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bop_radarThis week in our vidding chats I want to start talking about different narrative styles in vids. There's a lot of meta out there already on this subject, and many experienced vidders or vid-watchers may have discussed this and thought about it for a lot longer than I have. But this post is where I ask everyone--whether a vidder or vid-watcher--to share with me your thoughts on the following subjects:
- What different types of vid are there?
- What characterises these different types? How do they vary in their structure?
- (As a vidder) are you mainly concerned with telling a story? with making an argument? or with capturing a mood?
- (As a watcher) do you prefer a particular narrative style in the vids you like (e.g. linear story)? /do you have a preferred genre of vid (e.g. humour)?
Disclaimer: a lot of this discussion is about defining different terms and that has disadvantages along with advantages. While it can make it easier to discuss things if we have a shared understanding of certain terms, there are many vids that defy easy classification--and that's absolutely FINE. I hope that this discussion will prove interesting; it is not my intention to limit the ways in which we make and view vids, and everything I say here can be contradicted.
Genres
Before we get to narrative style, I thought we should first think about the different genres of vid. Here are some that spring to mind for me:
- Character studies: focus on a character or characters
- Shipper vids: focus on a relationship
- Comedy: for the giggles!
- AU or constructed reality: the vidder departs from canon and builds their own story from the source
- Action: Vids that foreground action
- Multifandom: Vids that use source from several different sources/fandoms
- What![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sockkpuppett calls universe vids (vids that show the universe of a show). The term 'recruiter vid' is often used to describe these--they showcase a certain fandom to those who may not be familiar with it.
What other genres can you think of?
Narrative
As a beginner vidder who had watched vids for some time, I was aware of the difference between a (canonically) chronological vid (simply put: clips appear in the order they appear in canon) and a non-chronological one (clips jump around in the canoncial timeline). That was about as subtle as my understanding of narrative in vids got. My very first vid took a chronological approach--it basically recounted one story arc from canon with very few 'diversions' along the way. I was self-conscious that it was 'unsophisticated' because it seemed like the simplest form of narrative. However, I am still drawn to vidding that way and I have made my peace with it.
However, my understanding of different types of vid narrative has deepened, and now I tend to think in terms of the following:
1. Linear narrative
These vids 'tell a story'. There is a beginning, a middle and an end. They can either tell the same story as in canon, or they can tell a different story.
2. Non-linear narrative
There are many forms of non-linear storytelling. One of the simplest examples is a vid that features 'flashbacks' in certain sections. A more complex non-linear narrative may be one that at first appears chaotic, if associative, but which gradually builds up a complex picture of a certain show, character or situation.
3. Persuasive or argument vids
These vids have a central 'argument' that the vidder is making. They may use clips selectively to make or pointedly to make that point. These may be 'meta' vids since they don't just tell a story, they make a point.
4. Vids that 'tell deeper'
This is a term that I thinklaurashapiro first coined. She defines it as follows: 'As a vidder, my interest lies in retelling canonical stories with different emphases, exploring events or feelings that might have gotten glossed over in the show, or characters that received short shrift. I think of this as "telling deeper." And again, that's all about subtext: picking a clip not because of what it literally shows, but because of the emotional information it carries -- which can be due to context, movement, facial expression, or even something as deceptively shallow as color.'
(Personal note: I love telling deeper in my vids!)
5. Freeform/associative vids and mood vids
These are kind of stream-of-consciousness vids--I do think they exist. They may build connections between things, there may be a bit of a story or an argument, but mainly they flow along seamlessly and create an overall impression. In some ways I think humour vids often fall into this category since they're main intention is to capture a certain comedic tone, rather than make an argument or tell a story.
Complicating things further, these categories are not mutually exclusive: you could have a non-linear persuasive vid that is also highly associative, for instance.
Each of these different types of narrative, like each different genre, have their own characteristics. For beginners, maybe the easiest way to think of them is as different ways of organising the clips within your vid.
Related meta
There's a lot of great meta out there on this subject, which you may be interested in if you want to read up on how other vidders think of these things. Here are some related posts, but feel free to share your own:
-heresluck asks what types of vid are there?
-heresluck discusses vids as storytelling.
-heresluck talks about narrative.
-yourlibrarian talks about vid categories.
Discuss!
Now the fun bit! Talk to me! Tell me about the vids you watch and the vids you make. Here are some extra questions to add to the introductory ones above (and to encourage you to talk as much as you want! :p)
- When watching a vid do you ever get confused about the intention of the vidder? do you lose track of the story or argument? What helps you NOT to lose track of the story? What keeps the narrative clear?
- When you think about different categories of vid, what are the main types you think of? (Feel free to give examples of different types--I was going to do so but ran out of time. *g*)
- Vidders: what narrative styles do you use? Do you think about narrative when you vid? Does it help you organise your vid?
