The Choice Of All Narrative

Devlin- Watchtower

Devlin’s music video for his song ‘Watchtower’ is all narrative featuring Ed Sheeran and therefore I thought it would be interesting to look at this music video in relation to my idea. Devlin is a wrap artist and is a character in his music video. Typically, most rap music videos are edited to cut between narratives and rapping, the video usually demonstrates themes about drugs/sex/violence and sections of narrative will relate to the lyrics being said. This music video challenges the conventions by being all narrative and not showing the rapper singing which is usually used to help sale him as an artist. However the video does illustrates themes of violence which is typical of the genre demonstrating a new take on this theme.

Carol Vernallis a media theorist discusses narrative structure. She theorized that while films should be constructed linearly they should also be disjointed from the song. This video shows some disjuncture to the song. Her theories for music video narratives are also that the narrative for a music video is a visual response to the music, the narrative is not always complete and the video may stimulate questions for the audience. I asked my self three of Vernallis theories about this music video.

Is the video a visual response to the music?

Yes this music video is a visual response to the music. Devlin plays the character of criminal and the theme of ‘watchtower’ has therefore been changed into a criminal response. The music video begins with ‘There must be some kind of way out of here’. Instantly we know there is some sort of danger however it is ambiguous what this danger is and the music video shows a visual response to the music. Furthermore the narrative is intertwined with aggressive dialogue which further conveys the theme of criminals and aggression.

Is the narrative completed?

This music video ends on a cliff-hanger, as Devlin escapes rushing off, with Ed Sheeran in the car bleeding. The audience is ambiguous to if they get caught for the crime or remain free. This cliff-hanger therefore opens up interpretation for the audience as the narrative is not completed. However in some respects the narrative does end on an escape which can be considered the end to the narrative. On the other hand Devlin has driven himself and Ed Sheeran toward lightening which could suggest that there is more danger round the corner.

Does the video stimulate questions for the audience?

Yes! 

Why has Devlin stolen the mask?

Why is Ed Sheeran bleeding? This has not been shown in the music video and is quite a big mystery!

Where are they driving to at the end?

Exploring All Narrative Music Videos In My Chosen Genre- Indie 

I have looked at Bombay Bicycle Club's music video for their song ‘Leave it’. Bombay bicycle club are an English indie rock band and are signed to Island Records. The first half of their video is a continuous panning shot in a waiting room. From the use of panning the characters are contrasted with one another. The lyrics are sang but as part of the narrative. For example the man is seen at the commencement of the music video, sitting down.He is lip-synced to look as if he is speaking the lyrics instead of singing them. This therefore incorporates the lyrics as part of the narrative. Furthermore the gospel singers are singing the lyrics but in context to their scene. They sing the song as gospel singers and the mise en scene helps to clarify the context of this. The video then reverts back to a panning across the patients sitting in a line which looks like a hospital. The video ends with a close up shot of another man who has been theoretically lip-synced to look as if he is speaking the lyrics. I found this music video particularly striking for the constant camera movement. Characters are established through quick camera movement and therefore emphasized to me the effect that quick cutting can have for a music video. In conclusion it is clear that from this music video on going camera movement can help to reach a dramatic climax in the narrative. 

Bastille is another band similar to Dog Is Dead. They are an indie pop band and their music video for 'Bad Blood' also demonstrates the use of all narrative. However different to other indie music videos the band is featured in ‘a screen within a screen’ whereby the lead singer appears on the TV in the start of the narrative but is not actually performing, This therefore helps to stabilize the music video and his logo black leather jacket with Bastille written on his back subtly promotes the band. The singer often wears this black leather jacket in his music videos promoting the band name in the music video. Later in the video the lead singer is featured as part of the narrative however he is not singing the lyrics. In addition the lighting and colour for this music video is very dark and mainly low key lighting to demonstrate the tone to the music video which is a common convention of the genre. Moreover this music video has reassured me that all narrative music videos can effectively work and is effective for telling the interpreted story line to the music video. The use of all narrative creates a visual interpretation which can ultimately illustrate the mood of the song. 

Conclusion:
From looking further at all narrative based music videos I have learnt, Carol Vernallis theories on narrative structure that while films should be constructed linearly they should also be disjointed from the song. The lighting in an all narrative pieces is vital for authenticity of a mood and Quick cutting and camera movement can increase the dramatic climax in an all narrative piece.