Andrew GoodwinMusic Video Theory

Why is he important?

Andrew Goodwin is important to Media Studies and music industry because of his theory for music videos. He wrote 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory' in 1992, and this text allowed us to take apart and understand music videos.

Codes and Conventions found in music videos

Within a music video there will generally be a demonstration of a specific genre for example in a rock video the band will be shown playing the music.

Genre

Codes and Conventions found in music videos continued…

Voyeurism

This will portray a provocative man or woman looking at the camera. This can also be demonstrated by looking at a prop. This is used widely to sell an artist via sex appeal and in modern times voyeurism is only used with women.

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This can be done by illustrating what the lyrics are saying within the video, amplifying them or completely contradicting what the lyrics are saying.

A relationship between the music and visuals

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With major record labels the artist will often been shown in a number of close ups portraying the artists particular style within their music and video. When this is done in a music video it will break the 4th wall, which can have a negative effect on the video if it is trying to follow a particular narrative.

The star quality

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This is when a reference to another media text is made within a music video, this allows the audience to feel involved on the joke.

Intertextual references