Research Blog: Music Video Conventions

Name of song: The weekend 

Cams  

• This music video has mostly low angles and some eye level 

• This music video consists of long shots wide shots, establishing shots, medium long shots, medium shots, aerial shots 

• This music video uses pan camera movement and tracking shot 

Editing 

• Crosscuts for every scene 

• Jump cuts to each scene 

Sound  

• SZA singing 

Mis en scene 

• Setting is different parts of a parking garage 

• It is just SZA in every scene 

• 4 outfit/costume changes  

• The lighting switches between dark to light 

• Props are a checkered floor board, drapes of plastic, glass walls

 

name of song: Good Days by SZA 

CAMS 

• Angles used in the music video consisted of high angles as well as some Dutch. 

• Some movements in the video included zoom, tracking as well as tilt. 

• Camera shots in the video included the establishing shot (SZA in the bedroom) and wide shots. Other shots were medium long, medium shot, as well as an Ariel shot. 

EDITING 

•  In the music video, a lot of cross cutting appeared between the different scenes. 

• There was a present jump cut as well. In the beginning,it jumped forward to the scene of SZA in the forest, and back to the starting set. 

• There were also a lot of inserts in the music video. Especially retro video inserts, which added entertainment to the video. 

Mis en Scene 

• Costumes SZA used in the video consisted of a bold, sparkly bathing suit, a green ripped forest green outfit, and a revealing glamorous dress. 

• The lighting used in the video included that of dim and natural lighting. 

• Actions SZA used in the video were her dancing, singing, and even being clumsy. 

• The Makeup SZA used was a natural but bold face 

• Props included a pole, books and papers in a library setting, and a vintage camera. 

• The setting took place in a natural forestry setting, a gas station, as well as a house. 

SOUND 

• In the music video both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds were used. It was mostly the artists singing, as well as some background sounds. 

• There was some ambient audio of birds chirping to add the forest theme 

 

 

name of song: Snooze by SZA 
Cams 

• Music Video uses High, Low, and Eye-level Angles.  

• Music Video uses Pan Camera Movement, Zoom and a Tracking Shot in 4 scenes. 

• Music Video uses Close Shot, Medium Close Shot, Long Shot, Wide Shot, Establishing Shot and a Regular Shot. 

Editing 

• Music Video crosscuts in every scene. 

• Uses the Dissolve technique 

• Uses Shot/Reverse Shot in the Robot Scene. 

• Jump Cuts from Scene to another. Ex: Outside Scene to Indoor scene with video games. 

 

Mis en Scene 

• The video has 4 different settings. (In a bedroom, outside in a field, a barn, a living room, and open space.) 

• Uses a different person for each scene 

• Uses props such as a tractor, sunglasses, video controller, pillows, and a robot. 

• 11 different costumes changes. 

• Acting changes when the person with SZA changes.  Different storylines such as arguing, pillow fighting, eating together. 

• Lighting changes to Dark from Light frequently. (When outside the lighting was bright, when inside it was mostly dark)