ANDREW GOODWIN’S THEORYKey features of a music video

Andrew Goodwin’s Theory

Andrew Goodwin identified six key features of a music video

I will be using these to deconstruct existing music videos of the Indie Rock genre

Demonstrates genre characteristics

Music videos are expected to contain certain content depending on their genre

Indie music videos often have performance elements to depict their musical talent

There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals

The mise en scene used in the shots is used to help portray the lyrics of the song

Can be either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting

There is a relationship between the music and the visuals

Camera work and editing is on beat to relate the visuals to the music

Can be either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting

Meets the demands of the record label

Allows promotion of brand and star image for the artist or band

Music videos may contain star motifs which are specific to the band

Boy bands such as One Direction are likely to use close ups of band members as their looks are a key part of their star image

Frequent reference to the notion of looking

Artist or actors in the video are often looking through windows, in mirrors, at objects or into the camera

Intertextual references

References to different texts within a music video

These can be references to any types of media

Performance, narrative or concept

Performance based videos focus on the band or artist performing their music, whether they are playing their instruments or lip syncing

Narrative based videos portray the story line by acting it out

Concept based videos are often unusual and don’t always relate to the song

Music videos can also contain a mixture of these