2. Task
In this task, I will be researching how narratives are
constructed in music videos in the electronic dance
music genre.
I will do this by observing different music videos and
using narrative theories to deconstruct them.
This is to give us an idea of how to structure our
music video when we plan and produce it.
3. What is narrative?
Narrative noun The narrative is how a plot or story is told.
4. Narrative Theories
Propp’s theory – characters fit into a “character
type,” such as hero, villain, princess, donor, etc.
Toderov’s theory – narratives progress through 5
stages (equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt
to repair, new equilibrium).
Barthes’ theory – problems can be solved through
action or an enigma.
Strauss’ theory – narratives include binary/absolute
opposites.
5. Skrillex – First of the Year
An example of a linear, single-strand music video (it follows
the single story between the two characters).
At first, we are given two binary opposites (Strauss) – a creepy
old man and an innocent young girl.
The old man is assumed to be a paedophile due to the use of
props such as the rag and chloroform. This means that he
would be a villain in Propp’s theory. However, the following
actions of the girl (using demonic powers to kill the man) are
too extreme for her to be considered a hero or any other
character type.
6. Skrillex – First of the Year
The video is fairly dark, revolving around the idea of
killing paedophiles with demonic powers. While
paedophilia is a problem to be overcome at the start
of the video, the extreme consequences of the little
girls actions make it hard to view the situation as
“resolved.”
For the same reasons, it is also hard to relate the
narrative to Toderov’s theory.
7. Porter Robinson - Language
Another example of a linear, single-strand music
video (following the female character throughout).
Again, it involves a sort of chase, in which the female
character is being followed/chased by (CGI) dogs.
She is then assisted by a transparent CGI creature.
8. Porter Robinson - Language
Using Propp’s theory, we can loosely identify the
dogs as the villains of the narrative, chasing the
princess character who is saved by the CGI monster.
There is no clear equilibrium at the start or end of the
video. The only recognisable attempt to resolve the
disruption (being chased by the dogs) is when she
turns around and starts chasing them.
9. David Guetta - Titanium
Another example of a linear, single-strand music video (it
follows the story of the young boy throughout).
The boy in focus appears to have supernatural powers,
and for this reason is being chased by armed police.
He is represented as a harmless child who is scared,
therefore, even though he is being chased by the police,
it is difficult to apply Propp’s theory and label him a hero
or a villain.
10. David Guetta - Titanium
Again, in regards to Toderov’s theory, the music
video starts without a clear equilibrium, and instead
starts after the disruption. It also ends without a new
equilibrium (instead it ends without the audience
knowing what has happened to the boy).
There is no true binary opposites featured.
11. Our Video
It is a common theme among videos in the “EDM”
genre to have a linear and single-strand narrative. I
would presume that this is because it would be
difficult to tell a multi-strand narrative in such a short
amount of time and a non-linear video would be
difficult to follow.
It is also fairly common for the video to start at the
disruption stage of Toderov’s theory, which is
something we may have to consider when creating
our music video, as the limited length of the video
means we cannot fit all 5 stages into 4 minutes.
I have also found that Barthes theory is a bit too
complex to relate to music videos, again due to the
short duration of these products.
