Andrew Goodwin

Andrew Goodwin had a particular interest in music videos



 

He was in "Dancing in the distraction factory"




,.. and identified different features of music videos.

Goodwin saw a relationship between the lyrics that we hear, and the video that we see visually. They both might correlate with one another, or they might contradict.



Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey is an example of a song which correlates to the lyrics. The lyrics are quite dark, however the beat and the pace of the song is replaced with a slightly pop or r&b sound. At the beginning of the video, there is a repetition of shots of a cloudy sky, emphasising the depressing tone. There is a shot of Lana Del Rey committing suicide; this could be seen as a glorification of depression or suicide. Also, it could represent how she re-invented herslef, previously named "Elizabeth Grant." Her image is totally reinvented. She is wearing a white dress, representing innocence, however the smoke shows that the innocence is blurred, or innocence is covered by a an uncertainty or corruption. Some of the shots are short and flashy, which showcases her fast lifestyle that the industry offers. Additionally the story line of the other woman who commits suicide could simply be another version of herself, or a doppelganger. Additionally, the shots of the crucifix and her imitating the cross perhaps shows her sacrificing herself; it was a strong Gatsby theme to it. She represents the lost generation (she was heavily influenced by the "roaring twenties". Also, the re-occurring soft light on Lana Del Rey's face shows her beauty and glamour that her new image stands for.

 

Record Labels love the stamp, close ups can create.


 A very well known example is Micheal Jackson and his "glove" motif.




Micheal Jackson's sparkling white glove is recognisable almost everywhere. He introduced this glove while performing on "Motown 25." The television special allowed the Jackson 5 to showcase themselves and obtain a number of fans. He combined the white glove look with black trousers, white socks and a "spy hat." This iconic look made Michael Jackson recognisable everywhere. The glove became an outfit necessity, often covered in rhinestone mesh. After his death, there were speculations about the primal reason behind wearing the glove. According to Whitten (the designer of the glove) said it was to disguise his vitiligo - a skin condition. The distinctive look nevertheless was extraordinary to the audience.




Another, rather controversial example is Miley Cyrus' infamous "tongue."




Andrew Goodwin wrote the book Dancing in the Distraction Factory which highlighted certain features found in music videos. The conventions of a music video genre:

Music videos show quite strong genre characteristics such as stage performance in metal videos, dance routines for pop bands, and aspiration in Hip Hop. The lyrics and visuals have a relationship, but there may not always be a correlation. Usually, the lyrics represent the images, however commonly nowadays, they may contradict. They could either be three main things; illustrative, amplifying or contradicting. In most cases the tone and atmosphere match with the lyrics, again either illustrative, amplyfying or contradicting. Record labels love closups. Closeups develop motifs like previously mentioned.

There are frequent refrence to notion looking such as screens within screens, or mirrors. And the famous voyeuristic treatment of the female body. Sometimes, movies or TV shows are incooperated into the music video, to promote both at the same time, or another music video. One of the most recent example, is the "Boom Clap," by Charlie XCX and "The Fault in Our Stars."

One of the childhood favourites.