What makes a good music video?

There are three types of music videos. These are Narrative based, Performance based and concept based. A narrative based video is where the video tells a story. A performance based music video is where the artist is shown performing in the video. A concept based music video is where the video has no link to the song and is just various ideas which perhaps match the lyrics.


Narative Based

A example of this is The Decemberists - Military Wives

This video tells a story and shows subtitles to help the audience to understand what is going on. The camera uses closeups to introduce new characters. The video involves instruments and lip syncing which make the characters look like they are playing the tune and actually signing the lyrics which makes it seem more realistic and interesting to watch. The costumes contribute a lot to the story of the video as they are very steriotypical which tells the audience who everyones roles are. The choreography is in time to the beat of the music which makes it look more effective. The lyrics in the song are linked to whats going on in the video which makes the storyline easier to understand and more effective to watch.

Another example of this is Lady Gaga and Beyonce - Telephone

This video is in the style of a mini movie. The start and finsh both feature credits. Subtitles in the video tell the audience what is going on aswell as the acting that goes with the lyrics for example when the prison officer tells Lady Gaga she has a phone call, the music starts playing as she sings the opening of the song to answer the phone using lip syncing. The props and the actors used in it make the story and setting more realistic for example the prison scene. Advertisments of a mobile phone are used which shows synergy. The camera zooms in the phone which makes the audience focus thier attention on it. The dancing goes to the beat of the music which looks effective. The talking between Beyonce and Lady Gaga make the story in the video more realistic and interesting to watch as we understand it more.

Performance Based

An example of this is The White Stripes - The Hardest Button to Button

In this video the artists are playing thier instruments and lip syncing the lyrics so are performing. There is very quick cuts with each beat which matches the tempo of the music. The editing is very jerky which suits the sound of the song and there is no transitions. The costumes which the artists are wearing stand out from the location and setting as it is a bright red against a mostly green background. The idea of the video is very retro which i think portrays the image of the artist as they want to be seen as different and retro.

Another example of this is Kings Of Leon - Sex on Fire
The video starts off as narative based, as the visuals are telling a story which match with the lyrics of the song. The artists lip sync and the camera zooms in on the lead singers face, mainly eyes and mouth, to show expression and that he is the main focus. As we hear the chorus the video turns to performance as the band use instruments and are lip syncing. This gives the impression they are really playing the instruments and singing the lyrics so it feels more realistic. If the band are standing still the camera pans around then so there is always movement.

Concept Based

An example of this is Bjork - Declare Independence.

The beat of the music matches the movements of the video. The beat is very robotic which is portrayed in the robotic style choreography. Also there is visual machinary which is moving to the beat. Bjork is singing in a robotic style, repeating the lyrics, which looks almost as if she is giving the people orders. The dancers are all in sync with eachother and Bjork is lip syncing the lyrics. The lyrics 'Declare independence, dont let them do that to you', is almost like she is telling the people marching.

Another example of a concept based video is OK GO - Here is goes again
The lyrics to this song are very repetitive which suits the idea of the video as this again is very repetitive. The choreography does not link tell a story with the lyrics but is just an idea. The dance moves are in sync with the beat and there is no lip syncing. When there are no lyrics, the dancers stand still until the lyrics start up again. The shot of the video is all mid shot as if a camera is on a tripod filming the dancers. They stay in the same area and never go off camera. They are wearing colourful costumes which makes them stand out against the plain background. This makes the audience focus on them. As the tempo of the music speeds up the dancing speeds up also.
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