1. Key features of a music video
ANDREW GOODWIN’S THEORY

2. Andrew Goodwin’s Theory
 Andrew Goodwin identified six key features
of a music video
 I will be using these to deconstruct existing
music videos of the Indie Rock genre

3. Demonstrates genre
characteristics
 Music videos are expected to contain certain
content depending on their genre
 Indie music videos often have performance
elements to depict their musical talent

4. There is a relationship between
the lyrics and the visuals
 The mise en scene used in the shots is used to
help portray the lyrics of the song
 Can be either illustrative, amplifying or
contradicting

5. There is a relationship between
the music and the visuals
 Camera work and editing is on beat to relate
the visuals to the music
 Can be either illustrative, amplifying or
contradicting

6. Meets the demands of the record
label
 Allows promotion of brand and star image for
the artist or band
 Music videos may contain star motifs which
are specific to the band
 Boy bands such as One Direction are likely to
use close ups of band members as their looks
are a key part of their star image

7. Frequent reference to the
notion of looking
 Artist or actors in the video are often looking
through windows, in mirrors, at objects or
into the camera

8. Intertextual references
 References to different texts within a music
video
 These can be references to any types of
media

9. Performance, narrative or
concept
 Performance based videos focus on the band
or artist performing their music, whether they
are playing their instruments or lip syncing
 Narrative based videos portray the story line
by acting it out
 Concept based videos are often unusual and
don’t always relate to the song
 Music videos can also contain a mixture of
these