During this task, I have produced, my own initial ideas for a music video which includes a song idea that matches a possible final narrative that could be used within my group when we finalise our choices. In the slideshow below, I have compiled together the multiple elements needed to produce a successful plan for my initial ideas. The slideshow includes, a Wordcloud to help finalise my performance and narrative ideas, my final narrative, a clear plan for the performance aspect, and the song that I chose, which is ‘Don’t let the sun go down on me’ by Elton John.

In order to understand what makes a music video stand out from others, I have researched music videos with different narratives and analysed how they can be interpreted.  Below I have chosen three music videos that have a variety of illustrative, disjunctive and amplified narratives, they may also include different structures such as thematic, episodic, linear and anachronic.

Story of My Life – One Direction:

The narrative of this music video by One Direction is linear and is amplified by the flashbacks to their childhood as we see their growth. The lyrics within this video correlate to the narrative as we see each individuals story. The video is mainly performance based however there is a clear narrative as we see surrounded by childhood photos and recreating them to show how they’ve changed.

Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran:

This music video by Ed Sheeran is based on his experiences growing up and it is appealing to a younger audience as it represents teenage life and how carefree you are at that age. This music video is illustrative with a clear episodic structure. The narrative is amplified and supported by flashbacks to a younger Ed Sheeran as the lyrics match the actions happening in the video. The video cuts randomly between the flashbacks and Ed Sheeran performing. There is a strong ending to this video as we see past and present day Ed Sheeran sitting in the woods with his friends reminiscing and reconnecting.

Don’t Call Me Up – Mabel:

The video above is illustrative and the narrative overview matches with the lyrics that are sung, this gives the video a meaning. Within this video there are a combination of performance and narrative elements and has the performer filling an active role throughout. There is a clear narrative within the video which portrays a boy begging for his ex girlfriend to take him back, but she is refusing. There is not a proper, strong ending to this music video as it ends with a montage, I feel that the ending of this video could have been improved.

Three Of My Own Narratives

• Madness – A girl creates her own reality to escape from the real world and all of her problems to live her truth. However her new reality soon begins to take over her life and her new world starts to change from a happy retreat to a dark and terrifying land.
• The Piano – A young boy finds an old piano tucked away in a dark corner of his house that used to belong to his grandfather. After messing around, he found his true passion and talent. As we see the boy grow and move through life, the piano becomes less important as his skills begin to improve and he buys a new piano. We see his career as a performer grow and at the end of the video, he once again uncovers his old piano and feels like a little boy again.
• Look Out – A teen girl is trying to escape her dysfunctional family life and have time to herself. She comes across a hidden path in the woods that leads to a secluded look out. It is here she is at her happiest as she finds peace away from her busy life. Then one day, after escaping her crazy life, she come to her hideout and finds something unexpected…

To be able to understand what makes a good music video, it is important to see a wide variety of other work as a way of gathering an idea as to what makes a successful video. I have studied a previous student’s music videos that show proficient use of technical production skills that I will have to use and understand when creating my music video.

Now that I have an understanding of what elements are needed to make a good music video, I have assed and analysed a previous student’s work, #Message Man 21 Pilots. Their work received fairly high marks based on their technical production skills. Throughout the video, they showed excellent use of a variety of shot distances and shot transitions, as well as often syncing the shot changes to the beat of the music. There was proficient use of editing to effect the narrative and it made sense. There wasn’t much use of a tripod throughout the video, the camera work was often shaky, there is the possibility that this was used to reflect the narrative, however the camera work could have been better. The use of mise en scene varies throughout and the use of different setting contributes to the overall feel/performance of the video. The video ends with a cliff hanger as the video cuts from and extreme close up of the actors face to a black screen then back to an extreme close up in a different setting.

This students work is a good example of a music video, it shows a wide variety of technical production skills and has a clear narrative which keeps the audience hooked the whole way through. I now have an idea of what elements I need to include in my music video, this will include things such as a variety of shots as well as making sure the music, editing and narrative match.

To be able to understand what a music video is, you have to understand all of the elements that they made up of to make them successful as well as being able to decode other artists work. Music videos are compiled together with the use of many different technical conventions so that they fit their genre and reach the desired target audience. These features will often include Mise En Scene and a narrative/performance that will hook the audience as well as the artists branding. It is important to understand these features so that when I come to make my own music video I have this knowledge that will make it possible for me to challenge the conventions.

Now that I have the knowledge and understanding of how these elements and technical features are used within music videos, I will be able to reflect upon and apply this knowledge when producing my own music video. Most music videos will include a performance and/or a narrative aspect, as a way of keeping the consumer hooked and making them want to watch the video again. In doing this, the artist will have a higher amount of view as their audience will enjoy viewing their work. The use of the elements such as Mise En Scene are critical when it comes to planning and outcome. MES is used to set the scene and create the story, it also helps to show the performer in the correct light and helps to augment the minor details. Understanding these key aspects means I will be able to apply them in my own work.