Conventions of Pop Music Videos

Conventions of a pop music video:

Cinematography:

• Large amount of close ups

A very large amount of pop music videos have a large amount of close ups and a large focus on the artist, mainly the lead vocalist. This allows the audience to look at the singer, creating a connection with them.

(Riahanna - Shut Up And Drive)

(Britney Spears - Toxic)

• Shot types make the artist look vulnerable

This is more common in pop music videos, in which the artist is female. The shots make the artist look vulnerable to increase the amount of sex appeal for male audience.

(Katy Perry - Firework)
These two loose frame, high angle shots of the artist singing make her appear isolated to the audience, giving the impression that she is vulnerable and weak to the audience.

Mise en Scene

• Dancing/Movement

Some form of dance, or performance from the artist is seen in almost every pop music video. This makes both the artist, and the video seem more lively and interesting, keeping the audience watching.

(Lady Gaga - Paparazzi)

• Multiple locations

The setting changes multiple times in music videos as it keeps it interesting for the audience, and the setting change is often accompanied by a costume change

(Riahanna - Shut Up And Drive)

(Katy Perry - Teenage Dream)

• Aspirational

One convention of pop music videos is showing the audience things that they would want, or strive to achieve, such  as cars, or money. This allows the audience to connect with the artist, as they may show what they desire, and also makes the artist appear more wealthy and famous.

(Riahanna - Shut Up And Drive)
These images show the audience lots of expensive looking cars, which the audience would desire to own. 



(Britney Spears - Toxic)
In the music video there were props of expensive looking champagne glasses, and jets.

 

• Bright colours

A common convention of pop music videos is bright colours. This makes the music video more interesting and appealing for the audience to look at, whether it be setting or costume.

(Lady Gaga - Poker Face)

(Riahanna - Shut Up And Drive)

• Eye contact

Eye contact is used in almost all music videos, as it creates a very strong connection between the artist and the consumer. This is due to it appearing as if the artist is looking directly at the audience, and singing the song to them.

(Lady Gaga - Poker Face)

(Britney Spears - Toxic)

• Lip syncing

Lip Syncing is a convention of all music videos and makes it appear like the artist is singing the song that the audience is consuming, in that location.

Editing

• Longest duration on vocals

A common convention of music videos is that the largest duration of shots is spent on the lead vocalist. This is due to this performer directly addressing the audience, allowing them to make the greatest connection.

• Cut on beat or key vocal

Cutting on the beat or a vocal makes the music video transition between shots more fluidly, and also helps to speed up the pace of the shots.

(Riahanna - Shut Up And Drive)

Cuts on the vocal of, "Shut up and drive."