3 Categories of Music Video
- Erica Li
- Dec 4, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 1, 2022
1, Conceptual music video
Is based on idea or concept, it combines the characteristics of the song into the video, mostly represented abtrastly.
“Into the Unknown” by AURORA has been presented as a conceptual music video. The background and the actor were the things to represent in the music video. The music video has a background setting with the idea or concept of a fantasy world, with snow, medieval clothing, and a castle. The actor was represented as a character that did not feel human, with blue eyes and the white hair. “Into the Unknown” music video is represented abstractly, there wasn’t a narrative in it. White hair and blue eyes of the actor could be associated with the snow, therefore the representation of the background and the actor could be linked.
Adding on, the cold colour palette filter used in the music video also matched the feeling that the actor is giving. The clothing of the actor were not always represented with medieval style, also with abstract art style and modern style, which again represented that the background of the music video is not based on any story.
2, Performance music video
Is when the audience focuses solely on the performance, Usually pop and rock genre music has music video revealing with performance.
“I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor” by Arctic Monkeys is a performance music video. This music video has been created by representing the live performance, and has revealed a feeling that the audience is actually watching the performance in real life. Close up shots are often used to reveal the movement of the artists, and their facial expressions. For example shots to represent the hands playing the guitar or the lip movement of singing, Therefore details of the performance has been represented clearly to the audience. It has demonstrated a unique style and energy by using the record of the live performance as the music video.
3, Narrative music video
Present as a visual narrative, story created in the video that is link to the lyrics rather than performing.
Lady Gaga and Beyoncé’s song “Telephone“ has a visual narrative and performance music video. This music video is 9:30 minutes long. A storyline is created by problems represented and issues solving. The first problem appeared with Lady Gaga going to the women prison. She has represented her villain characteristic there as she was well fitted into that society, and has become the middle of the circle. She acted crazy and wore several crazy and unique costumes in that music video, which also represented her uniqueness and characteristic. The first issue solving represented when Lady Gaga is out of the jail, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga’s friend has sent her out of the jail, and has also represented a villain characteristic with the same style of costume Lady Gaga’s wearing, and her car style.
The second part of the story began as Lady Gaga and Beyoncé decided to murder all of the people in a restaurant. The identities of Beyonce and Lady Gaga have changed, Beyonce has represented as a customer and Lady Gaga has represented as a chief. Problem solving has been represented with Beyonce and Lady Gaga has used poison and added it into the food for all of the people in the restaurant. Then there is the third problem, after the murder, polices have found out that Beyonce and Lady Gaga were the murderer, and were trying to arrest them. The ending is represented without a problem solving, however it represents the attitude of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé as they decided to move to another place and never go back.
Comments