Genre conventions

Brandon Dodsworth

FormsAn Indie Rock video can primarily and conventionally take either one of two forms.• Performance based narrative (many of Arctic

Monkeys videos, including ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dance floor’)

or• Abstract and narrative focused with no performance

element (most of Bastille’s music videos, including ‘Overjoyed’ and ‘Things We Lost In The Fire’)

Although many indie rock videos feature a good balance of both elements.

Screenshots taken from ‘Things We Lost In The Fire’ by Bastille. A more abstract, story-based choice of path for an indie rock music video.

Screen shots taken of the video for ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor by Arctic Monkeys, which is solely focused around one narrative of the performance element.

Performance narrative

Abstract narrative

Conventions of the genre -Cinematography

Many close-up shots, mainly of the main artist or lead singer.The audience came to the video to see the main singer and this is what the

cinematography delivers, such as the beginning and end of the music video for ‘Pompeii’ by Bastille.

Tracking shotsShaky tracking camera shots are used most often to a frantic, faster beat during a narrative video, whereas steadicam tracking is used on a slower or more performance based video to show the band.PanningPanning across the main character or an environment to establish location is commonly found near the beginning of the video. Depth of field shotsThese are used by only keeping the main subject in focus whilst blurring things that are in the foreground, or background. This type of shot is also used in the video for ‘Pompeii’ by Bastille which I have analysed.

Conventions of genre - EditingFast, straight jump cutsIn the Indie Rock genre there are only straight cuts and as far as I have seen. There are no other techniques or effects (such as fades) used to transition from shot to shot in the majority of music videos of this genre. Cuts are often matched to the timing of the beat.

Blurring, distortion and animated effectsIn the Arctic Monkeys music video for ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High’ there are many shots that are blurred, distorted and animated to show the vision of the main character whilst he is drunk. This can be found in other music videos of this genre also.

Conventions of genre - Sound

Diegetic soundThe diegetic sound of people talking in a bar, or sirens on a city street, or even the wind blowing to open up a song is conventional to indie rock. Sometimes the sound even overlaps onto the opening of the song, as well as during. These techniques can be found in videos such as ‘Overjoyed’ by Bastille, as well as the Arctic Monkeys song I previously mentioned. Sound co-ordinating with editingJump cuts to the beat of the song is key to indie rock, as well as other genre of music video.

Conventions of genre – Mise en scene

Genre conventional costumeCostume mainly consistent of denim, skinny jeans, leather jackets, denim jackets, plain black t shirts, plain white t shirts, printed graphic tees and jumpers.Genre conventional locationsLocations that are more tendered to Indie Rock include places such as large cities, city streets, bars, rural areas such forests and the interior of buildings like small apartments and abandoned shops. For performance based videos a stage is also conventional of course. Indie rock videos are more catered to realism, and a space ship lets say, would not be a conventional location.