1)Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. So you would expect to see conventions of the

paticular music genre. See my indie folk page here. Or see my Conventions Page here.

 

2) There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images.(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting). A great example of this id Vance Joy's Riptide. Read me analysis of the music video here.

 

3) There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music.(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

 

4) The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style). These include CUs of the star’s face, iconography of band image, visual trademarks and motifs. Star image motifs – frequently recurring images that repeat something about the band. Possibly font styles or logos. 

 

5) There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body. Could follow on toon Laura Mulvey’s 1975 theory about the male gaze.

 

6)There are often intertextual reference (to films, tv programmes, other music videos etc).