Different Types of Music Video

Jack Halford

Different Types of Music Video- There are 3 main types of music

video:- Performance- Narrative- Concept- As well as this there are two sub-

divisions of narrative music videos which are:

- Performance Narrative- Broken Narrative

Performance Music Videos- A performance video is one that focuses on the

artist/band performing the track. Some videos feature the band performing alone whereas others feature the band performing to a live audience

- Performance videos usually use a wide variety of camera movements/shots and often use the same sequences/similar sequences for the chorus of songs

- These videos can take place in constructed settings or on location and often move from location to location throughout the video

- Often performance videos feature dance routines/costume changes and many have their own visual style which is associated with the band/artist

Performance Music Videos

Advantages- Good for promotion- Shows off bands

performance ability/talent

- Allows for direct contact with audience

Disadvantages- Can be dull for the

audience so require features such as dance routines/advanced technical features to keep the video interesting

- Doesn’t allow for a story/message to be put across

Performance Music Video -Example

Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song - www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0

Narrative Music Videos- These contain a visual story that is easy for

the audience to follow. Pure narrative videos contain no lip-syncing.

- The narrative usually links to the songs lyrics however this link can be very subtle

- In narratives time can be altered and narrative videos often feature flashbacks or sometimes jump forwards in time

- The artist/band may appear within the video as characters within the narrative or as observers or sometimes not at all

- Narrative videos can contain a message which is reflected within the story

- Some narratives may mimic things within the real world such as; films; genres; or popular culture.

Narrative Music VideosAdvantages

- Provide the foundations for a band/artist to get a message across

- Can easily be made unique/memorable

- Easier to integrate intertextuality into

- Allows for performance/concept to be mixed into it

Disadvantages- Sometimes turn

into short films rather than music videos

- Can be hard to relate to the song And/or band/artist (not essential however)

Narrative Music Video -Example

a-ha– Take on Me - www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914

Performance Narrative Music Videos

- The most common form of music video. These are videos which feature a performance within the narrative world of the video

- Performance narrative videos can be used to show off the artists performance talent

- These videos can also be used to create an image for a band by using a particular style of narrative or visual style

Broken Narrative Music Videos- A broken narrative video is one which has a

performance outside of the narrative world cut into it.

- These videos are good because they can utilise features of both performance and narrative videos . A narrative can be featured which enables the band/artist to put a message across if they wish and also by using performance it can also show off the band/artist’s talent

Concept Music Videos- These types of videos are the most

rare/unusual and are videos based around an idea or concept. They are unusual images and narratives which enhance the overall piece

- Some concept videos are artistic with no link to the song

- Artistic concept videos are more common within electronic music or experimental videos.

- Concept videos are sometimes integrated into performance/narrative videos on order to make them more accessible

- These videos are often used to make the audience think more deeply about the song/video

Concept Music VideosAdvantages

- Lots of freedom/creativity

- Can be used to send a message to the audience

- Due to their unique styling they are usually memorable and therefore boost the band/artists popularity

Disadvantages- Due to their

ambiguity the message may not get across to the audience

- Can be seen as controversial so could tarnish the band/artists image

Concept Music Video -Example

Peter Gabriel– Sledgehammer- www.youtube.com/watch?v=g93mz_eZ5N4