- Does it even matter at all? :) Does my post make sense? (Ask questions/quibble with it, if you wish!)
- If we were to discuss a particular genre or narrative style one week in these chats, which would you be most interested in discussing? *ulterior motive*
- What different types of vid are there?
- What characterises these different types? How do they vary in their structure?
- (As a vidder) are you mainly concerned with telling a story? with making an argument? or with capturing a mood?
- (As a watcher) do you prefer a particular narrative style in the vids you like (e.g. linear story)? /do you have a preferred genre of vid (e.g. humour)?
Disclaimer: a lot of this discussion is about defining different terms and that has disadvantages along with advantages. While it can make it easier to discuss things if we have a shared understanding of certain terms, there are many vids that defy easy classification--and that's absolutely FINE. I hope that this discussion will prove interesting; it is not my intention to limit the ways in which we make and view vids, and everything I say here can be contradicted.
Genres
Before we get to narrative style, I thought we should first think about the different genres of vid. Here are some that spring to mind for me:
- Character studies: focus on a character or characters
- Shipper vids: focus on a relationship
- Comedy: for the giggles!
- AU or constructed reality: the vidder departs from canon and builds their own story from the source
- Action: Vids that foreground action
- Multifandom: Vids that use source from several different sources/fandoms
- What
sockkpuppett calls universe vids (vids that show the universe of a show). The term 'recruiter vid' is often used to describe these--they showcase a certain fandom to those who may not be familiar with it.What other genres can you think of?
Narrative
As a beginner vidder who had watched vids for some time, I was aware of the difference between a (canonically) chronological vid (simply put: clips appear in the order they appear in canon) and a non-chronological one (clips jump around in the canoncial timeline). That was about as subtle as my understanding of narrative in vids got. My very first vid took a chronological approach--it basically recounted one story arc from canon with very few 'diversions' along the way. I was self-conscious that it was 'unsophisticated' because it seemed like the simplest form of narrative. However, I am still drawn to vidding that way and I have made my peace with it.
However, my understanding of different types of vid narrative has deepened, and now I tend to think in terms of the following:
1. Linear narrative
These vids 'tell a story'. There is a beginning, a middle and an end. They can either tell the same story as in canon, or they can tell a different story.
2. Non-linear narrative
There are many forms of non-linear storytelling. One of the simplest examples is a vid that features 'flashbacks' in certain sections. A more complex non-linear narrative may be one that at first appears chaotic, if associative, but which gradually builds up a complex picture of a certain show, character or situation.
3. Persuasive or argument vids
These vids have a central 'argument' that the vidder is making. They may use clips selectively to make or pointedly to make that point. These may be 'meta' vids since they don't just tell a story, they make a point.
4. Vids that 'tell deeper'
This is a term that I think
laurashapiro first coined. She defines it as follows: 'As a vidder, my interest lies in retelling canonical stories with different emphases, exploring events or feelings that might have gotten glossed over in the show, or characters that received short shrift. I think of this as "telling deeper." And again, that's all about subtext: picking a clip not because of what it literally shows, but because of the emotional information it carries -- which can be due to context, movement, facial expression, or even something as deceptively shallow as color.'(Personal note: I love telling deeper in my vids!)
5. Freeform/associative vids and mood vids
These are kind of stream-of-consciousness vids--I do think they exist. They may build connections between things, there may be a bit of a story or an argument, but mainly they flow along seamlessly and create an overall impression. In some ways I think humour vids often fall into this category since they're main intention is to capture a certain comedic tone, rather than make an argument or tell a story.
Complicating things further, these categories are not mutually exclusive: you could have a non-linear persuasive vid that is also highly associative, for instance.
Each of these different types of narrative, like each different genre, have their own characteristics. For beginners, maybe the easiest way to think of them is as different ways of organising the clips within your vid.
Related meta
There's a lot of great meta out there on this subject, which you may be interested in if you want to read up on how other vidders think of these things. Here are some related posts, but feel free to share your own:
-
heresluck asks what types of vid are there?-
heresluck discusses vids as storytelling.-
heresluck talks about narrative.-
yourlibrarian talks about vid categories.Discuss!
Now the fun bit! Talk to me! Tell me about the vids you watch and the vids you make. Here are some extra questions to add to the introductory ones above (and to encourage you to talk as much as you want! :p)
- When watching a vid do you ever get confused about the intention of the vidder? do you lose track of the story or argument? What helps you NOT to lose track of the story? What keeps the narrative clear?
- When you think about different categories of vid, what are the main types you think of? (Feel free to give examples of different types--I was going to do so but ran out of time. *g*)
- Vidders: what narrative styles do you use? Do you think about narrative when you vid? Does it help you organise your vid?
- Does it even matter at all? :) Does my post make sense? (Ask questions/quibble with it, if you wish!)
