Research; Andrew Goodwin's Theories About Music Videos

In Andrew Goodwin's book, Dancing in the Distraction Factory, he points out different features and characteristics which are found in music videos.

1. Firstly, Andrew states that music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. For example, a stage performance in metal videos, a dance routine for a boy or girl band, or an aspiration in a hip hop song.
2. There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. The lyrics are represented with the images. For example, they either contradict or support the words.
3. There is also a relationship between the music and the visuals. The tone and the atomosphere of the visual reflects the music's. For example, they either contradict or support what you see.
4. The demands of the record label will include that they want a lot of close ups of the artists and the artist may well develop motifs which recur across their work. For example, a visual style.
5. There is often a reference to notion of looking. For example there are screens within screens, mirrors, stages etc. Also, there is a particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. There are usually intertextual reference. These could be to films, tv programmes and other music videos etc.