Music Video Conventions

Media theorist Sven Carlson has come up with more complex conventions of music videos, these are: Voyeurism, Commercial Exhibitionist, Televised Bard and Electronic Shaman.

Voyeurism: You get pleasure from looking at other people in a state of undress, and the person you are looking at doesn't know your watching or looking at them. For example in Maroon 5's video for their song This Love, there is a sex scene that the viewer enjoys watching.

Commercial Exhibitionist: Artists 'selling themselves' (i.e. sexually) to viewers/other characters in exchange for fame (attention) or material wealth. For example in Lady Gaga's video for her song Bad Romance, even the backup dancers want to be in her presence.

Televised Bard: Musical storyteller, artist is established as 'author' of narrative. Story told visually, but repeatedly cuts back to artist telling story. For example in Kelly Clarkson's video for her song Dark Side, it repeatedly cuts between her and a story about relationships.

 Electronic Shaman: Artist takes role of 'magician' with either supernatural powers or takes us into a magical world. For example in Katy Perry's video for her song California Girls, she takes us to a world full of candy.