# Concept Music Video — Format

> Abstract or symbolic visual. Not narrative or performance. Pure visual interpretation of song mood.

## Format basics

- Length: 3-5 min (song length)
- Aspect: 16:9 (often artistic)
- Abstract visuals
- Mood / theme over story
- Artist may or may not appear
- Visual experimental ambition

## Structure

Less rigid than narrative or performance. Often free-form. But typically:

```
0-15s    OPENING IMAGE
         Establish visual world
         Set tone

15s-2min DEVELOPMENT
         Visual exploration
         Mood building
         Imagery cascade

2-3min   PEAK
         Visual climax
         Most striking imagery

3-4min   RESOLUTION
         Visual completion
         Return to opening or transformation

4-5min   OUTRO
         Final image
         Lingering effect
```

## Sample concept MV

```
TITLE: Concept Video for "Karavan" by Ayla

GENRE: Electronic / ambient
LENGTH: 4:30
CONCEPT: Coffee transforms throughout the song. Single coffee cup
in the center of the frame. Around it, the world changes.

VISUAL CONCEPT:
Locked-down camera, fixed framing. A single white ceramic cup in
center. Around it, time and space shift.

SCENE 1: Empty room. Cup empty. White walls. Quiet.
SCENE 2: Steam rises. Coffee being poured (no hand visible).
SCENE 3: Sun moves across walls (time-lapse, several days).
SCENE 4: Walls become forest. Trees grow up around cup.
SCENE 5: Snow falls in the forest. Cup remains.
SCENE 6: Stars and night sky replace ceiling.
SCENE 7: Coffee glows from within (subtle special effect).
SCENE 8: Walls return. Cup is now full. Steam rises.
SCENE 9: A hand reaches in. Lifts the cup. Gone.
SCENE 10: Empty cup returns. Empty room. Sun rises again.

ARTIST APPEARANCE:
Brief moments — artist seen reflected in the coffee surface, or as
silhouette through the steam, or hands holding cup at very end.

CUTS:
On beat throughout. Each scene transition matches musical movement.

PURPOSE:
Coffee as metaphor for time, memory, presence. Concept echoes song
themes.
```

## Key principles

### Visual concept central
- ONE strong concept
- Carried throughout
- Not narrative-driven

### Imagery cascade
- Striking visuals throughout
- Each beat memorable
- Tableau-quality

### Symbolic / abstract
- Open interpretation
- Audience finds meaning
- Mood over plot

### Music drives editing
- Cuts match beats
- Visual rhythm = song rhythm
- Build matches song build

### Artist optional
- Can be entirely without artist
- Or artist as element
- Or artist briefly

## Sub-types

### Visual symbolism
- Symbolic objects/scenes
- Open interpretation
- Art-house feel

### Pure visual aesthetic
- Beautiful imagery
- No real "concept"
- Mood-driven

### Animation / mixed media
- Animated elements
- Mixed with live action
- Artistic ambition

### Tableau / static
- Locked frames
- Minimal movement
- Painterly quality

### Surreal
- Dream-logic
- Impossible imagery
- Lynch-style

## When to use

- Abstract / electronic / ambient music
- Director with strong vision
- Festival / awards aspiration
- Artist comfortable with non-traditional MV
- Brand artist as conceptual

## Common mistakes

- No clear concept (just random pretty)
- Too literal (defeats abstract)
- Concept doesn't sustain
- Boring middle
- Forgetting music structure (cuts random)
