Narrative and Performance
Narrative in songs tends to suggest a storyline or complex fragments in a non-linear order. Narrative usually leaves the viewer with a desire to watch the music video again. Steve Archer emphasises the fact that music videos usually use both narrative and performance. Elements such as choreographed dance, which help visualisation for the audience, current examples of this are Gangnum Style and the Harlem Shake. These dances have a strong repeatability factor and encourage the audience to get involved and try the dance routine. Also the use of lip-synch and the miming of playing instruments.
A music video offers the audience the chance to present themselves to the audience in a new way. The music video is a very different performance from a live show or a band interview. The artist has the opportunity to manipulate factors that will give them a completely different image such as mise en scéne.
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
1. a state of equilibrium at the outset
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption
4. an attempt tp repair the disruption
5. a reinstatement of the equilibriu,
Following the theory of Todorov, my music video generally follows the stages of a conventional narrative. However the first stage is not included, my main character is seen by the audience at the behinning on my music video in a state of disruption from her normal equilibrium. My music then shows the audiences stages 2 - 5 as my character recognises her problem at home, then instead attempts to find happiness surrounded by nature which leads her back to a state of self-content.
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption
4. an attempt tp repair the disruption
5. a reinstatement of the equilibriu,
Following the theory of Todorov, my music video generally follows the stages of a conventional narrative. However the first stage is not included, my main character is seen by the audience at the behinning on my music video in a state of disruption from her normal equilibrium. My music then shows the audiences stages 2 - 5 as my character recognises her problem at home, then instead attempts to find happiness surrounded by nature which leads her back to a state of self-content.
Some of the most successful and most memorable music videos have strong narratives, they encourage audiences to watch them more than once and provide an opportunity to see artists in a different light to their light performance.
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