Narrative and Performance

Narrative in songs, as in poetry, os rarly complete and often fragmentary. The same is true of music promos, which tend to suggest storylines or offer complex fragments in a non-linear order, leaving the viewer with the desire to see them again. As Steve Archer puts it:

" Often , music videos will cut between a narrative and a performace of the song by the band. Additionally, a carefully choreographed dance might be a part of the artist's performace or an extra aspect of the video designed to aid visualisation and the 'repeatabillity' factor. Sometimes, the artist (especially the singer) will be a oart of the story, acting as narrator and participant at the same time. But it is the lip-synch close-up and the miming of playing instruments that remains at the heart of music videos, as if to assure us that the band really can kick it" (2004)

The video allows the audience more varied access to the performer that a stage performance can. The close-up, allowing eye contact and close observation of facial gestures, and role-play, within a narrative framework, present the artist in a number of ways not possible in a live concert. The mise en scene, in particular, can be used:

As a guarantee of 'authenticity' of a band's musical virtuosity by showing them in a stage performance or rehearsal room;

To establish a relationship to familiar film or television gnres in a narrative-based video;

As part of the voyeuristic context by suggesting a setting associated with sexual allure, such as a sleazy nightclub or boudoir;

Or, as John Stewart suggest, to emphasise an aspirational lifestyle, as in the current emphasis on the latest gadgetry.

Other commentators have identified some other styles in music videos, including gothic, animated, dreamscapes, portraiture, futuristic and home movie. In the analyses which follow, many of these appear.

"Take On Me" Aha 1984 (director Steve Barron)

"Everytime"Britney Spears 2004 (director David LaChappelle)

Some of the most memorable music videos have had a strong narratives and often the encourage the viewer to want to see the video more than once. They also offer the viewer the chance to see their favoured artist in a different role whilst still offering plenty of opportunity to see close ups and performance.

Im going to include narrative because it will make the video more strong for the song that I'm going to use therefore I would have to imclude some kind of narrative but also I would like to include some kind of misteru because then it would make the audience to think about this video and maybe to show it to other people and talk about it. The main singer will be the cast that I'm going to uise for my narrative and I think the atress that I hace chosen will suit the role she will have to play.