Planning - Codes and Conventions

 Planning - Codes and Conventions

Screen Within Screen

In many music videos screen within screens have been used. I think they are a great experimental shot type to incorporate into music videos.

I experimented with this shot type when I was in the studio with Scarlett, and I think it was quite effective.

Establishing and Wide Shots

A very prominent convention in pop ballad music videos is the use of establishing and wide shots. Based on my research, pop ballad music videos typically feature dramatic locations, and the use of these shot types help emphasise these settings. I shot an establishing/wide shot of Scarlett from the studio and I think it clearly demonstrates the studio location.

Performance and Piano

It is clear from my research that many pop ballad music videos are performances. Despite my intentions of mainly following a narrative storyline, I also want to include some performances to reflect the convention of performance pop ballad music videos. 

Many of these music videos feature the ‘hero’ (main singer) playing the piano, so I ensured to film some videos of Scarlett singing and playing the piano too.

Direct Address Singing

A key convention of not just pop ballad music videos but music videos in general is direct address. This technique really helps the singer emphasize their emotions directly to the watcher, and I hope to include this in my own music video.