From How to Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck

Videos have genres, although you may not be used to thinking of them that way.

Instructional videos, “punked” videos, music videos, holiday videos, webcam rants, sketch comedy, stop-motion animation, tiktok memes and more.

Video genres clue the audience in to what your video is about. They also lock you into expectations. Fail to deliver on the genre expectations, and the audience is disappointed.

A sketch comedy video had better be funny. A music video needs to show the band and the entire song. A wedding video needs the “I do” moment. A product demonstration video should clearly show you why you’ll love the product. I should laugh and cry while watching a memorial video, and learn how to stack boxes during a workplace procedure video.

Genres may seem limiting, but the expectations they set up can be fun to screw with—Witness this 2010 mashup of a musical and college admissions video from Yale.

Then, in a straight "parody" genre, watch the Harvard Response. Nothing to do with mashups, but very funny.