Conventions of a music promo

Conventions of a music promo

Camera work

- Close ups = instruments, performers – privileged access, musicianship   

- Mid shots = instruments and performers

- Movement – creates interest

- Audience reaction

- 1^st person point of view – viewer is audience

- Crane shots

- Tilts

- Performing to the camera

Editing / editing effects (For example One direction's song kiss you)




- Cut to the beat

- Genre of music will dictate editing pace

- Sfx, visual effects common 

- Green screen

- Jump cuts

- Different transitions

Mise – en – scene (for example you me at six's song bite my tongue)

- Instruments = credible performers, realism

- Location = link to lyrics/ genre – often urban/ derelict

- Cast – not just band

- Representation? Stereotypes?

- Costumes – links to genre

- High key lighting

Narrative / performance (for example fall out boy's song light em up) 

- Links to lyrics

- Bands

- 'Live'

- Intertextuality

- Repeatability     

- Don’t use ‘traditional’ narrative – not necessarily a start, middle and end

Concepts of music in promos – similar in adverts?

Illustration - the promo is basically illustrates the ideas/narrative in the song lyrics.
Oasis -  cigrettes and alcohol:



Amplification – the promo uses a key idea/image from the lyrics and develops it.
Coldplay - the scientist:



Disjuncture – the promo bears no resemblance to the lyrics or it meaning; often seen as unconventional/ ‘arty’ videos. (Radiohead - just)