2) Research - Codes and Conventions

 A way of constructing meaning in media texts. This is divided into two different categories: Technical and Symbolic. 

         Technical:

         The technical side to this is how various types of equipment and technology are used in different ways to construct a meaning.

            - Camera – Different angles & shots… The camera angles and shots are very important when telling a story in any media film/music video. It can make the difference between a professional looking product and a low budget home movie.

         - Editing – The pace and style of editing. This is very important to set the mood of the story and put it all together, along with colour correcting or possibly adding black bars for a more 'film style look'.

         - Sound – Diegetic / Non-diegetic, genre... All these features are very important for a music video. You want to get the correct style of sound for the video you are making, this is of vital importance to make sure the audience enjoy what you are presenting as the story behind the song.

        

         Symbolic: 

         The meaning that is created but is not always obvious to see (for example) Specific emotions and facial expressions - Mise-en-scene.

         The reason for codes and conventions… Codes and conventions are a firm set of rules / way of doing things. Can be adapted but shouldn’t be challenged on too great a level. It allows the audience to become familiar with a certain genre as they become accustomed to seeing certain things. It also ensures that a certain text works well and fits into it’s genre.

        

         Styles of Music Video's

         Music video’s can be categorized in terms of style. 

         These are:

          Performance – Band / artist playing. 

         Narrative – Includes story. 

         Mixture – Both performance and narrative based. 

         Cameo – Band / artist features in the narrative but doesn’t perform. (Foo Fighters) 

         Animation – Digitally (flash) / Stop-frame.

         Camera

         - Variety of shots depending on the style A lot of CU’s (especially in performance music videos).

          - Perhaps even ECU of lips, guitar strings being strummed, etc…

          -Crane shots 

         – hovering over stage. Low-angles. LS and ELS. Pans / tilts 

         – move from different performers & tracking.

         - telling a story in any media film/music video. It can make the difference between a professional looking product and a low budget home movie.

         - Editing – The pace and style of editing. This is very important to set the mood of the story and put it all together, along with colour correcting or possibly adding black bars for a more 'film style look'.

         - Sound – Diegetic / Non-diegetic, genre... All these features are very important for a music video. You want to get the correct style of sound for the video you are making, this is of vital importance to make sure the audience enjoy what you are presenting as the story behind the song.

        

         Styles of Music Video's

         Music video’s can be categorized in terms of style. 

         These are:

          Performance – Band / artist playing. 

         Narrative – Includes story. 

         Mixture – Both performance and narrative based. 

         Cameo – Band / artist features in the narrative but doesn’t perform. (Foo Fighters) 

         Animation – Digitally (flash) / Stop-frame.These are:

                   Performance – Band / artist playing. 

                  Narrative – Includes story. 

                  Mixture – Both performance and narrative based. 

                  Cameo – Band / artist features in the narrative but doesn’t perform. (Foo Fighters) 

                  Animation – Digitally (flash) / Stop-frame.

                  Camera

                  - Variety of shots depending on the style A lot of CU’s (especially in performance music videos).

                   - Perhaps even ECU of lips, guitar strings being strummed, etc…

                   -Crane shots 

                  – hovering over stage. Low-angles. LS and ELS. Pans / tilts 

                  – move from different performers & tracking.

                  AN EXAMPLE OF A STUDIO SET UP:

        

         In this image I filmed a studio performance using 2 Canon 5D Mark 2's, one on a glide track and the other on a monopod and a Canon 60D on a shoulder rig. Lenses used were 24-105mm, 50mm and 16-35mm.

         Final product achieved:

        

         Editing and Sound 

         There are many different editing techniques used in music videos. Music videos usually feature jump cutting. Footage is usually edited to match the music. Split-screens / CGI Choosing to include Diegetic sound. Change in levels of sound.

         Mise-en-scene - The mise-en-scene can vary greatly depending on the genre of music and the type of music video.

          Props – performance equipment, band merchandise. 

         Costume – certain outfits. Location – concert halls, venues, streets… Facial expressions.