Narrative theories...
What is a narrative? - A chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring in time.
Aristotle theory - States that every narrative has a:
- Beginning
- Middle
- End
This is seen in 'Grenade' by Bruno Mars as there is a clear narrative in the video showing his struggle to get back with his partner and the journey he goes through.
Vladimir Propp theory - This 20th century theory suggests that there are 8 types of character:
- Hero
- Villain
- Donor
- Dispatcher (messenger)
- False hero
- Helper
- Princess
- Her father
There are only 31 things that they can do, making it predictable.
This theory is based on Russian theory tale so it can difficult to apply this to music videos, however it can be seen. For example it is seen in T.I's 'Live your life' with Rihanna. We can identify the specific roles as the narrative occurs.
Izetan Todorv theory - This suggests that a narrative is structured in 5 stages:
1 - State of equilibrium from the out set
2 - Disruption of the equilibrium
3 - Realisation of the disruption
4 - Attempt to repair the disruption
5 - State of equilibrium is reinstated
Allan Cameron theory - 4 main parts to it:
- An achronic - Flashback
- Forking paths - Contradictory narrative
- Episodic - Shorter stories that happen to be disconnected
- Split screen - Split into 2 or more split screens to show different events
An example is Jamie Lawson's 'Wasn't expecting that'. There are flashbacks as the narrative goes in reverse.
Levi Strauss theory - This refers to binary opposites. It includes when two characters are in conflict or argument through narrative tension.
An example of this is 'Single ladies' by Beyonce. It is seen with the binary opposite of light and dark.
Narrative and song (lyrics).
Illustration - Echos lyrics
Amplification - Adding to themes
Disjunctive - Little relationship to the song
Music videos:
- Narrative
- Performance
- Conceptional
Narrative and performance refers simply to the artists performing the piece of music in the music video. Normally this is in a strange/different place so it isn't as boring. This is seen in 'Brainstorm' by Arctic Monkeys. They perform in a mysterious location making the video more exciting.
There is an example seen in 'Me Hero' by the Foo Fighters. People are seen in the beginning happy and content, a fire then breaks out in the house, people then get trapped in the house, the male realises that he needs to rescue the people from the house and then he actually does rescue them.
