Symbolic and technical conventions

Symbolic and technical conventions

Conventions are very important in making up the genre. They allow the audience to identify what genre they are watching, and therefore what they can expect from the film/video/music. The institutions are guidelines that appeal to the target audience, and makes sure they are happy with the product and get what they were expecting. 

Technical conventions include: Camera, editing and sound (diegetic or non-diegetic)
Symbolic conventions relate to: mise-en-scene (costume, props, lighting, setting, arrangement of band members etc)



Conventions in Pop music

Nancy Sinatra: 'These boots are made for walking' 1966

Technical conventions: 

Nancy's classic pop song from the mid 60s includes many pop music conventions that we would come to expect from a music video in this genre.

Camera:

 We get many closeups of Nancy and she is the only person who we see closeups of. The camera follows her movements and she usually takes up most of the screen. This creates a star image and helps the audience to start to recognise and connect with her. The wide shots also show the stage, props and all the dancers behind Nancy, and how she is the main focus.

Editing:

The fast dancing and pace matches that of the song, so the mood and rhythm can be well represented. The shots change in time with the music and therefore emphasise the beat and tempo. This also helps to show the structure of the song; verse, chorus, verse chorus...


Symbolic conventions: (Mise-en-scene)
We can instantly see many trends of the 60s, as all the girls have the classic beehive hairstyle, high-heeled boots and mini dresses, along with the iconic cut crease makeup. The colours are vibrant and fun, and the lighting is bright and keeps the scene lively, contributing to the 'pop' conventions. The setting is minimal with just a brown stage and red flags behind, again making the audience focus on Nancy and the dancers.



Conventions in Rock and Roll

Led Zeppelin: 'Kashmir' Physical Graffiti 1975

Technical conventions: Camera:

The majority of the shots are either closeups of Robert Plant, the lead singer, or closeups of Jimmy Page playing lead guitar. We also have wide shots and crane shots of the stage, which shows that they play their own instruments, usually in-front of a large live audience. The first shot is of the audience cheering, holding up their logo on a flag. We also follow the lead singer as he dances and interacts with the other band members, showing his star image,

Editing:

The shots are also synced to the music, so the discontinuity editing can create a bit of chaos that matches the tone of the music. The angles and shots are synced to the music so it feels like a live performance, showing the audience where the band normally belongs. 

Symbolic conventions (mise-en-scene)

There are bright neon lights on the stage mixed with lots of black behind them, mixing a feel good, up-beat mood with a more moody tone. For props, we see the instruments; the guitars, bass, drum kit, microphones and synthesisers. These connotations with other performers and musicians make  it clear that they are a rock band. And for costumes they are wearing quite flashy and impressive outfits either sparkly black or white flares and ruffle shirts, classic of the time period, the 70s. 


Conventions in Rap


Eminem:' Like Toy Soldiers' Encore, 2004

Technical conventions: Camera

We have closeups of him reacting to what's going on and mid shots of him rapping, showing his full body language and his emotions. He often is the main focus and takes up most of the screen, the cameras also follows him, and we see what he sees, showing he is the most important in the video 

Editing:

Many of the shots in this video shows behind the scenes of Marshal's life, which allows the audience to learn more about him and his life. Capturing his daily life and rebellious nature contributes to his star image. Although it is a rap and quite fast pace, the shot duration is often long or the scenes are in slow motion, to capture the mood of the song.

Sound:



There is diegetic sound at the start where two young boys talk about reading a book they were given, which acts as the start of the narrative and creates a story. Therefore, sets the tone and mood of the video.


Symbolic conventions: Mise-en-scene


Eminem wears his classic beanie or caps with camp and baggy clothes, which is what audience would expect as this was the trend in early 2000s rap music. The lighting is either very dark or very bright to contrast the scenes and what's happening in them. There are many settings and props that help explain the story, like the hospital, press conferences and the recording studio.