My analysis of six music videos in accordance to Goodwin's theory.

1. Goodwin’s
Theory
Analysis

2. Genre Characteristics
The What Makes You Beautiful video by One Direction fits into Goodwin’s theory with genre characteristics. The
video for the pop song heavily features shots of the band and its individual members miming along, typical to
pop videos, with a loose narrative in the background. The characters in the video are the band themselves along
with other young females, where they all wear clothes that were fashionable around the time of the videos
release, again linking stereotypically to a pop video. Additionally, there are connotations of a love story within
the video, where one of the members of the band has a one to one scene with one of the girl characters who
the video constantly cuts to when certain lyrics play. There is a sense of togetherness throughout the video too,
which relates into the sense of belonging and friendship the target audience of the video seeks.
The band is the main focus of the
video where they appear to be
having a fun day out at the beach.
A romantic subplot is shown
between one of the members of the
band and a girl.
The feeling of togetherness and fun
is employed in scenes where all the
characters are hanging out.

3. Mise-en-scene
Location;
The location in the video exerts fun as the members of the video move around in time with the music around a Californian beach. The setting appears idyllic, with perfect
weather and barely anyone to share the beach with the band except for a group of girls that later join them. Numerous location around the beach include on the shore,
on what seems to be a car park, and on a lifeguard hut where the band are seen partaking in different activities. Additionally, the colours appear desaturated allowing the
video to achieve softer tones which link to the relaxed style of the music. The colour red stands out during the video which could link to the romantic undertone of the
video.
Lighting;
The scenes at the beginning of the video are brightly lit, which adds to the light theme of the video.
Costume;
All the characters of the video wear stylish attire in muted tones of blue and red. The members of the band wear very similar clothes that give a sense of unity. As day
turns into night, the band exchange their summer tops for jumpers similar to the style of the t-shirts they were wearing or jackets, presumably hinting that the fun
activities they are partaking in can last all day, or even in winter.
Props;
The props showcased in the video each link to having a good time, such as sparklers, instruments and party food. The cars in the video are all coloured with red and
orange tones, which could link to love and excitement.
Movement of Actors;
The members in the band throughout the video are seen dancing or moving around in time with the music. When they’re not dancing, they take part in a narrative,
completing actions that emblematic of ‘good times out’ which adds to the fun aspect of the video and appeals to the audience. As well as this, there is a romantic story
going on between one of the members of the band, Harry Styles, and one of the girls they’re hanging out with.
Camera
The camera constantly focuses on the members of the band or the band as a whole which enforces the idea of togetherness as a band. There are also constant high
angled shots, giving the band an importance
Editing
Many fades are used between scenes that link them together, as well as scenes that are set in the day time being overlaid over scenes taken at night that show the
contrast between day and night time.
Target Audience
The target audience of the video are teenage girls. This is because there is a heavy focus on the band and individual members where they appear to go out with a group
of girls. The viewers could relate to the girls in the video or want
Micro-analysis: What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction

4. Relationship Between Lyrics And
Visuals
The music video for the song Emoji by the artist Pegboard Nerds shows a clear relationship between the lyrics of
the song and the visuals in the video, however it also amplifies the meaning of the song. The main theme of the
song is emotions, noted by the lyric ‘let your emotions show’. The video compliments this as the protagonist of
the video wears a mask that looks like an emoji, linking to the title of the song, which changes emotions
throughout the video – happy, angry, sad.
Many of the visuals in the video link to the theme of emotions as not only does the main character outwardly
express them, but normal household objects are also animated to look as though they are reflecting the mood
of the character, like seeing a smiling face in his coffee.
Inanimate objects appear to reflect
the mood of the protagonist. Similar
shots are repeated when his mood
changes.
The main character wears a mask
that looks like an emoji that depicts
the emotion his is portraying.
Character really lets ‘[his] emotions
show’ by presenting it physically
through overdramatic gestures.

