Story in Video

[JazzyDJ]

There are many different kind of animated music video's out there. Some tell stories within the video, and most just use clips to try and make them look cool with the song and anime combo....

I leave the question to you.... How important do you think it is to tell a story within the video? Or do you think it's over rated an unnessesary as long as the video LOOKS cool?

[devilmaykickass]

Depends. If it's an action or dance video, story is usually irrelevant, though it can definitely add to either. But if it's something like drama or romance, the story is what makes the video.

Or maybe that's just for me.

[Tsunami Jones]

Like devilmaykickass, I think that it just completely depends on the type of video you're making . . .

[JaddziaDax]

i agree that it depends on the type of video youre making

[JazzyDJ]

The type of video I'm making is a character profile tribute. I want to call it action, but I'm actually using the classic movie formula where it builds up to a climax so most of the REAL action is missing from the beginning of the video and comes out in heavy force later at the appropriate parts of the song.

[Otohiko]

AMVs are visual and conceptual structures. As such, they should be structured enough to make sense to a viewer.

Now, how you actually structure them is up to you. A lot of people will say 'story', but AMVing isn't neccesarily storytelling (far from).

Personally, I dislike making strictly linear videos. And I would prefer seeing more good videos that aren't stories as such but still have a sort of conceptual weight to them.

[post-it]

strange subject ... indeed!

well, in order to tell a story the characters must speak - which sometimes destroys the AMV.

From an Animators point-of-view it better have a Plot to it .. or its just Wrong!!!

decide `First if you will follow the Music or have the Music describe the scene; not both.
[[ too many people today are trying to do both yet, without a Plot -- it just looks like hell. ]]

[godix]

well, in order to tell a story the characters must speak - which sometimes destroys the AMV.

I'm just curious, being totally 100% dead ass wrong is your hobby isn't it? I mean normally I'd expect someone to be right occasionally just out of sheer dumb luck but somehow you ALWAYS manage to be wrong. So I gotta wonder if that's intentional.

[shumira_chan]

Some tell stories within the video

I've been searching for these "story" videos for quite some time. The few which have any semblance of plot are laughably simple. I've yet to see any well-done AMV with a sensible three-part story arc. I seem to recall someone willing to prove me wrong with a narrative song called "go". That, of course, never got done.

[CrackTheSky]

well, in order to tell a story the characters must speak - which sometimes destroys the AMV.

..What...? No, just...no.

I've considered this subject many times, and discussed it in at least one other thread...I think the conclusion I've come to is that an actual STORY isn't necessary in every video, but a solid CONCEPT is. For example, this video does not have any chronological story structure to it, but it has a concept, which was to tribute Miyazaki's work. This video focuses on an important aspect of Buddhism, but again it doesn't have any kind of story arc. It's not always necessary to tell an actual story, but it's important that you have some sort of focus to hold your video together, even if it's just practicing mindless effects.