ROCK
- Patri
- Oct 9, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 5, 2019
This music videos are known for using live performances and avoiding narrative. The characters/artists are normally represented as hedonistic, rebellious and intimidating.
The mise-èn-scene follows a very consistent pattern all through out the rock genre music videos. There is an obvious overuse of the black colour in the clothing which is usually leather or denim, combined with military boots. Piercings, tattoos and chains are a recurring component that gives a much tougher look to the artists. Moreover, the use of dark make up, usually dark eye-liner, has popped up in most of the videos. This convention does not follow gender stereotypes as both men and women are seen wearing it. The setting is frequently situated in the middle of nowhere in a hostile environment as it makes it easier for the viewer to focus on the performance of the artists, or it could also be situated in a room full of people at nighttime with the artist on stage. The props used are mainly instruments in order to make it look more realistic when doing live performances. The lighting is mostly low-key lighting and shadows when the music video is based on a live performance, enhancing the use of the chiaroscuro by using strobe of lights (either colour or black and white). On the other side when the music videos has a narrative it uses high-key lighting so the audience is able to see what is happening and making it easier to understand the narrative.
Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
What I've Done - Linkin Park
The camera concentrates mainly on the facial expressions of the artists in order to portray their emotions. There are aerial shots order to show the location in which the music video is going to take place so that the viewer can situate himself and sometimes foreshadow what the narrative might be about (snippets). At times the use of a low angle shot of the artists are used to empower them above the crowd and viewer.
My Chemical Romance - I Don't Love You
Guns N' Roses - November Rain
The editing's purpose is to make the video look as natural as possible creating continuity as the the main focus is the song and the artists. Fast paced editing of clips occur due to the pace of the song itself. There is a lacking use of fades which are replaced with cuts in order to ensure the unity of it all.
Smells
Iconography is a very important thing in this genre as there is a constant use of symbols, signs and brands used in order to create branding and its bellowing to the genre of rock. This music videos are mainly negatively portrayed and associated to Satan, which is connoted by the use of head-banging, drugs, alcohol and the dark colours.
Sound is very important as it uses diegetic sound at the beginning or/and at the end of the video in order to either establish the setting and set the mood or to emphasise on the reason of the song being made (using a short voice-over).
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