5. Mise-en-scene
Location;
The video plays on the idea of groundhog day, so the same locations are repeated continuously. The first scene is the main characters house where he is seen completing
daily tasks in his bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The next major location is the place where the main character works. Lastly, the character walks down the pavement
along a main road where a second character sits outside a closed theatre. The first two locations are predominately white in colour which draws focus away from the
scenery and more so to the mask the main character wears and the other objects around the room that reflect the emotion depicted on the mask.
Lighting;
The use of the colour white throughout the video allows the lighting to be very bright throughout. In the scene where the main character walks down the road, the
lighting appears pink, potentially foreshadowing the romantic subplot that occurs at the end.
Costume;
The main character wears simple clothes to make him appear like an ‘average joe’ kind of character. The two main characters in the music video wear monochromatic
colours which enables the masks they wear stand out, therefore focusing on the emotions aspect of the video.
Props;
The various props used in the video aid in conveying the theme of emotions, be it a cup of coffee which has froth that resembles a face to a car where the main character
is stuck in traffic then causes the character to become angry, each prop indirectly links to emotions.
Movement of Actors;
Representative of emotion, the character moves accordingly. When the character is happy, he moves joyfully with a spring in his step and dances. When he is angry, he
moves with sharp motions in an livid manner. Finally, when he is sad, he moves sluggishly, dragging his feet across the floor with overemphasised sighs.
Camera
There are many close-ups during the video emphasising the theme of emotions by looking at the main character’s mask and the various objects resembling human faces.
There are also many wide shots that help detail the manner in which the main character acts depending on the emotion they’re trying to convey.
Editing
Effects are used throughout the video that enable pareidolic figures that resemble faces to move respective of the emotion the scene is trying to depict.
Target Audience
I believe the target audience of the video is people who associate themselves with the main character, who feel as thought they are in an eternal loop. The video shows
that no matter your emotional state, love trumps all (showcased at the end when despite the main characters sad state, he conquers that emotion with love). This,
therefore also links to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, where the psychological need of belongingness and love is fulfilled.
Micro-analysis: Emoji – Pegboard Nerds

6. Relationship Between Music And
Visuals
The music video for the song Peanut Butter Jelly by Galantis shows characteristics of this one of Goodwin’s
theories. This is due to the fact that the song is an upbeat EDM track and although the lyrics of the song don’t
match the visuals shown in the video, the characters are shown dancing and having a good time, which is what
the song was intended for. Additionally, many of the visuals match the music in instances such as when the
‘boring’ clothes appear to jump off the characters to show the animal print costumes underneath.
The video has a party atmosphere which, again, links in with the fact that the song is intended to be played in
clubs and other party venues. This, along with the upbeat tempo and the fast paced cutting between each
character, gives the video a cheerful vibe, which compliments the song.
Characters mundane clothes appear
to fly off one by one to reveal over
the top party attire, fitting in time
to the music.
Ordinary people dance and appear
to have a good time. Seems as
though they are at a party.
By the end of the video, all of the
‘ordinary’ characters are dancing,
linking to the party mood.

7. Mise-en-scene
Location;
The video is set in a supermarket named ‘Galantis Pharms’, a nod towards the name of the artist. The colours used for the location are orange hues and blues which give
the scenery an old feel. The occurrences of the video starkly contrast the purpose of the setting where instead of shopping, the character featured in the video go around
dancing as though they are in a club.
Lighting;
Throughout the video the lighting is kept bright, in keeping with the upbeat tone of the music.
Costume;
At the beginning, two characters are seen wearing matching jackets with what appears to be a cat face on them, resembling the music artists. After they exit the scene,
the characters start off in the supermarket in mundane clothes in orange, blue and beige tones that appear that they could be from the eighties. As the video progresses,
the ‘mundane’ outfits are exchanged for bright coloured party clothes with a leopard print, which is again representative of the artist.
Props;
The main props used during the video are common supermarket items that seem out of place with the latter half of the video where the characters dance around.
Movement of Actors;
At the beginning of the video, the characters move in a ordinary way, shopping for items. However, once they’re attire has changed, the characters begin dancing in time
with the music, one by one, until the whole population of the supermarket is dancing along.
Camera
The camera doesn’t focus on one individual and, instead, it shows each character for an allotted time and then moves to another character, giving it a busy feel.
Editing
The editing is fast paced to match the beat of the song, cutting quickly in time with the music.
Target Audience
The target audience for the video could be young adults of all genders as the mood of the video is stereotypically one associated with this age range. Additionally, the
sexual connotations presented within the video link to the physiological needs from Maslow, which is usually associated with younger age groups.
Micro-analysis: Peanut Butter Jelly – Galantis

