Performance, Narrative and Concept

What is performance?

A performance element of a video is when the artist is actually performing the song on a stage or studio etc.

Example of performance

The music video for Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry' contains a mixture of footage. However performance is present throughout, in which Fergie is singing into a microphone, on stage with a band playing in the background.

The use of performance is effective due to the setting, a barn/lock up type building, taking it away from the usual stage setting to fit with the pop/country genre.

Why is this effective?

Performance is beneficial for the band/artist as it showcases their song as their own (you know it's their song). However it is also effective for the music video as it differentiates between the 'story world' and real life. For example in Fergie's video she is mainly shot whilst interacting with her boyfriend, she is here being portrayed as another character, whereas when we see her performing we immediately recognise that it is Fergie.

Will we use this in our video?

We will not be using this particular method as we have chosen to do a dubstep song which contains no lyrics. It would therefore be very hard for an actor to perform the song on a stage, as well as this it wouldn't fit with the theme of the song. Using performance would reduce the dark and eerie feel to the song and video.

Concept

A concept video does not have a 'story line', it is conceptual. This may add meaning to the song in a way that is not obvious to the viewer.

Example of a concept video

'Don't Stop' by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers is a good example of a conceptual video as it features different sculptures throughout. This replaces an actual storyline, however still makes you think about the song in a deeper way, for example you may wonder what the sculptures represent.

Why is this effective?

This is effective as it differs from the 'norm' and creates a sense of individuality. It also fits with the target audience for the genres of songs that would typically use conceptual videos. As well as this they can add a greater sense of design and colour to the video therefore making it more aesthetically pleasing

Will we use this in our video?

Our video is a concept, narrative hybrid. This means that we have a mixture of the two, however our video is mainly conceptual as the narrative is fairly weak. It is conceptual as we are using a lot of editing to represent a change in mood and danger etc. We are also using costume and props to signify these changes as opposed to a really clear narrative.

Narrative

Narrative is the representation of a song through a clear story line. This story will relate very closely to the lyrics of the song.

Example of narrative

Katy Perry's 'Roar' is a perfect example of a narrative video. It shows the journey of a girl (Katy) through a jungle experience, which ends in her being 'queen' of the jungle. 

This relates to the lyrics as the words "you're going to hear me roar" are repeated throughout, which are obviously connotated with the animals found in a jungle.

Why is it effective?

Narrative is effective, as it makes the video concept very easy to follow. It is typically used for pop songs which are usually watched by young girls who will maybe need this obvious story showed to them. 

Will we use narrative?

Are video is a concept narrative hybrid. Although it is more conceptual narrative is still present. This is because the story is not necessarily obvious to the person watching the video however there is still a story line. The story itself is a girl in a mental hospital, being haunted by herself as a child and then the story of how she ended up in the hospital. 

This may not be clear to the person watching as it is in a non-chronological order and is created mainly through memories of the past tense.