Music Video Conventions

The day we say goodbye to our finished commercial is here. The process was a somewhat smooth one. Preparing, story boarding, filming were all easy compared to the editing process. We didn't need to re-film any of the scenes which was nice because that allowed us to have more time to edit. The editing was stressful because of the time crunch that we were on. Overall, it was an exciting experience that bettered my production skills. Since the beginning of the school year, I was super excited to make the music video project. Personally, I love music so being able to plan, film, and edit one is going to be fun. 
We chose the song 'Kiss Me Thru The Phone' by Soulja Boy Tell'em. We chose this song because we all think it's a great song that's really catchy. Even though this song came out in 2008, we all listen to it to this day. Also, the song has no profanity so there was no need to look for a clean version and it can be interpreted in a different way than what it actually means. Figuring out the song that we wanted took some time but were able to chose this song out of all the other options. The other options for this music video project were 'Because Of You' by Ne-yo and 'Let Me Love You' by Mario. 
The song 'Kiss Me Thru The Phone' by Soulja Boy Tell'em falls under the genre of Hip-Hop/Rap. 
The original music video has the typical mis en scene that a Hip-Hop/Rap music video would have. The different camera angles, sound, and editing techniques. In a traditional music video for Hip-Hop/Rap, the camera angles are usually low-angled close up shots in order for the main artist of the music video can seem like the most important focal point of the video. Shots that are taken in a Hip-Hop/Rap music video include many two shots, typically with the main artist and a love interest to indicate that they are desirable. It also includes shots like club/party scenes where it gives the artist credibility because it shows how large groups of people are enjoying their song. Depending on the song itself, there can be a range of sounds that are not including the song. There can be sounds of engines revving to depict the luxury the artist or people yelling their name so it shows their importance. The editing, like the sound, also depends on the song and how the director and the artist want the song to be interpreted.

C- Costumes within the Hip Hop/Rap genre, artists tend to wear a variety of apparel. This
may range from designer clothing such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Ferragamo
complimented by expensive chains, watches, and other forms of jewelry. This aims
to emphasize the wealth that the artist has accumulated and is often a reflection
and even a product of the rags to riches story they likely experienced.
L- The lighting can differ depending on what the director and the artist want to use.
There is usually darker lighting if the scene is in a club or it can be outside during the day
or at night.

A- In a music video there isn’t a lot of acting involved unless there is a background
story to the music video. In the original music video you see spots in the video
where the person is looking to be having a conversation on a cell phone. They
did this to signify them calling the other person through the phone.

M- The makeup is also an important part of Hip-Hop videos. Back in 2008, the girls
wore vivid makeup that popped on screen. For example bright eye shadow colors,
or and big eyeliner. Some videos would showcase the girl in a scene where she
would just need normal makeup. The guys however, didn't really a lot of makeup
due to the fact that makeup was more fememine. 

P- Props that are heavily featured in many of the videos of the hip-hop genre
would include phones, jewelry, clothing, and stacks of money. They serve to
captivate the audience’s attention, and portray the characters in the video as
wealthy and well off in terms of power and status. 

S- Setting is very important for these types of videos, as they help to demonstrate

where the video is taking place. Most often in the Hip-Hop genre, the setting is
usually on the street, or a neighborhood, parties, and social gatherings.