Music Video Analysis

1. Music Video
Analysis using
Andrew Goodwin
Theology
Analyse the composition,
camera angles and framing
of the shots on your desk

2. Learning Objectives
C Grade: To apply Goodwin’s theory to a Music
Video
B Grade: To analyse the colour, composition and
camera angles in a music video
A Grade: To analyse the editing and lighting in a
music video.
1. Create a Presentation and post to blog applying in detail Goodwin’s theory to the
Music Video ‘Thinking of You’
2. Create a presentation demonstrating how you’d use camera angles, colour, editing,
lighting, mise en scene in your own Music Video
(Due Weds 21st)

3. What is Andrew Goodwin’s theory?
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. Stage performances in metal videos, dance routines for boy/girl bands)
2. There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals (Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)
3. There is a relationship between the music and the visuals (Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)
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
5. There are frequent references to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic
(sexual) treatment of the female body
6. There is often intertextual references (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc)
7. Whether the video is primarily performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based and how element of each is used in it
Ext: Is Andrew
Goodwin’s theory
outdated?

4. “Thinking of you” Katy Perry
First viewing: Can you apply
Goodwin’s theory of Music
Video Conventions to
‘Thinking of you’?

5. “There is often intertextual references (to films, TV programmes, other
music videos, etc)”
The plot is the key intertextual reference as the soldier going off to war and leaving behind a
girlfriend or wife is a popular plot in a lot of media. “Dear John” is a key example of young
love being torn apart by war, and relates heavily in plot to the music video, although they
sport different endings.
The reference to “Dear John” in the music video could have been a deliberate choice by the
producers to appeal the video to Katy Perry’s fan base. “Dear John” is a romance film starring
heartthrob Channing Tatum, and targeted at teenage and young-adult females, (roughly the
same audience Perry targets for her music), and this would popularise the music video to the
audience she aims at through the similarities of the film and video.
These are some of the shots “Dear John” and
“Thinking of You” have in common:
“New
Lover”
*Both male leads are in the army
and we see shots of them in action*

6. “There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals (Either illustrative,
amplifying or contradicting)”
Katy Perry’s “Thinking of You” is narrative-based, presenting the storyline
described in the lyrics. The lyrics describe a couple torn apart by war,
showing the female lead attempting to move on with a new lover but not
feeling complete: “Cause when I'm with him I am thinking of you”.
There is a strong relationship between the lyrics and the visuals as the video
illustrates the lyrics, showcasing the story . Some literal examples:
As the artist sings “I am
thinking of you”, the footage
cuts to a flashback clip of the
couple riding a back,
symbolising whom she’s
thinking of.
The video cuts to a panning shot of
the female character’s new lover
while the line “I guess second best is
all I will know” is sung, referring to
the fact that she will have to settle for
someone who won’t ever really
replace her past love.
The line “And bust in the door” is sung
at the time the female lead closes the
door, creating a link between the lyrics
and visuals, and amplifying the tragic
nature of the video; As she’s wishing for
the soldier to return home, she’s closing
the door to attend his funeral.
Homework One:
Create a Presentation and
post to blog applying in
detail Goodwin’s theory to
the Music Video ‘Thinking
of You’

7. “There is a relationship between the music and the visuals (Either illustrative,
amplifying or contradicting)”
There is a strong relationship between the music and the visuals in “Thinking of You” shown through the order and
timing of the cuts according to the beat of the track. The cuts are smooth and run evenly, without becoming jumpy
or unnatural, and guided by the outlining, consistent beat of the song.
There are a range of close-ups of the artist singing the song, showing the
relationship between the music and the visuals. This establishes Katy Perry
as the artist but also establishes both her roles as the female lead separated
from her lover by war, and the singer of the track. This works to promote
Perry as multi-talented: both a singer and an actress, and fans respond to this
showcasing of an artist’s abilities.
0:21
0:24
0:27
0:28
0:31
Marking out where the first
jump cuts are made in the video
Close-ups highlight Katy Perry

8. Group One: ‘Thinking of you’ Katy Perry (Pathway A)
Analyse colour, composition, framing and camera angles
Oliver - camera angles
Rhianna – colour, composition, framing
Ilana – Editing, Lighting
Group Two: ‘Young and Beautiful” Lana Del Rey
(Pathway B)
Shannon - editing and lighting
Joshua - colour, composition, framing
Kirsty – camera angles

9. “Young and Beautiful” Lana Del Rey

10. Regarding misé en scene, Del Rey’s costume, a long dark dress,
and wavy dark hair curled along her forehead, as well as her
flamboyant glitzy diamond hoop earrings are reminiscent of the
1920’s fashion, relating the video to the decade “The Great
Gatsby” was set in. The dark lighting and dated effect edited
over the footage gives the music video an old, vintage look,
Glitzy, diamante, extravagant
jewellery is a traditional aspect of
the 1920’s, used in both The Great
Gatsby and “Young and Beautiful”
music video.
further enhancing a sense of age and
time-gone-by to “Young and
Beautiful”, which not only refers to
the lyrical theme of the song (aging)
but also to the sense of loss felt in the
novel.
Long, dark dresses are a
classic 1920’s costume
piece and relates the
music video to the novel
intertextually
Using references to “The Great Gatsby” an award-winning, high-
profile film, was a clever marketing strategy used to raise the
track and music video’s profile via association. It promoted the
music video to the film’s audience as well as Del Rey’s fan base,
portrayed Del Rey as classy, elegant 20’s style artist, all
characteristics connoted from “The Great Gatsby”.
Both Del Rey and Mulligan assume
similar poses in the image suggesting
a further reference to the novel in the
music video.

11. Using Cinematic Techniques in
your Music Video
Pathway A
Storyboard your opening
of your Music Video using
camera angles,
movement to entertain the
audience and develop
your brand.
Pathway B
Storyboard your opening
of your Music Video using
camera angles,
movement and editing to
entertain the audience
and develop your brand.

12. Homework
1. Create a Presentation and post to blog
applying in detail Goodwin’s theory to the
Music Video ‘Thinking of You’
2. Create a presentation demonstrating how
you’d use camera angles, colour, editing,
lighting, mise en scene in your own Music
Video
(Due Weds 21st)