Conventions of a music video

In the age we are in today, music videos are being made for many more songs than ever before. And of course, this means that we will Have certain conventions, ways that the video will portray what is happening in the lyrics or a video that just fits with the tune.

Many of these conventions fit with the music video theory by Andrew Goodwin in 1992. For instance, his theory states that there should be a relationship between the lyrics ad the visuals, in order to illustrate, amplify, or contradict the lyrics.Riptide by Vance Joy is a perfect example of the video just plainly illustrating the lyrics, while also making an entertaining music video

"Take me down to the riptide"

"I wanna be your left hand man"

Depending on the genre, a certain type of iconography would be used, This means a certain style, basically. The easiest way to show this would be in the gee of rock, where most of the time, you will have the band playing to an audience at a gig, while a sombre folk music genre would usually just have the person playing a guitar alone, possibly in a secluded area, or even when boy bands appeal to the masses of girls by revealing their chests. This is also covered by andrew goodwin

When watching a music video, we always seem to focus on one person, even if its a singular person in a group of five. Music video directors do that too, and that is a convention see in so many videos. Imagine watching your favourite rock music video, and try to think "who do they focus on?" The drummer and bassist might get a few shots but the vocalist gets almost all the lime light.This is increasingly rue with female artists, which links in nicely with our next point

Music videos are most often made with the Laura Mulvey's Male gaze theory in consideration. Where music video directors for females are concerned, using the body of the artist to get more views is a completely valid tactic. We can see this in the most mainstream of stuff. For instance lets go to rihanna and her "pour it up" video shall we?

Even the thumbnail is a provocative look at her behind. The producer Vincent Haycock definitely knew what he was doing, however with the video clocking in 226,415,755 views ad counting since the 2nd October 2013.

IN RELATION TO ALTERNATIVE/ INDIE ROCK

Many alternative rock bands will have most of these. If we look at Imagine dragons "demons" then we can see most of these

From this, we can see that He is:

At a concert? [yes]

Having lyrics correspond with the video? [ "this is my kingdom come" with a traumatic moment moment in peoples lives]

Focus on the singer? [ Out of the band, yes]

Male gaze[ No]

From doing this checklist, we can see what is prioritised in alternative rock. Which is the story, with frames and shots of the band going on as well.

In castle of glass by Linkin park, We can see the same stuff occurring, and we can see it again in Take that's Kidz.