Friday, 8 September 2017

Genre Research/Conventions

I have chosen to research and produce my own music video within the Alternative Genre.  In order to begin my journey, I have decided to research the conventions of this genre focusing on the mise-en-scene.

Camera
The camera tends to follow the artist.
-Goodwin argues that music videos present 'star image' and multiple close-ups of the artist shows the artists 'star' quality.
The most conventional shots are close-ups and mid shot, these allow the audience to see the emotions of the characters, often linked to the lyrics or just simply the mood portrayed in the video.
Non-narrative music videos usually show the artist playing the song featuring close-ups of instruments or/and the artist emotionally lip syncing.

Long/establishing shots and medium shots are used, which give more detail or background story for the audience.
















Setting

Alternative artists commonly feature places that can be accessed easily, typically public places. However, these public areas can also and may be quite secluded. These types of settings create a sense of mystery, as the audience are not yet familiar with the character and will gain some knowledge from the choice of location.



Sound

Sound is very important, especially for a non-narrative indie music video. For example, when the audience are presented a 'live' performance from the artists. A music video that adopts a story-line, it may contain diegetic sounds that create a link between the narrative and the track. Diegetic sounds are mainly heard at the beginning, before the vocals. It helps establish the setting and atmosphere of the music video/narrative.




Lighting
Natural and Low-Key lighting are the two common types of lighting that is mostly associated with music videos within this genre which allows for scenes to take place in locations such as clubs, alleyways, dark rooms for example.


Although High-Key lighting is sometimes used when the convention is being challenged.









Props

Props are commonly used in Alternative Rock Videos, due to the fact that normally the band’s music includes: Guitars, drum kits, microphones, speakers etc. Not only this but they are also going to be surrounding props in the background of the scenery depending on where the video takes place (For example if they were in a venue there would be posters). This is done to create slight realism for the music video.

Narrative


Most Alternative Rock videos have some segment of their videos based on a story. The narrative is normally based on messages such as bad pasts/pain/drugs/generally negative issues, the narrative depicts both the bad and good side of a situation.


-Many music festivals now have specialist stages for Alternative Rock acts and fans, and some festivals are even dedicated to the genre and other similar genres, such as Reading and Leeds Festival, The Green Man, and Truck Festival.-

-By understanding and researching the conventions of my chosen genre it gives me more knowledge in order to follow when deciding my narrative and influences such as lighting and the props I will use in order to follow these conventions, not only this but if my group and I decide to challenge any conventions I will be able to understand a great deal of information within that section in order to choose the perfect convention to challenge-

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