Conventions Of Music Videos

Recently during class, altogether we came up with a list of conventions of a music video.

Here is what we thought of:

• Lip Sync


• MTV Cutting/ Editing matches beat


• Pastiche/Parody/Homage/Intertextuality


• Purpose - To promote band, promote song, sell product


• Act out 'story' of the song


• Direct address by performer (breaking the 4th wall)


• In-concert 'as live' footage (more naturalistic)


• Symbolism


• Artificial Performance (non-naturalistic, like a classic musical where they burst into song)


• Challenging or using existing memes and tropes


• Interpretive abstract approach


• Narrative/mini-movie approach (compressed narrative)


• Choreography


• Multiple locations, situations and costumes


• Genre affects style


• Montage, anchored by music