Music videos feature a number of camera shots for various reasons, to relate with the audience by expressing thoughts and feelings, but also to show the viewer what is happening. Certain shots that you would normally find in music videos include;
Very wide shot - This is were the artist is shown visible (barley) but the emphasis is still on placing the artist in the location/setting.
Wide shot - This is were the artist is shown taking up most of the shot but the location/setting is still focused on.
Mid shot - This shows the artist from his/her waist to head, and focuses mainly on the subject but still giving an impression of the location/setting.
Medium close up - This shot is half way between a mid shot and a close up, showing the artist from chest to head.
Close up - This shot shows the artist's face or can show an object that the artist is holding, or something were the camera focuses closely on.
Extreme close up - This shows the artist's face extremely close, for example eyes, or mouth to identify something it can have the effect of showing the audience the artists thoughts and feelings or even showing a lip sync commonly used in music videos.
Over the shoulder shot - This is a good shot used, specifically in narrative based music videos usually when the artist is acting and speaking to another person, you tend to see an over the shoulder shot to display the conversation, or to show something the character is looking at.
Cut in - This shot can be used in music videos to show something that the lyrics might be saying, for example, "I will shoot you with my gun" and a gun is shown. This shot is only shown very quickly, this relates to the subject or narrative.
These shots are the basic shots you'd expect to see in most music videos, however there can be some more creative ways of displaying a scene through different camera angles.
Camera Angles
The way the camera is positioned determines the angle of the shot. There are many different camera angles used in the production of music videos to convey different images. Examples of camera angles are;
Eye level - This is a very common view being the real world angle that we are all use to seeing, it shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life.
High angle - This is were the camera shows the subject from above, and the camera is angled down towards the subject, which has the effect of making them appear less powerful, less significant and or even submissive.
Low angle - the effect of the low-angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong and powerful.
Bird's eye - This angle is showing the subject/scene from directly above, and its completely different and can be from an unnatural point of view which can be used to add a dramatic effect or showing a different spatial perspective. It can also show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the character might not see.
Slanted - This is when the camera is slanted, also known as a Dutch angle were the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle, this is creative in making interesting, dramatic effects. Dutch tilts are also popular in MTV-style video production, where unusual angles and lots of camera movement play a big part.
Camera angles play a huge part in emphasising the artist or to show emotions and expressions. Other camera angles that are simply the most common in music videos, are close ups, showing the artist lip syncing, and extreme close ups were lyrics can be linked to visuals. The camera never stays on one shot for longer than 3-5 seconds.
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