Different types of Music Videos

Three different types of Music Videos

Performance Based Conceptual Narrative

Performance Based A performance based video shows the Artist/Band/Group

throughout the video. They may create videos with a lot of performance in to build a relationship with the audience and to show off their star identity.

This type of video is the assumingly cheapest and easiest to do. They use a variety of different shots of the performance

throughout the video such as close ups, low shots, wide shots, mid shots, long shots, and lots more. An example is by the band Linkin Park

Conceptual A concept based music video, is a music video which has no

structured narrative, and were the lyrics do not match what is happening in the music video at all. This type of music video would instead be centered around the random concept of the video.

This type of video is fairly unusual and are a lot harder to film, and would therefore be not only harder to do, but also more expensive.

These types of videos also aren’t very popular as they are not very easy to relate to, one good example is: Paradise by Coldplay.

Narrative Music Videos Narrative based music videos contains mostly footage that shows

a storyline that runs throughout, or sometimes several storylines running parallel to each other.

Sometimes with actors and sometimes with the artist themselves, the story will either link to the lyrics of the song, or just the overall theme. However, It is more expensive and there is more to think about, for example; The location, actors, etc.

A good example of this is Magic by Coldplay

Styles of Music Videos Animation

Interpretive Impressionist

Inter Textuality Surrealist

Allusion

Animation Animation based music videos are simply partially or entirely

animated music videos. This style of music video is usually cheaper to produce since it is

entirely digital, and props, venues, cameras and other equipment aren't needed.

This style of music video can also compliment a song as it may suit its mood, or can attract their target age group. An example - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Love Rollercoaster 

Interpretive An interpretive music video is a music video which can be in

interpreted in many different ways by it's audience. Each person could see the video in a different way and get a

different understanding of what the video is about. An example of this is The Beatles Blue Jay Way.

Impressionist An impressionist music video is a music video which rather than

focusing on small details of the picture it instead focuses on the atmosphere and conveying the moods and emotions aroused by the subject.

An example of this style is Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know with the use of primary colors to portray moods and emotions.

Surrealist A surrealist music video is a music video which features artificial

and unreal elements in it. This could be artificial characters or set moving artificially. It can

often be compared to a dream like affect. These music videos are very abstract, and may or may not have a

relation to the music itself, these videos are very artistic and creative.

They appear to be influence by visions or dreams. An example is Disturbia by Rihanna.