- If we were to discuss a particular genre or narrative style one week in these chats, which would you be most interested in discussing? *ulterior motive*
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no subject
Date: 2008-10-11 03:13 pm (UTC)As a vidder? I am concerned with telling a story. The story doesn't have to be canon, but I try to have a beginning, middle, and end to vids I make. Not always linear, either but some structure. Or else I just get happily lost in pretty pictures. Again, my vidding style is very much like my writing style (I think, I haven't really thought about my writing style). I do find the way I make vids is now influencing how I write but that's another topic. :-) I have always liked stories in music videos (like MTV), since people started making them. I think I have definitely been influenced by those.
As a viewer? I'll watch anything. I just don't want to get lost. It is so easy to get lost in a vid. When you start asking too many questions in your head, instead of just sinking into the vids world. I can even be well-anchored in a vid of an unfamiliar fandom. Like the Dark Angel vid 'Big City Lights'. (Not linked because of time, sorry.) I never saw an episode of that show, but I saw its story in the vid. So many vids are almost 'recruiter' vids for me. 'Sugar' by
But here's the thing, I am so story-oriented I will find a story where there is none! I, as viewer, make up my own story! It was funny when
But here is a question, I wonder how vidders feel when someone (like me) has a different interpretation on their vid style or its story? As a vidder, I think it's fun! I think, "Wow, you saw that? Didn't intend it, but great for you!" I'm just happy people watch and find something they like. :-)
As viewer though, sometimes I worry, I got the vid 'wrong'. I thought it was a character study and it was an 'argument' (like your Middleman) or I thought it was a linear narrative, when it was a shipper vid. I enjoy watching but sometimes I feel puzzled. I don't want to offend someone and their hard work by missing the point, you know?
no subject
Date: 2008-10-11 03:21 pm (UTC)I feel that artists can never control how audiences receive and understand their work, and giving up the need to do so is part of what frees us creatively. I keep my audience in mind while vidding, but I also understand that alternative interpretations are a good thing: part of what makes the audience's experience interesting.
And often a viewer will say "I love the part where X did Y, because you were saying Z and it was so cool." And I think "Wow, I never meant to do that, but that IS cool!" Viewers can help you understand your own work in new ways.
I do feel that if the majority of viewers totally miss the key point(s) of a vid, then that vid has failed -- it's not communicating its message. But that's not something I blame the audience for! And if it's just a small percentage of the audience that didn't get the key point(s), well, that's not a vid that failed, that's just "you can't please all of the people all the time." ::shrug:: nothing wrong with it.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-11 03:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-11 11:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-11 07:45 pm (UTC)*watches again* Yep, still monumentally slashy! :D Funny how just a few moments make it seem so. Anyway I have been thinking about this (in general, not just about this vid), because it's very interesting. Sometimes I too feel like I miss the point of a vid, and so I just kind of slink away from it without further thought, which I think is the wrong response. Because vids cross lines. Really good vids can be seen from many different angles. For example, aren't all character vids arguments? Arguing for a particular view of a character? And shipper vids almost always also have to be character vids for the respective characters? Different viewers may just focus more on one bit than the other, either because of what they want to see, like you say, or for whatever reason. But coming from a different angle isn't seeing the vid "wrong." At least I don't think it is. There's a point in my first vid where I intended something pretty specific, and of the people who commented about that specific moment, all of them saw the opposite. But I thought that was awesome, not "wrong." And I wonder if most vidders wouldn't think that way too.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-11 11:11 pm (UTC)I agree. Sometimes it brings me to a new understanding of my own vid! It's that heartening moment when you discover that the vid exists beyond you, as an entity in its own right.
And it can be useful feedback. If I get heaps of people having a certain response I'll go back and think about why that is so, and that may inform my vidding in the future.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-11 11:06 pm (UTC)*giggles* You are awesome. Thank you. I like that point very much... it makes me thinky about the fact that we (as humans) have a strong impulse towards narrative. It's how we make sense of our world and we are trained into it in all we read and absorb from an early age. So maybe vidders can rely on their viewers to find a story!
I wonder how vidders feel when someone (like me) has a different interpretation on their vid style or its story?
I find it fascinating and love it. Some vidders may mind but I haven't run across that in my experience...
I enjoy watching but sometimes I feel puzzled. I don't want to offend someone and their hard work by missing the point, you know?
I do know that feeling and worry about it too. Especially when I have a REALLY strong reaction to a vid in a certain way and drivel it all out in comments and then worry later that the vidder will read it and laugh. (Perhaps we should have a chat one day about feedback?) 90 per cent of my expreriences with that have been really positive though. I think that in most cases where a viewer connects emotionally with a vid (in whatever way) then they've tapped into something 'true' that the vidder is going to be pleased to hear about, even if it wasn't exactly what they set out to do.