Genre Conventions

Pop Genre Conventions

I have chosen the genre pop for my music video and in doing this the codes and conventions of the genre have to be followed. This makes the music video recognizable to the audience and clear that the genre is pop. I have chosen this genre because I am interested in everything about the pop music industry including the attitudes of the artists as well as the settings and costumes. Pop music is often performance based through the music video and lyrics. The performance usually illustrates the lyrics.

 This can be linked with Goodwin’s theory of narrative and performance within a music video. He states that we tend to make up our own idea of the messages being sent in a song from a basic understanding of what it might actually be about. He also thinks that all music videos should be of the same standard every time and that narrative and performance work together in order to keep the audience interested and not become bored of the music video. When the artist acts as the actor and singer it makes the music video original and more entertaining. He says that miming is still the most popular thing done in music videos to this day. It is how the artist makes it look as real as possible to the audience that attracts them to the music video.

The pacing of pop music videos is usually fast with some exceptions for example my chosen music video is a slow paced pop song. The music videos for pop songs are usually shot during the summer period when the weather is positive. The artist mainly wears fashionable including designer brands during their music videos which suggest wealth and fortune. Female costumes are stereo-typically extremely revealing with a lot of sexual connotations about them.

 This relates to the male gaze and how Laura Mulvey thinks that men look at women, how women look at themselves and how women look at other women. The concept of the gaze is one that deals with how the audience view people on how they present themselves. She believes that in media the audience have to view characters from a heterosexual male perspective. Cameras focus on female curves on the body of women which relegates women to the status of been an object rather than a person.

Ke$ha-Tik Tok

Throughout the pop music video typical codes and conventions of the genre are shown including:

• Partying

• Alcohol

• Dancing

• Clubs

• Piercings

• Jewelry

• Bright Colors

• Male Attention

• Fast Cars

• Revealing Clothing

• Attractive Females

• Seductive Poses

• Rebellious Attitude

• Defiant Behavior

• Sexual Connotations

The scenes shown in the music video are typical mainly focusing on the theme of teenage partying. It shows how young people like to consume large amounts of alcohol and stay out late at night in clubs with their friends. The girls are wearing revealing clothing and portraying their bodies in a negative way to males. Lots of sexual connotations can be noticed as girls throw themselves at males and behave seductively. Bright colors can be seen as well as lots of modern and young ideas such as piercings and heavy make up. Male attention is a main impression given whilst watching the music video and it is shown as a normal and acceptable way to behave. The image shown gives teenagers a bad reputation because pople stereotype all teenagers to behave in the exact same way as this.

The Wanted-Walks Like Rihanna

Throughout the pop music video typical codes and conventions of the genre are shown including:

Attractive Females

• Attractive Males

• High Heels

• Revealing Clothing

• Bright Lights

• Fashionable Clothing

• Modern Technology

• Jewelry

• White/Black Suits

• Makeup

• Male Attention

• Flashing Lights

• Bright Colors

In this music video the main focus is on males giving females attention and the focus of the female body. It shows that the males are clearly very attracted to the females by their actions throughout the music video. A lot of stage presence and acting as well as singing and dancing can be seen in the music video. Lots of speakers and bright lights are shown so that the party atmosphere can be taken in by the audience. The clothes worn support the idea of fashion and designer clothing which are stereotypical to the genre. The shots are all fast paced showing that a lot is going on during the video and plenty of action takes place. The image that is portrayed because of this music video is that males see women as sexual objects and something to look at that pleases them and not an actual person.

Miley Cyrus-We Can't Stop

Throughout the pop music video typical codes and conventions of the genre are shown including:

White Clothing

• Modern technology

• Red Lipstick

• Heavy Makeup

• Tattoos

• Jewelry

• Bleached Hair

• Seductive Poses

• Sexual Attitude

• Sunglasses

• Fire

• Money

• Pool Party

• Chewing Gum

• False Nails

• Dancing

• Revealing Clothing

• Male Attention

This music video particularly focuses on the rebellious behavior of teenagers and they're actions. Many controversial issues could be raised throughout watching the music video. Sexual and provocative behavior is a main issue followed by the image that is been portrayed. The females are wearing lots of make up and have tattoos and piercings which only some people think are an acceptable ides in society. Red lipstick if worn which makes a bold statement to the audience about what sort of person would wear this. After viewing this music video the idea that the majority of people would get is that girls behave and make themselves appear slutty to attract male attention and be noticed.