Forms and Conventions

A music video is a visual accompaniment to a song, the music video usually involves a performer/performers doing things such as acting out a narritive or dancing to the music being played. Concert footage is often used as a music video.The music video can be narritive, abstract or performance based - usually depending on the genre of song or the artist. They are usually 3-4 minutes long and include quick cuts, cuts to the beat, editing and sometimes computer graphics. Sometimes music videos can also be like mini-movies, for example micheal jacksons hit 'Thriller'.

Music videos started to become a feature in the 1950's and they became extremely popular with the arrival of MTV in the 1980's - at this time most songs had a music video.

Most modern videos are used as marketing and feature the performer doing actions which give them a particular image which they want to portray of their selves.

List of Genres:

- Rock

- Rap

- RnB

- Country

- Pop

- Blues

- Hip - Hop

- Garage

List of Conventions:

- Lip Syncing

- Long Shots

- Concept

- Lots of Cuts

- Close Up

- 3 - 5 Minutes Long

- Eye Contact

- Abstract

- Montage

- Cut on Beat

- Performance

- Costume Change