Codes and conventions of the rock genre

Stereotypes are created by the way something or someone is precieved in the media, whether that be;

• Televison
• Internet
• Films
• Newspapers/magazines
• Music videos

Rock music is no exception to sterotypes. Rock music especially the artists of this genre are associated with sex and drug use and being very rebelious and distruptive, this is the classic view which was formed during the rock and roll era late 1940s-early 1950s.

What is associated with rock music?

• Tattoos
• Piercings
• Guitars
• Drums
• Bands
• Funky clothing
• Dark themes and colours
• Loudness

Conventions of rock music videos


Camera shots
Most general music videos use a very large variety of different camera shots in them this is to give the audience a clear idea of the storyline, setting, theme and artists message.In rock videos these shots are used to emphasise the importance of the band and their message. Shots most commonly used are close ups and extreme close ups, these are used to show the lead vocalist and to show the different emotion. Long shots are also used however this is only used to show the full band. Camera movement in rock music videos is often used to a higher extent in music videos that tell a story with actors rather than band performance videos. Often in band performance videos there is a very large variety of shot types but sometimes lacking in actual camera movement

Mise en scene
Mise-en-scene includes;

• Props
• Sets
• Costumes
• Make up
• Lighting

The mise en scene for rock music are;

• Microphones
• plain clothing
• Instruments

The lead vocal usually gets very close up to the camera, this engages the audience and makes it more personal. singer screams into the microphone and either pulling it close or leaning into the camera. The way in which the music video is presented and what message it gives then shows the audience what the music is like and therefore gives them more of an idea of rock music usually adding to its steretype.

  Here are two screen shots from the music video Hollywood Whore by Papa Roach. The first image is of the lead vocalist. The lighting is very dark and miserable. One half of himself is shadowed, this shows he has a dark side to him. This may be a reference to his personal life as he has a drug problem which would be represented by the darkside where as he has a loving and caring wife and children which is represented by the light side. The darker colour may also represent death and mourning as the video is about a woman who become self obsessed and craving fame which lead to her eventually dying from failure and rejection.
The second image is of the entire band. This is different to the usual types of shots of the entire band as it is a medium shot. Here there are some typical conventions of the rock music genre. the guitar is bright coloured and stands out showing it is a very important iconography of the rock genre of music.