Indie-Rock
Generic Conventions
A typical music video is about image, especially a music video from the indie-rock genre - 'image' meaning there is a certain theme or a story. For example a 'cold' theme running throughout the whole music video which can be related to the artist (or character) in order to enhance the music video.
However many indie-rock bands usually rely on performance in their music videos and less narrative as a lot of the music they make is created about themselves instead of for the industry, which juxtapose to the pop genre which tends to have a narrative in the music video.
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Lighting to enhance the mood of the song
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Colours to represent the mood/ theme of the song
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Props to tell the story
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Make-up to fit the theme
Mise-en-scène
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Constant cross-cutting of the artist in multiple locations in order to make the song more personal to the artist
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Cinematics and filter are often used to make the music video feel like a mini movie
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Constant change in speed to enhance the thought that time is
Editing
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Lots of close ups in order to show the artists emotions when he/ she is singing
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Lots of establishment shots of the group to show all group members
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Some hand-held shots to give the impression towards to audience that they are present in the video
Camera
Performance
Indie-rock bands tend to rely heavily on performance in their music videos in order to attract their audience to watch them at live events. This isn't the always the case for all indie-rock music videos as the song writing almost always writes a song which has personal meaning to them allowing the music video to have a narrative storyline aswell.
Changing of the Seasons ~ Two Door Cinema Club
Safe and Sound ~ Capital Cities
The 2 music video's above rely more on performance than narrative. 'Changing of the Seasons' music video cross-cuts between two different locations (on stage and at a party/ gathering). The performance aspect heavily dominates the shots at the 'party'. After watching the video and analysing the lyrics, the music video doesn't have an obvious meaning/ storyline behind it.
'Safe and Sound' is similar to 'Changing of the Seasons' as it primarily relies on performance - however there is a small aspect of narrative within the music video. The artists both sing on a main stage whilst other events are going on at the same time (dance-off etc.) In my opinion the narrative behind this music video is trying to find a dance partner in the 80s-90s.
Narrative
The narrative behind music videos within the indie-rock genre typically have more meaning than other genres such as pop, the reason is because the artist (song writer) has written this song with a personal message - so that the artist and the audience can relate to story
Take Me to Church ~ Hozier
'Take Me to Church' has no performance aspect within this music video, just solely narrative. This lyrics were written by Hozier in the attic of his parents home about his frustration with the catholic church and its thought on homosexual marriage. The music video follows a relationship between two men and the homophobic violence they recieve. The reason why this music video has no performance is because Hozier wanted to portray an message that is common in everyday society therefore the audience can relate.