types and styles of music videos

1. Performance Music Videos
Performance video focuses on the artist and his performance.
Performance videos mainly target the “Rock” genre. The artist
would be performing on the stage with his band in front of the
audience. “Pop is also very commonly targeted in performance
videos as it is also used as a marketing tactic where artist 'sell
their identity' - self promote themselves, to their audience,
Performance could also be a choreographed one. This not only
creates interest but also give the artist a new identity.
Performance videos are cheaper in cost, no setting is required,
one only needs a suitable place for filming. Performance videos
adds to another promotional scheme, they temp the fans into
buying ticket for their shows. Moreover there is a chance that a
lot of people would come to see their performance live. But
apart from the advantages these music videos at one point
could be boring and also they could lack creativity.

2. Performance Music Video Example:
One example of performance based music videos could be a song
(Doorie) by a Pakistani singer “Atif Aslam’’. The video however goes
around with a narrative but it also has a performance going on. The
video stars off with name of the main singer being announced. This
was the first album by the band so it has a lot of shots of the band
itself.
http://tune.pk/video/10962/atifaslamdoorie

3. Narrative Music Videos
Narrative videos are when there is a story playing in the music
video. Within the narrative genre of music videos there are three
different types of narratives:
Illustration - this is where the narrative in the music video very
closely reflects the lyrical content of the song. For example “Love
Story” by Taylor Swift

4. Amplification - The narrative may be slightly influenced by the
lyrical content however it uses different themes to compliment the
songs 'feeling'.
For Example “Don’t Kill The Magic” by Magic
Disjuncture - this is where the narrative holds very little relationship
to the song and it quite arbitrary meaning random.
For Example“Somebody that I used to know” by Gotya

5. One of the biggest disadvantage of narrative could be that it could cost
a lot to the record label to produce it. But on the other hand it could
engage the audience more easily.
One good example of narrative is “Love the way you lie”- Eminem
The video tells a superficial narrative of an abusive relationship. The
video features Dominic Monaghan, a well-known actor in the TV series
Lost. Megan Fox an actress and model. Though Eminem appears time
and again in this video but the narrative revolves around the couple
caught in the throes of a chaotic exchange of physical and verbal
abuse.
http://vimeo.com/55409979

6. Concept Music Videos
Concept music videos usually have no storyline and have no
relation with the lyrical content of the song. The video usually
has no concept, no plot to follow. It is interpretive and could have
polysomic ending therefore leaving up to the audience to decide.
It is usually the most remembered by the audience due to its
uniqueness and creativity. Concept music videos are often
Symbolic - there is often lots of symbols to build up a meaning,
lots of montage of clips and images, lighten is often used to
suggest a mood, pace to represent emotions and meanings,
pictures often support and contradict lyrical meanings.
However the biggest disadvantage of such music videos could be
that sometimes as by being too random they could not simply be
understood by the audience moreover by not featuring the artist
in it, however the artist wouldn’t be able to promote his identity.

7. Example of Concept based music videos:
“Take Care” by Drake and Rihanna is a conceptual video. In the music
video we get the image of a dancer, a fish, a bird flying, a bull
dodging arrows, Drake‘s body disintegrating, trees on fire, and Drake
and Rihanna holding each other Though it seems abstract but it
portrays what seems to be the abstract ,that every living thing is
connected, and will eventually come to an end.
http://vimeo.com/39762226

8. Other Types Of Music Videos
Surrealistic
Interpretative/ Impressionist
Animation
Parody/Homages
Surrealistic:
These music videos are very abstract, and may or may not
have a relation to the music itself, the music videos are usually
a blend of live footage and animation. They appear as rather a
dream or a vision.
Example: Lady Gaga- Bad Romance
http://vimeo.com/7545847

9. Interpretative/ Impressionist:
Similar to surrealistic music videos, Interpretative music videos can be
abstract and may or may not have a direct relation to the music. The
difference between both of them is Interpretative videos don't usually
contain distorted, or un real imagery, they aren't intended to be
surrealistic but rather focuses on adding a creative visual experience
to the music in which viewers can interpret differently.
Example: Na Re Na- Ali Azmat
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3gu9b_na-re-na-ali-azmat_news

10. Animation:
Animation based music videos are simply partially or entirely
animated music videos. This the most cheapest style music video
to produce since it is entirely digital, and props, venues, cameras
and other equipment aren't needed.
Example: Rude Boy- Rihanna
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1n0xog_rihanna-rude-boy_music

11. Parody/Homages:
Parodies are usually fan made, comedic versions of well known music
videos. The lyrics are usually changed but the style and the rhythm is
the same.
Example: Hello Kitty- Avril Lavigne Parody
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x237733_avril-lavigne-hello-kitty-
parody_videogames
Whereas Homages are more of a tribute, they do not change the lyrics
or the style, but rather get inspiration from them and include certain
elements from it.