Music Videos...From a Writer's Perspective

Basically, what does Writer's Block think of music videos?

One of my favorites that I had seen recently is Lana Del Rey's "Born to Die":

First of all, I love the song. It has that mystical touch to it. However, I love the hint of a story behind it. Basically, love leads to death. It reminds me of the music video for "Love the Way You Lie", although that one is breath-taking by itself. It helps that Rihanna is featured in that song during her "Rated R" period as well as the execution. But it uses Interplay of Sex and Violence in a compelling way to show the relationship ending in an inferno.

Say...the music video of "We Found Love" even follows this format. Music video genre? YKTTW?

Any other music videos that turned on your writer's mindset?

edited 27th Dec '11 8:42:12 PM by chihuahua0

I hate to sound like I'm disagreeing with you yet again... but frankly, all the music videos I've ever seen have given me no real reaction except for What Do You Mean, It Wasn't Made on Drugs?.

^ That's not to discount the music videos you haven't seen yet.

For me, I hardly pay much attention to music videos - when online, because I look at music videos for the music myself. Yet sometimes you get provocative visuals like "Je Suis Si Mince" or that really complement the music.. there's one video I remember that just consists of a woman walking down the downtown streets by pale Sunset, and you're wondering where is she going, why does she look so happy, etc. Those sorts of videos I love - you can imagine what might be going on, and it can all be true.

edited 27th Dec '11 9:38:49 PM by QQQQQ

Of course not. But I sincerely can't remember ever having any different reaction, so I'm inclined to think that this will hold true in all cases.

Anyway, the question isn't really "what do you think of music videos" as "how have they influenced you as a writer" - and in that case, I think it's perfectly valid to say what I did. The only way music videos have ever helped me as a writer to is to give me inspiration for any drug-induced hallucinations I might need to write someday.

Every once in a while, someone has an idea that makes me wish I'd thought of it first. This video contains such an idea.

edited 27th Dec '11 10:45:12 PM by feotakahari

The Scientist by Coldplay made me wonder if I could write a story in reverse chronological order. After wondering how literally I could take the definition of "reverse chronological order", I stumbled across constrained writing. Apparently, reverse chronological order is apparently too easy and broad compared to no verbs, one vowel, a 40000 word book consisting of two sentences, but anyway. Music videos.

They're not good for whole plots. I look to them for concepts, if anything. And if I find that a music video is an homage to a classic film or piece of literature, I will usually watch or read the original.

edited 27th Dec '11 10:54:18 PM by Leradny

Personally, I think music videos are a good stepping stone for those who want to become film directors (Michael Bay got his start in music videos). I hope to become wealthy enough to fund and produce my own music videos before moving on to becoming a film producer/creator.

I wish music videos had more action in them. These days, music videos are nothing but dancing and Fanservice. I want to see more shootouts, car chases, and fights in music videos. For this reason, Eiffel 65 music videos ("Blue", "Move Your Body", "Lucky (In My Life)") and Skrillex music videos ("First of the Year (Equinox)", "Ruffneck (FULL Flex)") are some of my favorites because they have action in them.

Here's an interesting thought: How would you put a Magnificent Bastard (The Chessmaster + Manipulative Bastard) into a music video (assuming that's even possible)?

BTW, can we save the Michael Bay bashing for another forum? (I added this in case someone wanted to turn this forum into a Bay-bashing session).

The problem with going all out for music videos is that people are generally reluctant to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a film piece that is five minutes long. If you're looking for a cheap or easily filmed way to make a music video, action is not the genre to choose. Trying to compress all the trials and tribulations of filming a two-hour action movie into a five minute film, along with the fact that you have to pay for stunt doubles or training of the actors, means that you get extremely stressed out directors.

edited 28th Dec '11 7:22:04 PM by Leradny

...I thought this was going to be about writing a music video script.

As it stands, this is just "opinions on music videos IN THE WRONG SUBFORUM!"

It's "opinions on music videos...from a writer's perspective".

I created this thread mostly because the Music subforum is much slower than this one.

Here's an interesting thought/challenge: Is it possible to make a music video with a Magnificent Bastard (The Chessmaster + Manipulative Bastard + Dangerously Genre-Savvy + Xanatos Speed Chess (latter two are optional but encouraged)) in it?

Probably. The character type could be shown making the band member clash against each other.

edited 19th Jan '12 4:32:34 PM by chihuahua0