Andrew Goodwin's Music Video Theory

Andrew Goodwin suggested a theory for conventional music videos. He created a book called 'Dancing in The Distraction Factory' which talks about different characteristics and features traditionally found in a music video.











These where the 6 main points that he included;
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. For example stage performance in metal videos and dance routines for girl/ boy groups.



For Example Fifth Harmony use lots of dancing routines in their videos e.g. BO$$ and Worth It, due to the fact they are a girl group.







2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. Or the lyrics are presented with images.

For example a song by Lana Del Rey (National Anthem) represents an American themed video and shows Lana recreating stories from JFK, this shows a link between lyrics and visuals because it represents the narrative.









Also in Fifth Harmony's video as they sing the word 'Confident' a shot is shown of them holding up confident signs, linking the lyrics and visuals.






3. There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere reflect the images represented in the video.

For example Marina and The Diamonds new record 'Blue' uses a link between the song title/ lyrics and the visuals but also the atmosphere of the song e.g. the video includes images of blue skies and backgrounds.











4.The demands of the record labels will include lots of close up shots of the artists to create motif. This may also include band images and trade marks.

For example big artists such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce use close up shots in their videos and trade marks.



















5. There is frequent reference to the notion of looking (e.g. mirrors, screens within screens etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

For example in this shot (Marina and The Diamonds- Hollywood) a reflection shot is used.













Also in big artists such as Nicki Minaj, Rita Ora etc use reference to the female body.












6. There are often intertextual references to films (e.g. scenes copying a scene from a famous movie).

For Example Iggy and Charli xcx's video 'Fancy' mimics the film 'Clueless' and the images also represent the narrative/ lyrics.