Research: Music Video Conventions

    The song I decided to make a music video for is Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani, which is in the pop genre. Common lighting within this genre is very bright. Normally there is not much dark lighting, as pop songs are often very happy and upbeat. In order to make the music video go with the song, bright lighting is used. In addition, bright colors can be seen throughout many music videos within this genre as well for the same reason as the lighting: to correspond with the music being heard. Camera angles and shots commonly seen in pop music videos include eye level angles, shoulder level angles, full shots, medium shots, medium closeups, and two shots. As many songs, and music videos, in the pop genre are about love, many of these shots and angles will be used to show the relationship between the people within the music video. Zooms are also seen in many of these music videos and are used to amplify how a person is feeling. In some pop music videos, for example, a person may be heart broken or sad. The zoom will be used in this case to amplify how they are feeling. The closeup camera shot is also seen, but not in as many music videos as medium closeup shots. Pop music videos include a wide range of props, as the setting and story line varies from video to video. Some music videos may include several scenes of people within the video at a pool party, therefore using inflatable rafts or pool toys, while others may be based in a bedroom, using props such as a notebook or pencil. Overall, some of the props used include smartphones, instruments, and microphones. Smartphones are often used to display communication between characters within the video and instruments as well as microphones are used within scenes where a band or solo artist is singing along to their music. Many artists in the pop genre will include an ongoing story line within the music video and separate scenes of them singing along to their music. The scenes where an artist is singing to their music are where the instruments, such as guitars or a drum set, and microphones are used. Makeup is often used and consists of bright colors on the eyes using eyeshadow and occasionally glitter as well. The story line, again, also effects the amount and type of makeup being used as well. Costumes are either extravagant or consist of normal clothes. Depending on the story line, the costumes will be simple clothes such as jeans and a t-shirt or two-piece matching outfits with glitter and intricate designs. The setting also varies but is often within houses, schools, or malls. Editing changes between music videos, as some pop music videos may include mythical creatures and heavy, unrealistic/fantastical editing, while other pop music videos may include minimal editing that makes the music video look realistic. Overall, common elements within pop music videos include bright colors and scenes of characters dancing, shopping, or singing.