CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF INDIE GENRE

NARRATIVE As we are moving further on in to the 21st century It is becoming more common that

indie music videos are including a narrative to break up the music video and make it much more entertaining for the audience as they are able to follow what is going on in the music video. Many artists are using this technique in order to keep the attention of the audience.

The use of the narrative is to make the music video make sense and allow the audience to link the lyrics to the visuals on screen to understand what is happening within the music video.

The use of a narrative allows for room for creativity which can mean that the video is very memorable for the audience. Special effects can also be used on the videos to make them even better – these are added during the editing stage of the process.

Narratives allow for the audience to relate to what is going on in the music video. This is much more effective than live performances as during those it gets very repetative. Whereas, there is something to follow during a music video with a narrative.

SETTING Indie music videos are known to be low budget. The main settings for these

types of music videos are cities, houses, parks, woods etc. These locations aim to create mysteries which make the audience focus more on the performance within the music video.

These settings are very relatable for the audience as they are common areas we all go on a regular basis. This can make the audience feel as though they are more involved in the music video and entices the audience much more whilst they watch it.

LIVE PERFORMANCES Live performances are a common convention in indie music videos. This

includes the artist performing their song live to a crowd of people. This is to ensure all the focus is mainly on the artist themselves. The use of live performances also help promote the artist a little more as it shows their ability to both play an instrument and sing at the same time. This shows how talented the artist more which attracts the audience that little bit more.

MISE EN SCENE The use of mise en scene has a large impact on how an artist Is portrayed. Props can have a large impact on how an artist is portrayed. A prop helps

complete the scene and helps the audience to know exactly what is going on. An example can be seen in Lana Del Rey’s music video to ‘National Anthem’ in which Lana is seen in a expensive, flash house. This portrays how wealthy is and shows the audience that she has an upper class lifestyle.

Costumes and make up really help shape the character. It indicates their age, status, wealth and the era of a music video. For example, in Taylor Swifts music video to ‘love story’ they are all dressed up in period clothing from the 1900s which confirms to the audience what era the music video is meant to be set in.

CAMERA Close ups and Extreme close ups are the most common types of shots seen

in Indie music videos to introduce the artist to the audience. It helps display the emotions of the antagonise/artist in the music video.

There is also the common use of long and establishing shots to show the setting of the music video and set the character in place. It helps the audience understand the message behind the music video.

The use of handheld shots is also often used within indie music videos. These are aimed to show a memory or a thought.

High and low shots are both also used to either to show the power of vulnerability of the actor/artist in the music video.

EDITING Fast and slow cuts between shots reflects the pace of the music which

creates the atmosphere of the music video. Filters are often used over the top of the clips or the entire music video to

give a certain idea to the viewer such as an age to the video or show the clip in a positive or negative light. A deep contrasted filter is most commonly used, or a black and white one (as seen in the image below of the 1975’s girls music video). The use of this makes it look very vintage and makes the music video look ‘edgy’. This effect helps connote the indie genre to the audience. The use of a blur effect is also used to make the audience feel as though theyre are on drugs – may even make them feel like they are part of the song.