Andrew Goodwin Theory (RESEARCH)

The structure of Music Videos

Andrew Goodwin has said that traditional narrative analyses does not apply to pop videos because they approach narrative from a different angle to novels and films. The reason for this is:

• Pop videos are built around songs
• The video uses the singer for the narrator and character
• The singer often looks directly into the camera

 Pop videos rely on repetition, often repeating images in the way the song repeats choruses or lines. This means the repetition in songs, parts or rhythms of other songs mean the audience becomes familiar with genre and now have certain expectations. 

Pop songs and videos, do have a form of closure and ending. The 3 minute single that a video is based on must end and this is often reflected in the structure of the music.

Sometimes, videos are autonomous from the music they spring from. The visualisation of a song may go beyond the original meaning. The video could sometimes provide a visual pleasure that encourages the audience to watch the video again, which promotes the music. there are three types of relations between songs and videos:- Illustration, Amplification, and Disjuncture. 

Illustration:- This is where the video tells the story of the lyrics for example Katy B - Katy on a mission. Katy is narrates and participates in the video and she talks about nightlife, where she is in an arena which fits the video and lyrics. 

Amplification:- Occurs when the videos introduce a new meaning that do not contradict with the lyrics but add layers of meaning for example Keyshia Cole - Heaven sent. In this video, she is singing about the person she loves who is sent from heaven. The mise en scene is set on an island with waterfalls, tropical plants with a sunset, showing people could relate and create their own meaning to the video.

Disjuncture:- This is where there is little connection between the lyric and video or where the video contradicts the lyrics for example Man in the mirror - Michael Jackson. 

Pop videos usually have recognisable features for example, Michael Jackson, used to give a bit of a yelp and/or twirl in his videos. Also the way women have been presented as objects of male desire, which, is true in heavy metal and hip hop videos.

Videos try to appeal to as wide an audience as possible without alienating the core target. Videos featuring older bands are often shown in their younger days.

Also, videos that are from songs written for particular movies often incorporate images from that movie in the video - Celine Dion - My heart will go on.