Andrew Goodwin
A2 Media- MUSIC VIDEO THEORIES
Rochelle Burton-Green
Aspects of music videos
Goodwin identified and recognised that there was five key
aspects often featured in music videos that audiences
should look out for and be aware of. He believed that all
the five features have different meanings and are
interpreted differently from the viewers to achieve a much
greater purpose.
 Thought beats- ‘seeing the sound of the song’
 Narrative and performance
 The star image
 Relation of visuals to song
 Technical aspects of the video
Seeing the sound
This is the way the lyrics are interpreted in your head and
what they mean to the individual.
Taking into account the structure of the song. This is the
chorus and verses
The distinctive voice of the artist is usually unique and
should be identified easily and linked to their star image.
They lyrics should be like a story told by the artist,
visualised differently by the audience.
Narrative and performance
Sometimes the meaning is ignored and
conventions are either broken or followed.
Its important for the artist to be involved with the
video as they know what sort of image they want
to portray.
It helps when the artist is in the video as it makes
the video more realistic and gives the audience a
better understanding of the song.
The star image
The star image has generally changed as times
gone on.
Goodwin refers to the star image as a very vital
part of the video. The image makes the video
more appealing and brings a unique sense of
style of the artist to their audience.
This generally helps the artists public image and
helps promote them if they have a certain
reputation they’ll always be know for that and
linked to certain artists with a similar sort of
image.
Relations of visuals
Shots are usually repeated and manipulated
throughout the video as it portrays the story to be
remembered and stick with the audience.
Its believed that the video promotes the song
through the lyrics. This is shown when the video
follows what the lyrics are saying or implying.
The video should portray a certain image. This is
shown through certain images and shots to show
the meaning.
Technical aspects
Goodwin says that the technical aspects are what holds the video
together are very important. This could be anything from the editing
to the special effects. This is subverting the usual representation. For
example: There could be a group of youths on a estate but classical
music would be playing.
These key aspects would usually be considered:
Lighting
Shots
Mise-en-Scene
Effects
Transitions
Having several different technical aspects
creates continuity and involves the audience. It
makes them feel involved and feel like their living
in what’s going on in the video.

Andrew Goodwin

  • 1.
    Andrew Goodwin A2 Media-MUSIC VIDEO THEORIES Rochelle Burton-Green
  • 2.
    Aspects of musicvideos Goodwin identified and recognised that there was five key aspects often featured in music videos that audiences should look out for and be aware of. He believed that all the five features have different meanings and are interpreted differently from the viewers to achieve a much greater purpose.  Thought beats- ‘seeing the sound of the song’  Narrative and performance  The star image  Relation of visuals to song  Technical aspects of the video
  • 3.
    Seeing the sound Thisis the way the lyrics are interpreted in your head and what they mean to the individual. Taking into account the structure of the song. This is the chorus and verses The distinctive voice of the artist is usually unique and should be identified easily and linked to their star image. They lyrics should be like a story told by the artist, visualised differently by the audience.
  • 4.
    Narrative and performance Sometimesthe meaning is ignored and conventions are either broken or followed. Its important for the artist to be involved with the video as they know what sort of image they want to portray. It helps when the artist is in the video as it makes the video more realistic and gives the audience a better understanding of the song.
  • 5.
    The star image Thestar image has generally changed as times gone on. Goodwin refers to the star image as a very vital part of the video. The image makes the video more appealing and brings a unique sense of style of the artist to their audience. This generally helps the artists public image and helps promote them if they have a certain reputation they’ll always be know for that and linked to certain artists with a similar sort of image.
  • 6.
    Relations of visuals Shotsare usually repeated and manipulated throughout the video as it portrays the story to be remembered and stick with the audience. Its believed that the video promotes the song through the lyrics. This is shown when the video follows what the lyrics are saying or implying. The video should portray a certain image. This is shown through certain images and shots to show the meaning.
  • 7.
    Technical aspects Goodwin saysthat the technical aspects are what holds the video together are very important. This could be anything from the editing to the special effects. This is subverting the usual representation. For example: There could be a group of youths on a estate but classical music would be playing. These key aspects would usually be considered: Lighting Shots Mise-en-Scene Effects Transitions
  • 8.
    Having several differenttechnical aspects creates continuity and involves the audience. It makes them feel involved and feel like their living in what’s going on in the video.