The Technical Codes in Music Videos - Camera Shots

• Camera shots are used for different effects in music videos; they're used so the audience can see an outfit or landscape, or used to allow the audience to relate to what is happening in the music video. This can also be done through the lyrics, where the audience can relate to what the artist is going through or feeling.
• The three most commonly used shots are long shot, mid shot and close up. All these provide different effects and give off different vibes to the audience - whilst still being simple and easy to create. Long shots are used to show surroundings or the clothing that the artist is wearing; mid shots are used to create emphasis on the artist themselves and close ups are used to portray emotion or to show the artist lip syncing to the song up close - making the audience feel more involved with the video.

 

• The varied camera shots used in this music video set the location - although with the pink lighting, smoke, Victorian lampost and New York style fire escape it gives the surroundings a timeless feeling - where she can't be placed into one space or time period and so the video can be considered 'fresh' for a long time, because it's not filled with modern day criteria.
• The close ups and extreme close ups let the audience see the extensive detail that has gone into her make up, with the dark and angular eye liner in particular. They also allow for her to be seen singing up close and to the camera - this will make the audience feel more involved with the video and will also allow the focus to remain on her.
• The use of medium shots are mainly used to show off her dancing talents and her outfit - although they are occasionally used to present the surroundings to those watching the video. Medium shots also allow for the audience to see her expressing herself through the lyrics of the song in time with the beat and the video editing.