1. Andrew Goodwin Dancing in the Distraction Factory
What things do we see in a music video? (i.e. dance routine, etc.)
List as many as you can.

2. Dancing in the Distraction Factory
Andrew Goodwin wrote Dancing in the Distraction Factory in 1992
He identified features that are used in music video and highlighted the conventions of the music promo

3. 1. Genre Characteristics
Andrew Goodwin states that different genres of music use different key conventions in their videos
What would you expect to see in the following genres?
Genre
Conventions
Rock
Pop
Hip Hop

4. 2. Relationship of Lyrics to the Visuals
Goodwin states there is always a relationship between the lyrics of the song and the visual images in the music video
It can happen in 3 different ways:
ILLUSTRATE
AMPLIFY
CONTRADICT

5. Illustrate
Music videos can use a set of images to illustrate the meaning of lyrics – this is the most common used in promos
Vance Joy – ‘Riptide’

6. The Script – ‘Hall of Fame’
Amplify
The images in a music video can add additional meanings that aren’t at first always obvious in the lyrics. This is known as amplifying
The Script – ‘Hall of Fame’

7. The Strokes – ‘You Only Live Once’
Contradict
This is where the music video completely ignores the meaning of the song or contradicts the lyrics
The Strokes – ‘You Only Live Once’

8. Relation of Music to the Visuals
The visuals in a music video will almost always have a connection to the pace of the music and song
The video can be edited so that the visuals again Illustrate, Amplify or Contradict the beat of the song
Gorrilaz – ‘Feel Good Inc’
Nirvana – ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’
Skrillex – ‘Bangarang’

9. 3. Develop a Style / Genre related Motifs
Most artists have a trend of repeating certain actions in their music videos – establishing a Motif (or trademark) - making the video recognisable – This is demanded by the record label

10. Motifs can also be used for different aspects of the mise en scene (i
Motifs can also be used for different aspects of the mise en scene (i.e. location, costumes, colour) and are genre specific

11. Britney Spears – ‘My Prerogative’
3. Close Ups – Star Image
A common feature in music videos is the use of close ups. They are used to show the artist throughout the video to make them more recognisable and create an image (Star Image)
They are often used in female artists videos to sexualise the artist
Britney Spears – ‘My Prerogative’

12. Beyonce– ‘Video Phone’
4. Notion of looking
In videos there are frequent references to the notion of looking and in particular a voyeuristic treatment of the female body
Beyonce– ‘Video Phone’

13. 5. Intertextual References
Goodwin finally states that music videos are often filled with intertextual references.
Audiences will recognise the visuals or lyrics to reference another media text. They will engage with video and feel gratified if they recognise the reference
Weezer– ‘Pork and Beans’

14. Homework
Research and apply music videos to Goodwin’s 5 conventions of music promos:
Genre Characteristics
Relationship between visuals and lyrics, and visuals and music
Demands of the Record Label – Motifs and Close Ups
Notion of looking – objectification of women
Intertextual references (i.e. films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc.)
Find examples of music videos to demonstrate each music promo convention.
Include the music video and screen grabs from the video to illustrate your point