Exemplar music videos

Panic! at the disco- This is Gospel (acoustic version)
Performance



Synopsis:
Setting- An industrial area possibly the loading area of a disused factory.  The dilapidated appearance of the buildings add to the sombre nature of the song.
Character- The "character" portrayed in the music video is that of Brendon Urie the lone member of the band Panic! at the disco.
Mise en scene- Natural lighting, minimalist setting, random props fall from above throughout.
Props- A white grand piano is used as the main prop of the piece as well as a number of items which are thrown at Brendon as he sings such as eggs, chicken, spaghetti, fruit loops, blue dye, milk and glitter.

Plot overview:
This music video has no clear plot but a stunning effect is created through the use of props.  The music video may symbolise the way that Brendon Urie attempts to move away of expectations held up by society.  This can be conveyed by the way which he destroys the traditional iconography of a grand piano as well as his suit.

Evaluation:
Although this music video has no clear plot I think that the performance portrayed by the artist is in keeping with the image presented by the band and therefore is widely successful with fans.  I feel that the original concept of this music video would also intrigue viewers as the composition of shots and combination of items is intriguing to watch.

My Chemical Romance- NaNaNa
Narrative and symbolic


Synopsis:
Setting- This music video is set in a dystopian California in 2019.  
Character- The main characters in this music video are Party Poison (Gerard Way), Kobra Kid (Mikey Way), Fun Ghoul (Frank Iero), Jet Star (Ray Toro), The Girl and Korse.
Mise en scene- Bright colours which symbolise freedom and rebellion, suit like clothes which symbolise the constraints of society, desert scenes
Props- Ray guns, Masks, TransAm (Killjoys car), Speaker, Draculoid masks.

Plot overview:
Before this music video takes place the sun has emitted powerful rays of solar radiation and the civilisation has been split into the desert zones filled with rebel freedom fighters known as killjoys and the city leaders BLI (Better Living Industries) whom drug the inhabitants of the city in order to make them unaware of the issues facing the world and stripping them of identity.  In this music video the viewer sees the Killjoys battling with a BLI agent known as Korse and Korse abducting The girl.  This music video is part of a two part series and has a continuated story ark spanned over comics by Gerard Way.
Evaluation:
I find this music video interesting due to the fact that whilst the band play large roles in the video this is not a performance piece due to the fact that they do not sing.  I also like the way that the fast paced shots create an exciting and dangerous atmosphere as well as the fact that the video has an extended story arc.

Melanie Martinez- Alphabet Boy
Performance and symbolic

Synopsis:
Setting- The music video takes place in a pastel pink room which is likely a studio setting.  
Character- The character in this music video is played by Melanie Martinez the artist of this song.  Martinez often embodies the childlike character in her music videos.
Mise en scene- Pastel colouration, children's toys, children's clothing.
Props- Alphabet building blocks, candy cane, lighter, diploma, water gun, alphabet soup, knife, fridge and alphabet magnets.

Plot overview:
This music video contains little plot but focuses on tying itself to the song lyrics and often features direct parallels between actions and lyrics.  The plot features Martinez embodying a young child and singing about the unfairness of being looked upon as ignorant by men with degrees.

Evaluation:

I like this music video because of the way the pastel colours are used to convey a theme of innocence which is again shown through the use of childlike toys such as building blocks and a dummy.  I also like the way that the music video displays parallels to the songs lyrics and feel that this is especially interesting as the music video contains lyrics to the song in an almost karaoke format.