Codes and conventions of a rock music video

Codes and conventions of a rock music video:

Rock music videos are mostly performance based as the band play to the camera or to the audience at a concert or gig. This is used to show the high energy and allows the audience viewing the music video to feel apart of the concert and allows for a more interesting visual. This involves the camera, following and shooting the band members of stage as they perform showing each instrument being played at each stage of the song. These videos can also connote the bands success and popularity as the camera shows the vast audiences and their reactions.

Mise-en-scene of rock music videos consist of the band members on stage, the audience in front of them and lighting, effects and sound amps behind them and on the stage. The band members are positioned as the following: singer at the front of the stage, which connotes his importance in the band as being the front man who gets the crowd going, the guitarists on each side of the stage and the drummer at the rear of the stage positioned higher up to allow the audience to see and not to be blocked by the other band members. 
The band are commonly dressed in leather or ripped clothing, vests, have long hair, head bands and tattoos which is stereotypically the rock look. This is because it allows the band to create an identity of being rebellious and the style in which rock and roll has taken.

Sound is from the band on stage performing with their instruments including: drums, bass guitar, electric guitar and vocals from the singer. The song is engineered in the studio to match the visuals and to sound the best it can be. However, sound from on stage is also used.

Editing is commonly used through jump cuts to show each band member as they perform on stage with their instruments. This is used to show each band member as well as to connote the pace of the song and the energy at the concert. Editing is also used to allow image to be placed on screen with fades and jump cuts back and forth between the performance and the visuals.

Camera is used commonly through long shots of the band on stage together and to show the audience. Close-ups and mid-shots are used to show each individual member playing their instrument and them performing on stage. In some rock music videos POV shots are used in the music video to allow the audience to see what the band are seeing on stage. This also allows for an interesting view for the audience as they watch the music video. The singer is shown longest on screen as it connotes he is most important and allows the audience to see him as he sings the lyrics of the song.