Goodwin's Theory
Andrew Goodwin's analytic theory outlined in 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory' (1992):
- Music Videos (MVs) demonstrate genre characteristics (eg stage performance, dance routines etc).
- eg. Kylie Minogue's dance-based video for Can't Get You Out Of My Head.
- MVs can be performance based, narrative based or concept based.
- eg. Performance based: Weezer - Undone (The Sweater Song).
- Narrative based: Guns n Roses - November Rain.
- Concept based: Bright Eyes - First Day Of My Life.
- There is a relationship between the lyrics and visuals (either illustrating/complementing, amplifying, or contradictory/disjunctive).
- eg. Rebecca Black - Friday (illustrating the lyrics directly).
- There is a relationship between the music and visuals (either illustrating/complementing, amplifying, or contradictory/disjunctive).
- eg. Radiohead - No Surprises (one-take, single shot video complements the depressing, repetitive but changing song).
- The demands of the record label will include how the artist is represented, and there will be a need for close-ups etc to promote the artist.
- eg. How Rihanna is represented in What's My Name.
- The artist may develop motifs or visual style which recur across their work.
- eg. Mumford and Sons' nu-folk, tweed-and-waistcoat image.
- There is frequent reference to the idea of looking (eg scenes within scenes, screens, mirrors, cameras), and voyeuristic treatmeant of people.
- eg. The Get Out Clause's infamous video for Paper, consisting of real-life footage from CCTV cameras of the band performing.
- eg. Eric Prydz - Call on Me.
- There can often be intertextual references.
