music video codes and conventions

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                                     Music Video Codes and Conventions

For my production work I am making a live performance music video for a friends band. To get influence for my video I analysed three live performance music videos from different bands to get a good understanding of the typical codes and conventions used in them.

 

   Heights-Dead Ends -->

The first video I looked at was from a band called “Heights” and the song is called “Dead Ends”. The video has a good number of codes and conventions that make the video as good as it is.

·      The video is all in black and white

·      It starts with a stage crew setting up the equipment.

·      The band performs a ritual before they go on.

·      Bands logo and song title.

·      A strong use of depth of field.

·      Numerous venues.

·      Shots of the crowd clapping and singing along.

·      The band signing autographs.

·      A lot of focusing is on the singer.

·      Extreme close ups of members playing their instruments.

·      Timing of the cuts matches the timing of the song.

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 Don Broco-Fancy Dress

The second music video I analysed was “Fancy Dress” by the band “Don Broco”. Again this video uses similar conventions to the last but this one has more venues shown. This shows how “Don broco” is bigger and gig more than “Heights”.

·      Montage showing each band member.

·      Multiple locations and venues.

·      Footage of the band messing around backstage.

·      Footage from inside the tour bus.

·      Timing of cuts is perfect with the song.

·      Shots showing the crowds reaction and singing along.

·      Time lapse of setting up the stage.

·      Close ups of each member.

·      Hand held camera makes you feel like your part of the crowd.

 Pierce the Veil-Hell Above

The third video I analysed was “Hell Above” by the band “Pierce the Veil”. This is also a live performance video that uses similar codes and conventions to the others that make it a perfect example of a good live video. This video uses more footage of the fans then the others because “Pierce the Veil” are much bigger than the other two and have a much bigger fan base that they can show in their videos.

·      Fans chanting the bands name.

·      The bands logo used for intro.

·      Shots of the band queuing outside the gigs.

·      Time lapse of the stage being built.

·      Close ups of the band preparing for the gig.

·      Shots of band doing pre gig warm-ups.

·      Close ups of each member playing.

·      Close up of guitars.

·      Footage of band signing autographs.

·      Footage of the band meeting the fans outside the venue.

·      Majority of shots of the band playing are from a low angle. Puts the viewer in the audience’s position.

·      Footage of the band on the tour bus.

All three videos use these codes and conventions on a great level and by doing this it has ensured that a perfect live video has been made. By capturing footage from multiple gigs and also footage from backstage or on the tour bus it gives the viewer an inside look on what touring as a band is like. I have studied all of these codes and conventions that are typical of live performance music videos and I will take influence from them in my own production. Because the band I am using is not big I wont be able to get shots of big crowds so to overcome this I will take footage of the people at the front from a low angle to make it look busier. I also want to ensure that I get some good footage of the band messing about and unloading the equipment out of their cars as this sort of footage works well and adds a fun side to the video away from them playing. I will make sure that I go to more than one gig so that I can get more footage of them playing the chosen song. Different gigs also mean that the band wont be wearing the same clothes in every shot as well which makes it look like they are on tour rather than doing a one off gig.