2. Key features of Music Videos
In 1992, Andrew Goodwin
published a book called ‘Dancing
in the Distraction Factory’, after
years of research into music
videos
In this book, he came up with a
number of ‘codes and
conventions’ for music video – a
range of elements that many
music videos have in common
3. Goodwin’s theory identified these
key features:
1. Music videos demonstrate certain genre characteristics
For example: stage performance in Metal/hard rock video
dance routines for boy/girl bands
‘throwing signs’ in early hip hop video (recognise Dr Dre or Ice Cube?)
scantily clad women or ‘bling’ for gangsta rap videos
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals
Often illustrative but could amplify or contradict the lyrics
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals
Often illustrative but could amplify or contradict the music
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for
lots of close-ups of the artist
5. The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur
across their work (a visual style)
6. There is frequent reference to the notion of ‘looking’
(screens within screens, filming, cameras) and
particularly voyeuristic (pleasure through looking)
treatment of the female body
7. There are often intertextual references – mostly to film,
television and popular culture
4. Goodwin’s theory identified the
following key features:
In small groups, choose one or two of ‘Goodwin’s seven’
and conduct some research online to find excellent
contemporary examples.
Basic research findings should include:
Artist and song title, date, record label, genre
Analyse the examples closely and make detailed notes
related to the key features you have chosen
Present your group examples back to the class and be
prepared for questions!
When listening to others, think about the features you
have chosen and whether you can see these exemplified
in the music videos they are discussing
