Theories - Andrew Goodwin

Dancing in the Distraction Factory

He talked about 3 types of videos that use set conventions:

1) Illustrations - Videos that show lyrics.

Music:

- Always Cuts on beat.

Lyrics:

- Images show the literal meaning or feeling of the lyrics. Often just with singing and dancing.

e.g. Alicia Keys; she's on stairs, showing that she is backed into a corner.

Band Image:

- Band shown as a band; dressed how you would expect.

Michael Jackson; In Thriller he is dressed as the lead character and is at the front of dancing.

2) Amplification - amplifies the lyrics.

Music:

- Cut on beat most of the time; but cuts off beat to emphasise features.

e.g. Pixie Lott - Turn it up; when the music gets slower at the bridge.

Lyrics:

- Images amplify the lyrics.

- Narrative may be used to show what lyrics alone can't.

Band image:

- Band takes on fictional roles in the narrative.

e.g. Lady Gaga - Telephone;

3) Disjuncture:

Music:

- Cut off beat

- Sometimes the sign of a bad music video

Lyrics:

- Images that do not relate to the lyrics are used.

- Sometimes used by a band that is already well known and established

- They can afford to take the risk.

Band image:

- Band takes on an image that is nothing like the expected image.

- New band; can't take risk; can't break an image that hasn't been made; would just look like a bad video; need an image that will make money.

e.g. Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire; the video is very abstract as it doesn't follow any concept.