Andrew Goodwin Theory

In his book, 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory', Andrew Goodwin points out characteristics and features that can be found in music videos. 

• Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. Stage performance in mental videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop)

• There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images (either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)

• There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music (either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)

• The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)

• There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

• There are often intertextual references (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc)

In a music video, we should look out for thought through beat, narrative and performance, star image, relation of visuals to a song and the technical aspects of music videos. Thought through beat is analyzing the music structure and understanding the lyrics so the lyrics are telling a story. Narrative and performance is showing the actress a lot in your music video and they are acting in it which is like star image. They are shown the most throughout the music video and we see how they are shown so if they are telling a narrative and acting by the lyrics of the song. Star image shows the way the actress is portrayed so if she is shown as classy and prestige or it could be completely opposite. The technical aspects are the things used in the music video such as the mise-en-scene, sound, camera and editing. These aspects are what makes a music video look professional and you can show a lot through these factors like lighting, props, make-up etc.