Within general narratives there are many different styles of in the order in which the narrative is shown. A Linear technique is where the narrative is told in a chronological order, Beginning - Middle - End.
A Non-Linear technique where the narrative typical linear narrative is fragmented and mis-placed.
Also the ending of a narrative can differ. A Closed narrative is when the ending is resolved and complete. In contrast to a Open Ended narrative when the audience is left with a cliffhanger.
Rihanna's, Man Down, is a clear narrative based music video. This is shown straight away as the music video opens with no music, just a scenario. The location is of a public cultural setting, sets a tone of a point of view of a different culture. The switch to Rihanna, as the star image is established, is shown emerging from the darkness, this could suggest a demonic presence. This is then emphasised by the red filter placed on this footage and the black clothing Rihanna has been put in. This is then proven as a gun is shown creating enigma codes as it is shown between close ups of a man. Interacting with the audience, making them ask, what has this man done? This is made as the man is then shot, shocking the audience as the 'public' within the scene. This connects with the title of the song and therefore is an important factor of the narrative.
The location of a train station is then established by the sound bridge of the train horn. Slow motion shots are then shown to establish that the man is dead, these are from a high angle looking down on the body. This could suggest the vulnerably of the male character. A fade out then happens to completely black, a typography then appears saying 'Yesterday morning', this establishes a non-linear narrative as the ending has been placed at the beginning, therefore is fragmented.
Rihanna is then shown positively as she is smiling but also is clothed in white. This could suggest purity an innocence of Rihanna's character. This furthermore this juxtaposition makes the audience question how this character within a short time, could change to the demonic or revenge character earlier from the innocent character before hand. As the music starts, the location of the setting is established as a Jamaican culture. This is connected to the singers background as Rihanna originates from Barbados.
As the music video goes the social side of the star image is portrayed as see is shown to be very popular as she interacts with members in her town/village, this could be similar to the success of her star image as she is recognised. Later, a close up of a gun is shown by another character, this could define the easy access Rihanna's character has to a weapon as she had used in the opening sequence. As the video goes on, Rihanna's character continues to greet members.
The location is now changes as she appears to be in a nightclub, which shows a different side to her character. A connection of sound to visual is made here as a clap of a character connects with the beat of the song. The red coloured filter is again used within these clips, this could suggest to the audience that a bad thing is going to happen, as it reminds them of the beginning of the music video. It then becomes apparent that this red filter is suggesting 'lust' within these clips instead of a negative one. This is shown within these clips, as Rihanna dances in an erotic manner when a male character approaches. Lust is clearly shown between these characters as sexual suggestive actions such as pinning up against the wall and 'grinding'.
Both Rihanna and the male character are wearing red, suggesting lust between the characters but later, could suggests danger. This is down to the male character forcing himself onto Rihanna's character after she pushes him away and refusing to go any further, from her body language. Rihanna's character then leaves the nightclub yet again to her happy self, suggesting she has had a good nice despise the situation with the male. As she walks home the male then beginning to 'stalk' her, maybe for reason of his rejection. The man then becomes abusive, man handling her as Rihanna's character struggles to break free. This contrasts with the beginning of the music video as the tables have turned. This struggles suggests it ends up in rape as Rihanna's character is left distort and upset. She then falls down onto the floor. This emphasises her vulnerability and how shock she feels from this experience. This therefore gives sympathy for Rihanna's character. A sense of achievement is made as the male character as he walks away proudly, with evidence of a struggle as his vest top has been ripped.
Within these scenes, footage of Rihanna on a boat in a waterfall location. This fantasy like footage, emphasised by the blue filter, creates a calm and relaxed effect to this shots, contrasting to the footage of the rape/ abusive scene. The waterfall can be seen as cleansing her, cleaning her from the distress of the rape suggested scene, a type of therapy perhaps. This 'cleansing' correspond with the clothing within these scenes, as she is dressed in a white dress, this could suggest innocence or purity that she inspiring for.
The narrative comes to a close as in Rihanna's distress, she is seen running home, for security and safety? She then rummages through a draw and pulls out a gun. This gun is recognised from the beginning of the music video. This shot is slow motion, emphasising this connection and slowly moving to Rihanna's face to show her facial expression of anger.
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