# Music Video — Category

> Visual content set to music. Promoting song/artist. 2-7 minutes typical. Visual storytelling primary.

## What music video is

Visual accompaniment to music. Promotes song/artist. Visual storytelling driven by music structure (verses, choruses, bridges). Often non-narrative.

## Universal music video principles

### 1. Music dictates structure
- Song length = video length
- Beat drops = visual moments
- Verse vs chorus = visual contrast
- Bridge = different visual approach

### 2. Visual hook in first 15s
First impression matters. Strong visual immediately.

### 3. Cuts to beat
Editing rhythm matches music. Cuts on snare hits, beat drops.

### 4. Artist visibility
Music videos promote artist. They appear (performing or in scenes).

### 5. Conceptual coherence
Each video has a clear visual concept or story.

## Length

Standard music video: 3-5 min (matches song length). Some longer (with intro/outro), some shorter (single track radio edit).

## Sub-formats

- Narrative MV (story-based)
- Performance MV (artist performing)
- Hybrid MV (story + performance)
- Concept MV (abstract visual)
- Lyric-driven MV (lyrics central)

## Voice / approach

- Visual-first (less dialogue)
- Music + image integration
- Often heavy production value
- Director-driven creativity

## Compose with

- Sub-format (above)
- Persona (MV director style)
- Genre of music (pop, hip-hop, rock, electronic)
- Artist personality
- Budget tier

## Common pitfalls

- Generic visuals (could be any song)
- Disconnected from music
- Cuts not matching beat
- Missing artist
- Too literal interpretation of lyrics
- Trying to do too much (concept overload)

## Modern music video landscape

- YouTube primary platform
- TikTok-friendly versions (short cut)
- Instagram Reel teasers
- Vertical versions becoming standard
- Often multi-format release
