Researching Goodwin's Analysis

We have been researching into what Goodwin's Analysis is and will now apply this to professional music videos. We have decided to present the analysis on our blog for future reference:

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band)

There are many different types of genres that can feature in music videos. I have been looking into the R&B genre to understand this further. It appears the characteristics of R&B are representation material possessions, women in minimal clothing, fashion, party/club locations and performance, such as miming to the camera and dancing.

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting)

In almost all music videos it is important that the song relates back to the video. In the video Homecoming by Kanye West there is a strong relationship between these. The song is about his hometown Chicago and features Kanye in the city with images of Chicago appearing frequently during the video.

3. There is a relationship between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting)

The sound of the song and the effect it has on the listener should definitely be reflected in music videos. For instance, a fast paced song should have a fast cutting rate and a slower song should have the opposite. The video for Ignorance by Paramore is very fast paced but is slower in some sections. Therefore slow shot cuts are used during the verses of the song but as the song reaches the chorus there is frequent use of cuts that increase greatly to reflect the speed of that section of the song.

4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)

From viewing many professional music videos it seems the use of close ups are an important element. The music video Rabbit Heart by Florence & The Machine has a great amount of close-ups to show off the artist. In fact the first shot of the video is a close up of Florence.

5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body

This engages the audience as we can feel a part of what the artist is seeing. Kanye West’s video Homecoming focuses mainly on Kanye looking around his town and remembering his childhood which reflects in point of view shots.

6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc)

This is a common feature of music videos but not all videos include obvious ones. The video Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5, shows obvious connection to the artist Mick Jagger in the song title.