Unconventional Music Video: 'Da Funk' - Daft Punk

Although the majority of music videos share and follow particular conventions, there are also on occasion some videos that do not. One key example of this is 'Da Funk' by Daft Punk, which goes against a large number of conventions throughout it. The first is that, throughout the music video, the narrative is the primary focus whilst the song itself is effectively used as backing music. The characters talk over the music, therefore drawing the audience's attention away from the music, rather than towards it. This is, as a result, a strange method to use in a music video, which the sole purpose of is to showcase the song. Another aspect of 'Da Funk' that is unusual is that the volume and clearness of the music depends on where the character is in respect to the camera, as the song is supposed to seem as though it is coming out of the character's boombox. For example, when the main character is looking through a shop window, and the camera is on the other side of window to the character, the music sounds low and muffled. This is a strange thing to do within a music video, as it distorts and mutes the music, therefore not allowing the audience to properly listen to the song. Lastly, this music video is also unconventional in terms of its narrative. Whilst it is not unusual for music videos to have slightly vague storylines, the storyline for 'Da Funk' is exceptionally vague, with many aspects of the music video being unexplained or not being hinted at to have a deeper meaning. Some examples of this are the main character's broken leg, or the fact that he's a dog. This therefore confuses the audience and, as the music is not being presented as the primary focus, causes them to focus on working out what the narrative is about rather than truly listening to the music. It is for these reasons that 'Da Funk' is an unconventional music video.