used in a pop song are: Tracking, panning, tilt and arc shots.

At the beginning of Will Young’s, ‘Jealousy’ the camera movement portrays the characteristics, and creates realism within the story.

Editing

Common editing techniques are, montage, continuity, transitions, eye line match, match on action, shot reverse shot and a cut.
The editing techniques are there to illustrate the changes within a music video. The way the video creates a change of mood and changes the atmosphere through the lyrics is shown through the quick transitions, and the continuity in the lyrics. 

Mise-en scene

Mise-en scene consists of 5 key points. Location, Props used, Lighting, Costumes, and Characters to the audience. Through the mise-en scene, the audience is meant to know the theme, and the creation of the atmosphere.

In a performance video, the artist, or band singing the song is shown giving the audience a connection with the artist or band. One of the best music videos to show this, is Peter Andrew’s ‘Unconditional’.
In a narrative video, the mise-en scene needs to have a strong establishing shot to outline the style of the narrative. In Pixie Lotts ‘Broken Arrow’, Pixie lott is part of the narrative story. You will find that not every artist will take part in the narrative alongside the performance.  

Sound
Sound is a major part to a music video. It consists of diegetic, non diegetic and a voiceover. An advantage of a voiceover is, it helps to tell the meaning of the lyrics, or the narrative. A music video I know that contains a voiceover is Jessie J, ‘Nobody’s Perfect’.