Notes on Goodwin's Theory

Goodwin's theory is based on eight core principals, most of which should be applicable to almost any music video. It is important that I study and learn these principals before I begin planning the music video which I will produce, as it will help to ensure that I include everything which is necessary in order to create a professional, cohesive product.

These eight principles are:

1. Links between lyrics and visuals (ie the visuals adding to the narrative which is described in the lyrics)



2. Links between the music and the visuals (but not necessarily supporting each other, as the links could be complimentary, contradictory or amplification)



3. Genre characteristics

3. The low angled shots on Jay-Z within the video for 99
Problems are a genre characteristic of hip-hop as they
make him appear aggressive and dominating

4. Intertextual references (for example mocking other music videos/films, or containing clips from a film which the song was featured in)



5. Notions of Looking (ie the objectification of women through the use of the male gaze theory)

5. There are several uses of the idea of notions of looking
in the video for Writing on The Wall by Plan B. 

6. Voyeurism (breaking the 4th wall, insight into the artists life etc)



7. Demands of the record label (making the artist represent themselves in a certain way for example)

By including Rick Rubin in the video for 99 Problems,
Def Jam are raising their status as a label
 

8. All music videos fit into one of three types - performance based, concept based and narrative based

8. Last Nite by The Strokes is an example of a performance
based music video, as it contains no recognisable narrative

By studying the principles of this theory I will now be able to analyse another music video and apply the theory to it, in order to prove how I need to apply the theory to my video as much as possible.