Conventions of a pop music video

Camera Shots

Pop music videos often have many different fast camera shots. Bands generally are portrayed in mid or long shots to show the connection and relationship between the band members. Especially in pop videos there maybe a shot of the dominant image in the centre generally the main singer and then the rest of the band are often performing slightly behind, often showing a dance routine or movement. Long shots are used alot during band videos as the pop genre generally has alot of performing and choreographed dancing in their videos. However solo artists are often shown in close ups to help them to relate more to their fans and show emotions. Birds eye view shots are often used to focus on an image and show a different angle. It is often used in pop music videos as it gives a strange and unnatural angle. A birds eye angle adds surealism to the already strange image from the scissor sisters video of the band placed in a hand. This may also add the impresssion of a God like view to the audience. Tracking shots are often used in pop videos to follow an artist or to lead the audience to another shot or scene. Pan shots are also used often to show other band members or the surrounding area and to give a wider view of the scene. Zoom in/out affects are also used alot in disjuncture pop music videos to focus on objects or identify fine detail, that the audience may not have noticed otherwise.

Editing

Lots of editing techniques are used in pop music videos. Especially in our style of video as fast

songs have lots of cuts showing different shots flash on and off screen. This makes the video match the tempo of the song and makes it more interesting to look at for the audience. Another popular editing technique is the use of a green screen or plain background. This is then edited to create a bright vibrant background to the band, it can also be used to add effects to change the colour or detail to clothing items, objects and props. Effects are also often used to create a pattern on the background. Transitions are also used to change from one shot to another, this can be done in many form such as a dissolve, zoom or fade movement. This makes it more interesting to the audience and helps to reflect the theme's that were aimed for in the music video. A popular one for our style of video is a distorted effect that would help to add surealism to our footage.

Lighting

Lighting is portrayed very bright and lively in pop music videos. Flashing lights are often used as an effect to add energy to the video and the shot is generally always bright and well lit. In some shots you may find the edges darker and the centre brighter often on the dominant artist to enhance the star image.

Mise en scene

In any music video's mise en scene is carefully thought about. Each object or item is carefully selected for a particular reason and everything seen by the audeience on screen is there for a reason. In music videos props and costumes pay an important role. Costumes and make up are carefully selected and are often over the top to fit the style of the song.