8. Artist Iconography
Applause by Lady Gaga, along with many other of her music videos, uses the idea of artist iconography where
Lady Gaga is the main focus of the video. Similar to other videos, the motif of Gaga’s wacky fashion sense is
carried over where she sports many over the top outfits throughout the duration of the video, ranging from a
more normal/natural look to nothing on but a shell bikini.
To keep in with the demands of the record label, Lady Gaga is the primary focus of the video. She appears in
virtually every shot with either close ups or mid shots.
Lady Gaga utilises her sense of
fashion as a motif for her music
videos by finding abnormal outfits
to perform in.
Constant reference to Gaga being
the centre point of the video by
overlaying multiple close up of her
into one shot.
Again, reference to Gaga’s motif
with a close up of her signifies the
end of the video.

9. Mise-en-scene
Location;
The music video appears to be set in a completely black room, set up like a stage, with various props and different backdrops that change throughout the video. This
theme could link to the idea of the music video ‘applause’, where usually after performing on a stage, people get applauded.
Lighting;
The light always seems to focus on Gaga like a spotlight, which links to the stage setting and also the artist iconography where it is clear Gaga is the main focus of the
video.
Costume;
Throughout the video Lady Gaga is dressed in a multitude of over the top different outfits, thus connecting to her crazy fashion sense that she’s well known for. The other
characters in the video wear clothes that match or closely resemble the ones Gaga is wearing in their respective scenes.
Props;
Different props throughout the video are a mattress, cage, smoke, bouquet and confetti. The first prop links to comfort, suggesting Gaga feels comfortable on stage,
juxtaposed by the next two props that may link to concealment and entrapment . The last two props link to performance where, at the end of a show, traditionally
bouquets were thrown on the stage to show appreciation for acts, or more recently confetti is released at the end of concerts. Overall, each prop links to Gaga,
presumably, in some way.
Movement of Actors;
The whole video seems to unfold with choreographed dance.
Camera
The camera constantly focus on Lady Gaga with multiple close ups and wide shots showing her being the centre of attention.
Editing
The video opens with a graphic detailing the name of the song and the artist, showing from the beginning that the song is by Lady Gaga, enforcing that she is the main
focus of the video. The pacing of the video is very quick that matches the pace of the music.
Target Audience
Due to the many motifs of Gaga, the target audience could be said to be her fans. A secondary audience could be of heterosexual males due to the fact that some of
Gaga’s outfits are very revealing and she is viewed voyeuristically during the video.
Micro-analysis: Applause – Lady Gaga

10. Voyeurism
The music video for the song California Gurls by Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dogg) contains elements of the
notion of ‘looking’ throughout the video. During the video Katy Perry, who is the main character, is constantly
being shown in sexually provocative outfits or with props that have sexual connotations. There is even one
scene repeated throughout the video where she is nearly fully unclothed with links to voyeurism. There is
constant reference to Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory as all the women in the video are wearing similar revealing
outfits and dance near the middle of the video, acting purely as an item of intrigue.
Gestures in the video have sexual
connotations, as well as Perry
wearing revealing outfits.
Women in the video wear
suggestive outfits and dance in a
provocative way.
The fact that Perry doesn’t wear
any clothes links in with voyeurism.

