Different Types of Music Video

In our lesson we have been looking at various different types of music videos. These videos include different genres of music and different styles of video.
For example, we looked at PERFORMANCE BASED videos. These specialize in featuring the artist performing for most/all of the video and usually consist of close up and intimate shots of the artist, making them the centre - e.g Lady GaGa - Edge of Glory.
Another type of video we researched into was NARRATIVE BASED videos; these consist of performance elements from the artist but also have a narrative strand that can either go with the lyrics or have nothing to do with them at all - e.g Gwen Stefani - Cool.
And lastly, we looked into CONCEPT BASED videos. These may not feature the artist at all, and are usually rather unique; they are usually based on an idea or concept - such as Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice.

We watched many other videos in class and I went further by looking into some of my own, such as Hero by Enrique Iglesias and Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran.

For performance based videos (looking at Lady GaGa - Edge of Glory specifically) have to change shots and angles frequently to make sure that the audience doesn't become uninterested. The crazy outfit and makeup that she has in the videos are emphasised through different shots - where a mid shot and long shot shows the audience the extent of her costume, and the close ups of her show the creativity of her make up and her wig. This will keep the audience interested as well her performance elements because there is always something new and different to be watching. She also promotes her other talents through the performance element e.g dancing. Her routine will give the audience other things to watch and take note of and will therefore keep them interested in the video.

Narrative based videos consist of the artist performing as well as a strand of narrative that runs along side it - Gwen Stefani's 'Cool' is an example of this. 'Cool' has her in her bedroom singing (sitting, lying down) and the camera always moves when it is on her performance. Unlike 'Edge of Glory' Stefani doesn't perform, she just sings. This reflects the feel of the song, and the narrative does as well. The lyrics and the narrative are closely related. The narrative will have to vary in shots and movements to make sure that the story can be followed and hold interest to the audience. The narrative must also have some sort of closure or sign of an ending so that the audience are satisfied with the end of the story - just as a good book must have just as good an end.

Concept based videos are more abstract than the other types of music video. For example, 'Weapon of Choice' by Fatboy Slim doesn't really have a narrative and doesn't feature the artist at all - although the performance element is throughout. The dancing and the flying elements of this music video are what hold the interests of the audience, and because the mimer is Christopher Walkin whom many people know because of his success as an actor. Concept videos can be about nothing at all and still be successful, such as 'Latch' by Disclosure.