"A video recording of a performance of popular music"
~This is the definition given by the dictionary of Merriam-Webster.
However, I don't think this is a very adequate explanation to the meaning of a music video...
On a technical aspect, a music video is a short film that combines music and visual imagery as an extension to the song and is used to promote the song as well as representing the musician.
On an artistic level, a music video heightens the meaning of the song and illustrates the personality and style of the musician/s. It can create a closer emotional proxemic with the artist and better understand the musician's intention and objective of the song.
In general, there are three forms of music video:
Narrative
Performance
Concept
Narrative
A narrative music video is one that features a sequence of images that communicates a story much like a mini movie.
Narrative music videos especially apply to songs which are the theme songs/sound tracks of a film, and therefore be a montage formed by extracts from the film. An example of this is 'Writing's On The Wall' by Sam Smith for the 007 James Bond film Spectre (2015).
Writing's On The Wall official music video--Sam Smith
Sam Smith performing the song in one of the settings from 'Spectre'.
The music video includes many shots from the film; James Bond sees his name in red, spray-painted on the wall. This mirrors the name of the song 'Writing's On The Wall'.
Another example is 'No Time To Die' by Billie Eilish for the James Bond film 'No Time to Die' (2021)
No Time To Die official music video--Billie Eilish
The editing style is rather different to 'The Writing's On The Wall', Split Screen layering is used to a great extent in the music video for 'No Time To Die' where Billie Eilish sings with a glossy black and white filter by the side of footage from the film.
Both music videos for the 007 theme songs are more of a combination of performative and narrative music video, by integrating the artist into mise en scènes from the film. The marketing strategies is very clear as the theme song is used to promote the film and use the power of the song artist (fans) to create more excitement for the film, and the music video helps market both the song and the film.
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There are more obvious narrative styled-music videos such as 'You Belong With Me' by Taylor Swift who is an artist known for her high-quality narrative style music videos.
You Belong With Me official music video--Taylor Swift
There is a clear narrative structure for the love story:
Initial equilibrium
Girl in love with the boy next door (quite literally), but the boy has a girlfriend
The boy and his girlfriend have a toxic relationship
The girl and the boy are friends
Issue-disequilibrium
The girlfriend flirts with the boy's team mate after an American football match
This upsets the boyfriend very much
Solution
The girl goes to prom/ball
New equilibrium
The girl and the boy are finally together
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Performance
A performance music video is when the performative aspect is heavily emphasized and involves a great deal of lip-syncing (for those who have lyrics) and likely body language is used to accompany the performance such as dance.
'Help!' by The Beatles is an example of a performance style music video.
'Help!' official music video--The Beatles
'Help!' is a British musical comedy starring The Beatles. The title track sequence 'Help!' is arguably an archetype of performance type music videos nowadays:
Editing that cuts to the beat
Multiple angles and compositions to create a dynamic and fresh feel to the performance
Lip-syncing
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'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift is another example of performance style music video.
Shake It Off official music video--Taylor Swift
Dance performance is the core of this music video, it explores various dance styles ranging from Ballet to Hiphop, creating an inclusive feeling towards all dance styles. The performance in the music video mirrors the dynamic and free nature of the lyrics and further makes the artist seem fun and approachable. Therefore, when her fans see this music video, they would likely feel closer to Taylor Swift and shorten the emotional proximity between fan and star.
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'Ride' by twenty one pilots
Ride official music video--twenty one pilots
The mise en scène and costumes are very simplistic compared to 'Shake It Off' and lighting is used to create symbolism using footage with high exposure and night-time footage with noise, at the very end there is a shift in background as the drummer and singer/guitarist move to a set that resembles a stage by utilizing large lights and flashes.
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'Tous Les Mêmes' by Stromae is another example of performance style music video
Tous Les Mêmes official music video--Stromae
Stromae uses some conceptual elements through the use of lighting (fluorescent pink and turquoise) to emphasize the symbols and message conveyed, this complements the performance and his transition from being a 'woman' to a man. Body language is heavily used to conform to gender stereotypes in a sarcastic way and the frequent transition of settings give the music video a constant flow which keeps the audience engaged and intrigued.
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Concept
Concept music videos tend not to follow an obvious storyline nor explicitly reflect the lyrics, it is mainly a medium to expand the artist's creative vision and can focus more on the mood and atmosphere of the music.
'As It Was' by Harry Styles uses the form of a concept music video.
As It Was official music video--Harry Styles
Codes and conventions tend to play an integral part in concept music videos, for example, in the music video of 'As It Was', the symbolic codes of blue and red are used to represent fire and water. This dichotomy is an extended metaphor for the relationship between the man and woman, suggesting the difference in nature but also the compatibility of the two.
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Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' is also an example of concept music video.
This Is America official music video--Childish Gambino
This music video is more of a combination of performance and concept music video as a lot of the concept is embodied through body language. Furthermore the mise en scène is equally significant in this music video, and many cultural and symbolic codes are used to illustrate sarcasm and juxtapose with each other (Childish Gambino's facial 'happy' expressions in the background of chaos and aggression). The body language is used by the artist to integrate what he actually means when saying 'this is America' and demonstrates the problematic phenomena in American culture, racism being one of the key aspects focused on in this music video.
-Racism (alludes to KKK)
-Gunshots~violence
-Representation limitation
-Weed consumption
-Social media addiction
-Poverty
...
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Who is involved in the making of Music Video?
(This varies with different artists)
Pre-production:
-The artist: most artists tend to be involved in the planning of the music video in order to show their personality and concepts
-Director: Involved in every stage of the production, directs people to carry out their roles
-Storyboard artist: Works with the director to plan each shot for the music video
-Art director: Finalises the visual elements of the music video
-Set director: Finalises the set of the stage (props, proxemics, space)
-Producer and co-producer: Find finance and purchase everything needed for the music video
Production:
-Costume designer
-Makeup artist
-Lighting team
-Director
-Executive producer
-Director of photography
-Camera operator
-The artist (some artists don't appear in their music videos)
-Performers (This also depends)
Postproduction:
-Editor
-Marketing manager (how to release/promote this music video?)
-The artist
-Sponsers (some music videos are sponsored, and they would have specific requirements with the release and distribution of the music video)
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