Here are Goodwin's 6 basic observations regarding music video. Apply each of these
to your selected video using the questions to help you.
Make a post to your blog with the same title as this one. Make sure that you embed
the video into the post too so that it is easily accessible.
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
(e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
(e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
What is the genre of the music video you have been allocated?
What are the associations with this genre of music generally?
Does this music video reinforce the expectations of this genre?
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are
represented with images.
(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
Describe the content of the music video - what happens?
What is the relationship between the lyrics and the visuals? Is this a music video
which illustrates, amplifies or contradicts the lyrics?
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and
atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music.
(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
What is the relationship between the music and the visuals?
Does the pace of the editing reflect the pace of the music? What kind of atmosphere is
created through the visuals and is this in keeping with the tone of the music?
Is there any lip-syncing used? How much? For which sections of the lyrics? Why?
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).
How is the artist promoted through the use of the camera in this music video?
How much screen time does the artist have?
What types of shots are used when the artist is on screen and what purpose does this
serve?
5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within
screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the
female body.
Is there any evidence of 'looking' as described above? What purpose do you think this
serves?
6. There are often intertextual reference (to films, tv programmes, other
music videos etc).
Are there any references, either direct or indirect, made to other media texts?
Are there any sections or elements of the music video which remind you of other
media texts or of other artists?
