Types of Music Videos: Narrative

"Music videos can be categorized into three different categories- concept -based, performance-based or narrative-based" - Firth's theory of Music Videos (1998)

3. Narrative-based 

Narrative-based music videos such as the one displayed above tell some sort of story. I find it kind of interesting that such a category exists (according to Firth) considering all forms of film (music video included) tell some sort of story, whatever form it may be presented in. The story might be short-lived, a simple meaning or complicated and though-out narrative, nevertheless all these are stories.
The video above is obviously the well-known A-Ha and their song "Take On Me". This was the closest video I managed to find pre-21st century that was mainly narrative based. I'm very aware that there's an element of performance in this video...but let's pretend that doesn't exist for the time being. The narrative or narrative concept is simple- a woman in the "real world" meets and supposedly falls for a comic book character being invited into his drawn out world. Although many people complain about the sheer cheesy-eighties-ness of this song, the music video itself has established quite a high position in the world of music videos. The little adventure the female character goes through develops a connection to the viewer (as all narratives should do), so that by the time we reach the climax we're rooting for the two lovers and following their story throughout.

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Type of Music Video: Performance

"Music videos can be categorized into three different categories- concept -based, performance-based or narrative-based" - Firth's theory of Music Videos (1998)

2. Performance-based 

This type of music video is pretty self-explanatory. It involves an artist(s) performing an aspect of the music to which the video has been created, whether that be vocals or instruments. However, some have argued previously that a dance sequence performed to the music can also be considered a performance, although the performers aren't performing an musical aspect of the song they are nevertheless performing something. I think I can both agree and disagree with this, depending on to who is performing and how they are performing whatever the performance may be. For example- if an artist were to be playing an instrument or singing to their own track, I would consider that performance based. In relation to dance- if say someone was dancing knowingly they have an audience (suggested either through an audience in the video or eye contact) I would regard that also as performance based. However if this isn't the case, I think it can be argued that the video isn't performance based but narrative or conceptual. Dance can also tell a narrative through the way a person expresses themselves through the movement of their body, at the same time dance can also be conceptual based- perhaps this can have something to do with what type of dance they're performing and the relation of this to the music. 

Going back to this particular example, this was the best performance music video that I thought was effective pre-21st century. I think the reason it works as a performance is how well it demonstrates the simplicity of the song. Considering this is pretty much the most non-rock track of Extreme the video had to fit to the conventions of the music and strayed a little from the punk established image of the band. The slow movement of the camera and fairly steady editing pace reflects the mood perfectly, and the elegancy and down-to-earthness (for lack of a better word) of the black + white shades fits also. This video fits in perfectly with Firth's theory as there is no trace of narrative or non-related concept evident. 

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Types of Music Video: Conceptual

"Music videos can be categorized into three different categories- concept -based, performance-based or narrative-based" - Firth's theory of Music Videos (1998)

Many have argued that this theory may have been applicable during the period that Firth came to this conclusion and music videos had come a small way since their introduction. However in our century, music videos have seen the most development. Now- with a growing audience- it's not enough for entertainment to have solely concept based, narrative based or performance based music videos. In fact the blend of these three styles allows for a more accurate, entertaining and creative response to a music track. With significant technological improvements also, the possibilities available to directors for shooting a music videos are steadily increasing. I think it would be hard for anyone to agree with Firth's theory, and even if they did, the music videos created today that can comfortably slot into one of these categories aren't that common.

1. Concept- based

 A concept music video tends to portray an idea that's (in most cases) not related to the music in any way. Judging by what I've seen of concept music videos, it's a response to the sound and feel of music track more than the lyrics. I think most concept videos communicate the movement of the sound throughout the song and evoke the appropriate "mood" more than display an interpretation for the viewer. Perhaps you could say it provides you with an interpretation of emotion rather than meaning. This music video by Daft Punk for their song "Around The World" can be classified according to Firth's theory displayed above. Even this video can be argued to actually be performance based, due to the dance being performed, and even this video was fairly hard to dig out. I'd argue that pure concept based videos tend to be quite rare, maybe this is due to the difficulty in creating something conceptual that's at the same time creative, entertaining and an appropriate portrayal of the music. "Around The World" according to me, ticks all of those boxes, as I see it to be conceptual rather than performance based.

(to be finished)

http://www.slideshare.net/ksomel/music-video-narrative

http://heathenmedia.co.uk/red/2012/09/24/performance-narrative-concept-videos/