Here are some examples of the techniques used in music videos

1. Techniques Used
in Music Videos
By Indzhi Razakyazam

2. Definitions
• Technique
A way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic
work or a scientific procedure.

3. STYLES
• Narrative
• Performance
• Concept
• Intertextuality

4. Performance
• A performance based video shows the artist or band performing in some
ways to the camera
• E.g. One Direction – One Thing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xs_xPb46M

5. In concert/’as live’ footage
• Uses real life footage (not staged) of the band or artist performing life and
can be seen most commonly in Rock and Indie bands.
• E.g. One Direction – Little Things
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGPeNN9S0Fg
h

6. Narrative
• In media, narrative refers to the way a story is told. In this case we are talking
about how a music video communicates a story to its audience.
• E.g. Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuNIsY6JdUw

7. Illustrative Narrative
• An illustrative music video is one which will use the literal lyrics as a basis for
the visuals. The visuals and the lyrics have a strong bond.
• E.g. Beyoncé – 7/11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuNIsY6JdUw

8. Interpretative Narrative
• These music videos can be interpreted in different ways by its audience, as their
thinking can differ from each other; therefore they will get different understandings
from the music video.
• E.g. Vance Joy – Riptide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k
• In this music video some people may see it as rape, and men searching for women
to rape, whereas on the other hand this music video could have included visuals like
this for the sake of describing the title of the song and added women visuals in it in
order to make it look more attractive – male gaze

9. Concept
• These videos are based around a single idea or concept and are usually
abstract, obscure and something surreal. The unusual content is an attraction
to many consumers, which draws them in.
• E.g. Kanye West - BLKKK SKKKN HEAD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q604eed4ad0

10. Intertextuality
• This means ‘the relationship between texts’ which in music video terms
means when one video references another media text in some way.

11. Pastiche
• This is where one media text references another in an affectionate way (as a tribute)
E.g.
• Kanye West – Mercy (ft. Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Pusha T)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dqgr0wNyPo
VS
• Kanye West - "Mercy" (PARODY) "Mazda“
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GTSdxb8aSU

12. Parody
• This is where one media text imitates another. The
key difference is that parody will do this mockingly,
whereas pastiche does so in tribute to the original.
Sometimes the between them is nor entirely clear
cut.
• E.g. Eminem – Monster (ft. Rihanna)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHkozMIXZ8w

13. THANK YOU FOR
WATCHING!