Andrew Goodwin's Theory Research
- 1. Goodwin's Theory By Chloe Watret
- 2. How does Goodwin's Theory relate to music videos? Goodwin's theory is made up of 8 main key parts which can be applied to music videos Such as: Links between lyrics and visuals Links between music and visuals Genre characteristics Intertextual references Notions of looking (eye candy for men – women appeal) Voyeurism (looking at someone without them knowing) Demands of the record label Performance based, narrative based or concert based music videos
- 3. Lyrics and Visuals Goodwin's theory is that it states that the lyrics will somehow make a reference to the visuals on the screen in music videos The visuals on screen will emphasis what is heard in the lyrics sometimes evocating the emotions within the song lyrics or the message within the video Examples of this are seen in music videos all the time and help the audience to understand the meaning of the song
- 4. The Script - Breakeven We are presented with the lyrics “I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing” at this point we see the lead singer of the band in a dark empty black room with just a chair to sit on. Looking completely heartbroken. This emphasis the fact that the song is going to be about a break up. Furthermore we can also see this through the use of colour. At the moment the colours I completely black and white suggesting the emptiness and loneliness of his heart. Its empty without the love he needs. Suddenly we are giving this shot or a phone with a video of the girl (suggesting his ex) in colour showing the viewer that the girl is obviously the love he has lost because its in colour and contrast well against the black and white and the lyrics at this exact point it says “Her best days will be some of my worse”. This again shows that the lyrics Danny (lead singer) is singing about the girl he lost and still loves. Later on throughout the song the music video is still playing in black and white however every time there’s cuts showing the memories of the couple together it’s in colour. This suggest the happy memories that these both once shared. It’s a constant back and forth throughout the clip suggesting the struggle of happiness and darkness of a long winding relationship. The colours are representing the emotions of what the singer is singing and how we the audience can see this through the use of lyrics and colour combined together.
- 5. Music and visuals The links between music and visuals are varied on different types of genre of music. Also the different beats and tempos of the songs in general. For example in most dance music genre there would be a steady rhythm. This is usually where dancers in the music video would make their way and dance centeral stage.
- 6. Pixie Lott – Mamma Do An example of this would be the music video “Mamma Do” by Pixie Lott. The beat in this music video is already a couple of hand claps and a bass drum. The hand claps are also used throughout the song by the extras. Usually a dance is incorporated somewhere along the video usually in dance music or pop. In this case this song is pop based and has a dance too in the breakdown of the bridge. The choreography also includes a lot of slaps on the thighs or on the hands with the other boys suggesting a battle on the lyrics of “What would my mamma do if she knew about me and you”
- 7. Genre Characteristics The genre characteristics often become different depending on the style of genre of the music video Typically in pop music videos there would be a lot of close up s of the artist in some sort of teenager setting to stereotype the aim of the audience However in indie, punk, rock music videos there would be special effects or a narrative.
- 8. Demi Lovato – Give Your Heart a Break For example in the pop music video of Demi Lovato “Give your heart a break” We are given close ups od Demi Lovato's face to express her facial expressions through the song however with this we are given middle shots and longs shots of different scenarios to aim at an audience idolising them in ways just in case they have been through a same situation. Obviously it all depends on the singer, genre of music what aim your target audience would be with the song. In this particular song we see the whole range of a love relationship slipping through its fingers. We see the cute moments that stereotypically all teenage girls dream off suggesting that this women is the idolising towards girl teenagers. Again memories and photographs contrasting emotions.
- 9. Intertextual Reference Intertextual reference is when the music video is influences by other cultural influences Anything of religion or movies to politics or other music videos either by the artist can be used in a Intertextual way Intertextual references are often symbols to represent ideas to the audience
- 10. Demi Lovato – La La Land Again going back to the Demi Lovato her music video of “La La Land” suggest the parts of her lifestyle we don’t see such as being a star and how tiring it can actually be. In this rock/punk/pop song we get to see the behind the scenes perks and downfalls. We are presented with powerful guitar riffs and lyrics. At the beginning of the video we are presented with a TV interview show with the cue “Now demi tell us what its like to be a star…. Well……” Throughout this song we are shown with the whole advertising situation the behind the scenes on sets and the real life to a superstar. Along the way we are given clues and humour is at use for example “be seen section” if you’re an extra. We are then shown close ups of Demi with a focus on her for the attention and a blurred background covering the busy rush of the actors set
- 11. Notions of Looking Notions of looking is the idea of going into someone else life For example in some music videos particular hip hop videos Women are sometimes seen as objects Men are seen as violent or cheating on their wives and girlfriends
- 12. Eminem ft Rihanna – Love The Way You Lie In this video of “Love the Way you lie” we are shown Eminem and Rihanna standing in front of some fire. However the backstory shows a small cramped motel room and a boy and a girl having constant arguments “I'm leaving you.. no you aint come back”. Stereotypically the guy looks like a tough man due to the top he is wearing showing his muscles. Yet the girl is attractive and is known as the “hottest women on the planet” who is Megan Fox showing the eye candy for then men. There costumes show off the characters they tend to be such as Megan fox’s outfit is a small strap top showing cleavage and small shorts in one particular shot you can see the guy constantly checking her out.
- 13. Voyeurism Voyeurism is when the audience is looking into the artist life style and what they are doing with out the artist knowledge Therefore the artist could be hosting a pool or house party where there is a lot of people partying and getting drunk.
- 14. All Time Low - Weightless All Time Low’s punk rock band music video weightless you can see the way in which the video has been done in a narrative way showing you the lifestyle the band has to live in everyday it shows her everyday life in a voyeuristic way. This video shows opinions through the use of text how the lead singer Alex feels towards people and his everyday life of having to go through it. His facial expressions seem bored because he is living with the same routine every day.
- 15. Demands of the Record Label Demands of record labels could actually be just about anything. In music videos the record label demand is getting the artist/band to make an appearance in the music video This happens in all music genres because an appearance from the artist or band will sell more singles and albums
- 16. Foo Fighters – The Pretenders In this clip of the song “The pretenders” we are constantly seen with the lead singer of the band from Foo fighters always in the middle of the camera shot to idealise there image The demands of the record label to feature the bands lead singer is clearly shown through the music video “The pretender” Dave Grohl is in every single shot always dead centre.
- 17. Performance, Narrative or concept based music videos This depends on the music genre it self. This is weather the music video is going to be performance, narrative or cocept based music videos For example in punk rock music videos it is almost always performance based.
- 18. Greenday – Basket Case In punk, rock, or heavy metal nearly always the layout of the band is in someway performance based how they would be on the stage. This is very common for this kind of music video genre. In this video of Greenday Basket case you can see the positioning of the band and can see clearly that its performance based
- 19. Conclusion It is important to always look back at Goodwin's theory and consider it if you are making a music video which will connect to the audience Goodwin's theory tends to help produce the advert and the DVD digipak so it can connect with the audiences