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Music video history

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andrew goodwin's music video theory

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Genre conventions

Visual & Narrative

POP - INDIE_ROCK MUSIC VIDEO CONVENTIONS.png
Image by Aleksandr Popov

pop

Narrative

  • Music videos from pop genre usually explores mainstreame themes such as love, relationships, youth, etc. like "Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me".​

Visuals

  • Pop music videos are usually high-budget so they are expected to look polished and visually stunning, e.g.:

    • Grand set design

    • Colorful palette & editing, etc.

  • If the song is upbeat, the video would be expected to have a lot of choreography scenes where the artist/group dance to the song

  • The artist is expected to look good with fashionable outfits and makeup​

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indie/rock

Narrative

  • As the target is niche, audience would expect to see narratives that follows more personal themes such as mental health, ideologies, etc.​

Visuals

  • There will be lots of performing from the artist(s), however it can be them stand singing or playing an instrument instead of having a certain choreography to the song​​​

  • The video still follows the cutting on beat rule, however, indie rock music videos can be slow paced to foster a contemplative atmosphere for the audience to feel the music deeply.

  • The video concepts can be low-budget, however, they are more artistic and closely personal to the artist.

​Audience expectation

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