Research- Similar product research 5- Researching the conventions of the Pop Acoustic genre.

Conventions of a Pop Acoustic genre music video:

Graham Burton suggested that 'Genres are created through a process of repetition and recognition leading to anticipation and expectation' this implies that there are many codes and conventions which  make a particular genre identifiable to the modern audience. If a code is repeated it becomes a convention, these convetions are then frequently used in a music video in order to get across to an audience what genre of music they are listening to. This helps create fan bases as people respond better to some music videos than others depending on the genre because of varying codes and conventions that appeal to some people more than others. Audiences anticipate and expect certain conventions in music videos and this therefore can lead to disappointment when they are not followed. However Neale says that genre is made up of 'repetition and difference' suggesting that small adjustments should be made to make certain that your music video STANDS OUT.

We have chosen the Pop Acoustic genre because we believe that the strong sense of narrative in the songs will enable us to create aesthetic beautiful shots which fit the story. We will also create a narritive which an audience will become emotionally involved with.

Conventions of a Pop Acoustic music video:  

Shots of performance, for example the star  singing directly into camera. The star is left of frame. This is a very dramatic shot because the star appears in the shadows in comparison to the ray of light behind him. The purpose of singing into camera is to directly connect to an audience, this is very important as a male singer like this one is able to appear alluring to a female audience through the unbreakable eye contact.




Slow paced camera movement. Throughout the video, several cuts are made to separate stories which we assume are related or similar to what the singer is going through. Many of these shots are over cranked, this use of slow motion makes us focus on the emotion of characters more and also decipher implications from movement. For example the boy in the picture is jumping into a pull although the fact that this motion is being slowed down must mean that the director is trying to create symbolism e.g the boy feels like escaping life, he is unhappy, drowning in some emotion? etc.

 Use of steadi cam, this makes a Pop Acoustic music video feel very personal, almost as though the artist is simply singing in the street and filming it with a few friends for his fans.

Close up shots, in shallow focus. I love this shot because it is so aesthetically pleasing. The sun is in focus whereas the hand is not, this draws attention to the sun.

The hand then appears to grab the sun and hold it, this could symbolise seizing life and as the song would suggest not giving up.








Tracking from behind following a singer walking.










Locations are regularly isolated places. Or ones which remind them of the the person they are singing about. This location looks extremely isolated, this is emphasized by the darkness and the one lone woman standing alone. The shot used here (long shot from behind) makes the camera man look as though he is pining after the young woman because he misses her.






Blurring of light is very common in Pop Acoustic music videos, it looks very beautiful and impressive and is something I would like to include in my music video.











Slow paced editing, e.g fades for transitions. This is an example of a slow fade which gradually becomes darker. The audience is left questioning who this woman is and what she will say or do when she approaches.

 The singer playing a guitar. This will be a very useful convention which we will include in our music video because the track is very guitar dominated.

 Very dark shadows. This code helps create a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.










Close up shots reveal a lot of emotion especially when a person is the focus of the image. The audience can see the pure emotion in this woman eyes and this is what enables them to become emotionally involved with the narrative.







Superimposition is a very effective technique and I would really like to include this use of editing in my music video.









How this post has influenced my planning and creativity:

• To use under-cranking in order to place more emphasis on an action and also to use closeups to express deep emotion.
• I will also use superimpositions in my music video in order to connect two shots to create one meaning. 
• I will use the sun as natural lighting.
• Use shots of performance.
• Use dark shadows. 
• Locations are regularly isolated places. Or ones which remind them of the the person they are singing about.
• Use steadi cam