11. Mise-en-scene
Location;
The video seems to be set in a world made entirely out of sweets and chocolate with very bright colours. Scenes include lollipops as trees, clouds as candyfloss,
mountains of chocolate cake etc. There's also a scene where Snoop Dogg is sat over a board game resembling ‘Candyfornia’ acting as a game master. The setting has a
childlike innocence to it, as some children dream to travel to a land made of candy, however this completely contrasts the overall theme of the video.
Lighting;
The lighting is bright throughout, enabling the whole scene to be in focus.
Costume;
On the face of it, the costumes featured in the video have an innocence around them with bright coloured outfits inspired by different candy treats, however the outfits
are sexualised in different ways, such as cherry topped cupcakes on a bikini top. One scene has Perry and two others dressed like the American Girl Scouts, linking to how
they are known to deliver cookies which again links to innocence which is juxtaposed in the context of the video.
Props;
Many props are used that resemble candy such as candy cane trees, ice cream, candyfloss etc. Snoop Dogg also uses dice, implying that he is in control of the ‘game’ he is
playing that Perry and the other girls are a part of.
Movement of Actors;
The female characters move in provocative ways such as dancing or carrying out different gestures that have sexual connotations, complying to Mulvey’s Male Gaze
theory. Perry’s character moves around as though she is oblivious to what is going on, allowing her to effectively be pawn in the ‘game’.
Camera
The camera lingers over scenes where Perry licks an ice cream or eats ice cream, for example, putting the scenes into a sexual context. It also focus on the scenes where
Perry wears virtually nothing, showing her body entirely in a wide shot. Close-ups and wide shots are utilised to focus on individuals or groups as a whole in voyeuristic
ways.
Editing
The video starts off with an animation of what resembles a board game box entitled ‘Candyfornia’ opening and framing the scene that follows. Throughout the
video, there are different animated figures such as gummy bears and a gingerbread man.
Target Audience
The target audience for this video is predominately heterosexual males as it is very voyeuristic and also has a sense of male dominance with Snoop Dogg acting as a sort
of ‘game master’.
Micro-analysis: California Gurls – Katy Perry

12. Intertextual References
The music video for the song Heathens by Twenty One Pilots links to Goodwin’s theory of intertextuality as the
song incorporates many elements from the Suicide Squad film which the song was used in. The video utilises
both settings from the film and even short clips from the film, fitting them in accordance to the music.
The theme of the video revolves around the setting of a prison from the Suicide Squad film where the lead
singer, who is the main character of the video, appears to have been arrested. He wears the stereotypical prison
scrubs for the majority of the video, linking to the film, and later changes out of them for a performance type
sequence still in the prison near the end of the video.
Shots and locations are used in the
music video from the Suicide Squad
film.
This shot uses a scene from the
music video and a scene from the
movie as CCTV clips playing in the
background.
Underlying narrative of the music
video poses the lead singer of the
video as a character like in the
movie.

13. Mise-en-scene
Location;
The video is set in the fiction Belle Reve Federal Penitentiary that was a major setting in the Suicide Squad movie. The first half of the video takes place in a cell block,
representative of the prison the movie is set in, shown with shots of the film cut in between it.
Lighting;
The lighting is dark throughout the video, linking to the dark themes of the song, with a blue tint. At the beginning of the video, there is a warmer, orange light that
emanates from the drummer as the lead singer walks past him. This theme of light then continues as the drummer moves past the lead singer who has been put in a cell.
The lighting becomes a lot brighter when the band begin performing together.
Costume;
The lead singer, Tyler Joseph, at the beginning of the video wears an orange prison jumpsuit whereas the drummer of the band, Josh Dun, wears fairly normal clothes.
When Joseph comes to the stage, his clothes change to a more formal black top and yellow blazer, different to his prison jumpsuit, linking to performance. The extras in
the video either wear similar orange jumpsuits to Joseph or they wear a black swat police uniform.
Props;
The main props in the video are the musical instruments that the band play as well as the guns the guards aim at Joseph at the end of the video, linking into the movie.
Movement of Actors;
Joseph’s character moves slowly and contemplatively whereas Dun is stationary throughout the whole video, playing the drums. The extras in the video that resemble
criminals all dance to the music, showing their enjoyment.
Camera
The are many tracks throughout the video, following Joseph, then close-ups and wide shots showing the band performing.
Editing
The pacing of the video is quite slow at first, tracking Joseph, however the pacing picks up as soon as the main performance begins, cutting between the band playing
and scenes from the film.
Target Audience
The target audience of the video could be fans of the movie that the song is featured in due to the fact that there are scenes from the film in the video, which people
would watch for information.
Micro-analysis: Heathens – Twenty One Pilots