Goodwin's theory of Music videos

Goodwin's theory of Music Videos

Beginning year I 13 knew where I needed to improve in my research and planning for my music video. Goodwin's theory of Music videos allowed me to understand how to craft my ideas so they follow a classic music video pattern.

According to Goodwin each section of a music video is broken down into three sections; music, lyrics and band image. The music relates to if the transition cuts happen on the beat of the music, the lyrics usually determine what is actually happening in the music video eg: 'Video Games' by Lana Del Rey would have her playing video games, and band image relates to what they look like on screen, whether they look like themselves or are playing a fictional character.

Illustration:

In an illustration video, the music should always cut on the beat as this makes the audience feel like the music video flows and as if they are keeping up with the song. also, images we see should link with the lyrics. 
Illustration is utilized in Tove LO- Habits, as the consistency of the beats throughout the music video are maintained and the transitions fit to the beat. The lyrics connote 'staying high', implying drug or alcohol abuse, the narrative images shows the artist playing in a narrative where it clearly matches the lyrics. For example 'I eat my dinner in my bathtub' is matched with the shot of her in a bath tub. 

The themes and meaning of the song itself are majorly reflected through the different shots and the narrative clearly reflects the lyrics and matches with the beats of the music at the same time. We see how this is done through the lyric of 'staying high' which connotes drug/ alcohol usage which is seen here...

 In this image we can see her wiping her nose and drinking alcohol, which obviously clearly links to the title; this is a perfect example of Goodwin's Illustration theory as it is not only matching the beats of the music (which can be seen in the music video) but it is also linking back to the lyrics. The entire song is regarding 'stay(ing) high' which connotes things like going out to a club, and becoming intoxicated; the narrative entirely relates to the lyrics consistently. Again, here we see her smoking a cigarette which again reinforces the lyrics and adds to the matching narrative.

Here we see her appearing upset, which we see following the lyric of 'to keep me missing you'. The fact that she is crying following on from this lyric is significant to the narrative as it is showing emotion and also, as this is from the alternative genre, it tends to have deeper lyrics which are more emotional. 





Amplification:

In an amplification video, the music will still cut on the beat however sometimes will cut off the beat in order to amplify the music and keep the audience entertained. The images we see in the music video amplify the lyrics. Band image will consist of band members dressed as a character from the narrative. 

In this music video, Oasis- Supersonic, the use of amplification under Goodwin's theory is prominent as the whole of the music video is the band itself performing as themselves in their own style and fashion. Additionally, the images we see in the video reflect the image of the band and their conventions. Additionally, the transitions used match the beat of the song which makes the audience feel as if the music video flows.  

The way that the music video represents the bands image and portrays their style is reflected through the narrative as we are able to see the band members as themselves in their own clothes and styling performing their music. The use of the music video being a mixture between lip syncing and a live performance is significant also because it easily represents to the audience the alternative rock genre that they are from. The conventions of the band are shown through them playing themselves in the narrative. 

Dis-junction: 

In a dis junction video the music primarily cuts on the beat however this isn't consistent throughout the entire music video. Also, more often than not the lyrics will not relate to the images shown on the video. The band members usually don't dress like they usually do and there is not always a narrative. Established artists usually do this. 

In this Justin Bieber video the lyrics discuss wanting to apologize to someone however the music video itself shows multiple women dancing happily; the lyrics do not match the images.

Clearly the lyrics of the music video relate to a break up with a partner and about wanting them back however the narrative is nothing to do with the lyrics, the happy dancing from the group of women matches the up beat tempo however majorly contrasts with the lyrics themselves; there is no like between the narrative and the lyrics. This is slightly effective as although the lyrics confess feelings of regret or sadness it is still a happy song due to the tempo and the narrative. Because Justin Bieber is a pop artist, this matches the conventions of a pop music video as its usually happy.