Indie Genre Conventions

Indie Genre Conventions

1. location

   • Indie music videos are usually low budget, thereupon they are usually filmed in locations such as:
     • studios
     • cinemas
       • these places are easily accessible and places that most people visit, creating a sense of realism
     • skate parks
     • cities
     • forests
     • tunnels

2. mise en scene

   • mise en scene is a very significant aspect as it helps to explain the narrative.
     • Indie artists usually have a 'cool retro' look. This can be achieved through costume and hair and makeup. A typical hair style for an male indie artist is long shaggy hair.
     • costume also helps the audience to identify characters and read their character. A character who is dressed in wrinkled clothes they would be percieved as untidy.
     • Props play a big role in ensuring that music video overall has an authentic and realistic look. Conventional props of an indie music video include drums, guitars, and other instruments.

3. performance

   • it is conventional of indie music video to show the band playing and the lead singer singing, usually appearing as the star profile.

4. cinematography

   • conventional camera shots within indie videos include
     • close-ups.
       • these shots introduce the star image and advertise them.
       • they show the passion expressed by the star image and other members of the band
     • crane shots/ birds eye view shots
       • show the band playing from different angles
     • medium/long shots
       • establishing shots, to set the scene of the narrative.

5. editing

   • shots are cut fast/slow to mirror the rhythm and beat of the song
   • black and white filter is very conventional of indie as it presents a retro look., as well as an old fashioned which is associated with sadness. A theme that is common in indie music video narratives.

6. narrative

   • a narrative based on romance is also very conventional of the indie genre e.g. 1975- Robbers

7. Themes

   • Drugs
   • Alcohol
   • Danger
   • Nature