Andrew Goodwin's
theory of Music videos
Key Points;
1 - Relationship between the lyrics and the visuals.
- Themes, miss-en-scene and events of the video match with lyrics of the song, to help to portray the message of the song.
2 - Relationship between the music and the visuals.
- The cuts and edits of the video are in sync with the rhythm and beat of the song matching cuts or effects to specific drum beats or notes.
3 - Music videos have genre characteristics
- Certain features are expected out of a video depending on the genre of the music, for example a girl bands/artists are expected to have dancers and close ups of the singers, whilst a Indi band are expected to have performance shots ofthe band and cut to a fast beat.
4 - Often due to the demands of the record label, artists videos will include many close ups of the artist and will often develop motifs that recur across multiple videos
- This allows the record label to promote a set image for the band, which will help target audiences empathise with the band.
5 - Emphasis on 'looking'
- The 'male gaze' is often used to attract a male audience. The male gaze is a focus on presenting things that appeal to men. This often means a voyeuristic view of, and an objectification, of women. The emphasis on looking also includes the artist looking directly into the camera helping the audience connect with the artist.
6 - Intertexual references.
- Music videos reference other forms of media, most commonly film, but can also be television and other music videos.
Key Points;
1 - Relationship between the lyrics and the visuals.
- Themes, miss-en-scene and events of the video match with lyrics of the song, to help to portray the message of the song.
2 - Relationship between the music and the visuals.
- The cuts and edits of the video are in sync with the rhythm and beat of the song matching cuts or effects to specific drum beats or notes.
3 - Music videos have genre characteristics
- Certain features are expected out of a video depending on the genre of the music, for example a girl bands/artists are expected to have dancers and close ups of the singers, whilst a Indi band are expected to have performance shots ofthe band and cut to a fast beat.
4 - Often due to the demands of the record label, artists videos will include many close ups of the artist and will often develop motifs that recur across multiple videos
- This allows the record label to promote a set image for the band, which will help target audiences empathise with the band.
5 - Emphasis on 'looking'
- The 'male gaze' is often used to attract a male audience. The male gaze is a focus on presenting things that appeal to men. This often means a voyeuristic view of, and an objectification, of women. The emphasis on looking also includes the artist looking directly into the camera helping the audience connect with the artist.
6 - Intertexual references.
- Music videos reference other forms of media, most commonly film, but can also be television and other music videos.
Eminem - When I'm Gone
This is a worthy example of how Goodwin's theory can be used
to analyse music videos. He says that a lyrics and music can illustrate,
amplify or contradict the music video.
1:18 (illustration) the lyric is “give an arm for" then
Eminem shows his arm which has a tattoo of his daughter Hayley, which displays his
love for his daughter, how much she means to him and how much would give up for
his daughter.
1.33- The connection between the daughter and protagonist
which is described in the lyrics is shown in the narrative of the video. It
shows how their connection has become stretched due to Hayley's mum being gone
(perhaps due to rehab) and Eminem having to go on planes to perform to his
fans.
1.46 "This song ain't gonna write itself" there is
a close up of the paper where the lyrics literally write themselves, in other
words the video contradicts the lyrics. This could indicate that he could give
up more of his career time (writing lyrics) to spend time with Hayley
2.49, "She's piling boxes in front of the door trying
to block it" the video exemplifies the lyrics again where Hayley puts
boxes in front of the door. You could see small bits of light coming out of cracks
and holes of the wall that Hayley's made. The light in this aspect represents Eminem’s
stardom and the door is the road to the limelight. This means that Eminem has
to leave his daughter in order of keeping his fame and career
3.15, "Just as I walk out my bedroom door it turns to
stage, they're gone, the spotlight is on". The video once again goes along
with what the lyrics says, to a very accurate extent. This means that he is on
stage pretty much whenever he steps outside the reservation of his own
house.
4.52, Eminem has just seen his daughter in the crowd and has
realized that he is in the wrong. Hayley lip sings along to the lyrics Eminem
is rapping to, illustrating that it is Hayley speaking. The line "They're
throwing roses at my feet", is shown in the video, which signifies how
literal the lyrics are showing his life. Eminem is now wearing just a cap and a
jacket, he looks into a mirror and see's himself wearing the suit in the
reflection. He punches mirror, shattering it, whilst you hear a gunshot,
illustrating that he is leaving the rapping part of his life behind him.
The way that the video here can be analysed by Goodwin's theory is that the video illustrates most of the song. The video shows the tough life Eminem has to choose from between his career, fame, money and attention or his family life, which is shown through the character of Hayley
The way that the video here can be analysed by Goodwin's theory is that the video illustrates most of the song. The video shows the tough life Eminem has to choose from between his career, fame, money and attention or his family life, which is shown through the character of Hayley
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