Andrew Goodwin Key Features of Music Videos

Andrew Goodwin in Dancing in the Distraction Factory (1992) has identified the following features of music videos:

Key features of music videos



  Andrew Goodwin had many different views on the certain features of music videos.

• Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band).

This video below is an example of a stage performance in a metal video. It is by a band called Iron Maiden. It contains many different editing techniques and camera shots, such as shooting back to the audience and the camera being in the audience to seem like a point of view shot. This is a good example of a metal video for a metal video would stereotypically contain scenes from a live performance from the band's concert.

Another good example of a stage performance in a metal video is Metallica "Master Of Puppets." This contains many shorts throughout the video of the stage performance as well as the story of the video. It uses many different camera shots and editing techniques, such as shooting to the live performance of the band playing at the concert, to the story of the music video. This is effective for it shows the atmosphere of the concert and creates the feeling that the audience is actually there watching the band play live. 

          

Below is an example of a dance routine in a boy band called N Sync. A routine video would have to have the band dancing in time with the other dancers and it would have to be choreographed without fault. The dance would be entertaining and very synchronised with the rest of the band. The lead singer may also dance but sometimes they go to the front and sing whilst the other members of the band are dancing. 

          

This is a good example of a dance routing in a girl band called Spice Girls. It starts off with the music video just starting and the narrative and setting behind the music video, and then it presents the band in a synchronised dance routine. The dance would be very entertaining for the audience and the fans will try to imitate the band and learn it in their friends groups. 

• There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting.) 

An illustrative music video is where there is a visual form to the lyrics. The video will be illustrated and will link in to the lyrics. One good example of an illustrative video is McFly's video Love is Easy. The visuals can also work together, such as illustrative and amplifying. In this video, McFly use an imaginative use of illustration to create an original and effective music video. 

This video of Daniel Powter "Bad Day" is a good example of illustrative and amplifying visuals which work with the lyrics. The video presents a man and a woman on split screens, both having a bad day which is illustrated by the lyrics, and throughout the video, Daniel Powter is shown playing the piano and singing.

• 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) For example, Katy Perry/ Michael Jackson.

5 Seconds of Summer use close ups of the band performing during the music video and it will keep shooting back and forth, from the story of the video to the band.

Michael Jackson is a good example of a motif which recurs across his work. His white glove is famous throughout his video and he is known to wear it throughout his videos. It would focus attention on his music videos for fans would search for other traits which he might have.

• There is frequently reference to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body. Laura Mulvey's theory on the male gaze fits in with this key feature, for it explains about the notion of looking and the voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

This video is a good example of the voyeuristic treatment of the female body for it presents women wearing provocative and alluring clothing which is not very realistic of the modern day. A recurring theme in the song is the lead singer surrounded by girls, and singing to the girls.  The Male Gaze is shown in this video for the lead singer is singing and staring at the girls. Also, the girls do not move the plot forward, because it changes the actresses all throughout the video, and so the women do not have agency.

Fountains of Wayne- Stacy's Mom is a good example of the notion of looking, and it includes voyeuristic treatment of the female body for throughout the video, the boy is staring at the mom, who is acting/dressing in a provocative way. Also, the band have incorporated themselves in the music video by using the notion of looking for the boy and the girl are looking at the tv which the band is playing on.  Laura Mulvey's theory is also used in this music video for the boy is constantly staring at Stacy's mum, and the audience is watching him stare at the mum. 

• There is often intertextual reference to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc.

This key feature relates to all intertextual reference to different types of media in the music videos, such as The Wanted's video "Walks Like Rihanna." In this video, The Wanted use different ideas from other music videos and try to imitate them, such as N Sync, Take That and Backstreet boys. This was a fun and entertaining video for the audience could guess who they were imitating, and it is a good use of intertextuality from other music videos.