Genre

For my music video, I have chosen to use music from the acoustic genre as lately acoustic music is becoming increasingly popular, for example, new artists such as Ed Sheeran and Keaton Henson. As a result of this, I have decided to research into the conventions of music videos and how I can apply and relate these into my acoustic music video.
Acoustic music is made up of music that primarily or only uses instruments which make sound through completely acoustic means, instead of via electric or electronic means.
In the 1990's, seeing the rising popularity of the television show MTV Unplugged, acoustic performances by music artists who usually used electronic instruments were informally referred to as "unplugged" performances.

1. NewtonFaulkner -
2. Keaton Henson -
3.

Camera work is a main part of a music video such as camera movement, angles and shot types; as acoustic music is generally quite slow and calm, the camera movement in acoustic videos is usually quite slow to reflect this and allow the viewer to understand the meaning of the video. Also, acoustic videos commonly use a variety of camera shots and angles as acoustic artists are usually moderately creatively and tend to show this in their work. This being said though, at the same time, a lot of acoustic artists seem to have a very simple video with only only a few different camera shots and tend to just focus on the artist singing and/or playing an instrument, usually a guitar.
Here are examples of these two point:

 

1. Elliott Smith - Angeles

2. Ed Sheeran - Small Bump


The mise-en-scene is a huge part of a music video; it can determine the meaning of the whole piece and make a big impression on the viewer. The mise-en-scene in film is refers to everything in the composition of a shot; this can include lighting, costume, sound, props, colour, location, set design and decor, framing, and space. Usually an acoustic music video will tell a story, so it may range from two people simply walking on a sunny day, or if the artist is singing of a lost love the video may be a little more bleak and grey, so just small aspects of the mise-en-scene can tell a lot about the video, such as the weather, scenery, or even just the lighting.
Here are two more examples:

1. Joshua Radin - Rather be with you
2. Keaton Henson - Party Song


Editing in a music video is one of the most important parts, and though it may not be the most noticed part of a piece of film, it is always there and makes a huge difference to the video.
Jump cuts are largely used in music videos as they jump from the location in one scene to another where the band may be singing and playing music.
Also, the speed and pace of the editing in the video is almost always in sync with the song playing so it fits together and makes sure the video reflects the track playing.
Reaction shots are often used in music videos; a reaction shot is when the shot cuts away from the main scene in the video to show a character's response to some kind of statement made by another character, or  an event or action; this is usually used with the narrative in the music video to tell a story and to establish the relationship between two or more people to the viewer.
These videos, in a way, show this;  although the first song is by an electronic-dance band, I think it's a video that displays my points, and the second video is an acoustic song that in a way also displays this:

1. Hadouken! - Turns the lights out
2. Plain White Tees - Hey there Delilah   ?