The document discusses three main types of music videos: performance videos, narrative videos, and conceptual videos. Performance videos focus on the artist singing and dancing for the camera. Narrative videos tell a story that may or may not relate to the song's lyrics. Conceptual videos are based around one or more abstract concepts and often feature symbolic imagery. The document also provides examples of each type and asks the reader to identify the type of six different music videos.

1. Types of music videos
L/O: to understand the 3 different types of videos and be able to
identify them

2. 3 different types/approaches/styles
Performance Narrative Conceptual
All about performance of artist/group to camera or
audience. Popular in rock bands and cuts between
band members. Also popular with mainstream artists
who need to be focus of video, dancing/singing etc.
Part of self promotion and a brand: if audience see
good singing/dancing, they are more likely to go to
the concerts/buy singles/albums etc
A video which has a story line, it may or may not
relate to lyrics of song.
Often used for songs used in films, (cuts from film)
TYPES:
Illustration: narrative reflects lyrics
Amplification: narrative may be influenced by lyrics
but may use different themes to compliment song’s
‘feeling’
Disjuncture: narrative holds very little relationship to
song and meaning is random/unrelated
More usual and based around 1 or more concepts
that make the video ‘unique’ in some way and often
quite ambiguous and/or abstract. Often have specific
editing technique. Also often, more common with
indie artists who might not want to promote their
image/identity.
TYPES:
Thematic: based around theme, depends on genre (ie
rap = might feature lots of streets)
Symbolic: symbols to create meaning: can have lots of
montage, light suggests mood, pace suggests
emotions, images can support or contradict lyrical
meanings
Advantages: cheap, fast, easy to make, just effort with
setting/costume, allow self-promotion
Disadvantages: can be generic, uncreative as very
common
Advantages: Audience can empathize with artist’s
intentions….can also show they aren’t just about
performing/singing (common in mainstream pop
artists who are selling an image) If plot is simple, it’s
easy to engage audience further than just listening to
song
Disadvantages: can be expensive to produce, if plot is
not clear, audience can be confused about message
Advantages: can be creative and artsy, can be unique
and memorable
Disadvantages: some audiences can find them
confusing/too far fetched, if artist not present in video
– no self promotion

3. Task
You will be shown 6 videos, you have to identify the type. There is 1 of each
(some have some performance but ultimately belong in another category)
1. Performance
2. Narrative (Illustration)
3. Narrative (Amplification)
4. Narrative (Disjuncture)
5. Conceptual (Thematic)
6. Conceptual (Symbolic)
Videos are:
Britney – Everytime
Rudimental – Waiting all night
Red hot Chili Peppers - Otherside
Little Mix – Wings
Katy Perry – TGIF
Pink Floyd – Learning to Fly
Can you identify them all correctly?

4. 2 institutional types
MAINSTREAM INDIE/ALTERNATIVE
Beyonce:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JPKLa-Ofc
Radiohead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIFLtNYI3Ls
Considering the artists and target audience, why this type/approach to a music video?

5. Back to the types of videos……
• Britney – Everytime = NARRATIVE AMPLIFICATION
• Rudimental – Waiting all night = NARRATIVE DISJUNCTURE
• Red hot Chili Peppers – Otherside = CONCEPTUAL SYMBOLIC
• Little Mix – Wings = PERFORMANCE
• Katy Perry – TGIF = NARRATIVE ILLUSTRATION
• Pink Floyd – Learning to Fly = CONCEPTUAL THEMATIC