SVENN E CARLSSONMusic Video Theory

BY ANDREW THOMAS-PEMAGBI

Carlsson’s Theory

Binary opposites provide a core to the narrative of a video. For example black and white.

Music videos fall into two categories:- Performance - Conceptual

Performance Videos

Performance can be three types: song/dance/instrumental performance. Carlson believes that the artist should portray themselves as ‘role

models’ for the genre and the type of persona that they portray out of their music life. Here, Carlsson’s theory emulates that the artist becomes an item for the audience and that they are advertising themselves through this. There are two types of performance videos:

- Electronic Shaman – the Shaman isn’t visible and they tell a story through visual and their voice anchors this.

- Televised Bard – It a personal story with personal images to aid it.

Performance videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq8ZSzY6UEU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOrnUquxtwA

Conceptual Videos

The platform of a video being of a conceptual type is when the artist has artistic ambitions. This would mean that the artist would not be seen much within the videos but if is seen, it would be very briefly. The focus of the music video is to mainly capture the setting or surrounding and is normally heavily linked to the title of the song.

Conceptual Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IH8tNQAzSs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC4xMk98Pdc