Research: Andrew Goodwin Dancing in the Distraction Factory Summary

The structure of Music Video.

Andrew Goodwin feels that traditional narrative analyses (using such ideas as Todorov) don`t really apply to pop videos. Its because they are trying to be `Avant Garde` which means that they approach the sequence from a different angle to novels and films.

The reason for this different narrative structures are as follows:

1. Pop videos are built around songs - and often songs do not pose traditional narrative structures(noramality-problem-resolution.)
2. The pop video uses the singer both as a narrator and as a character.
3. The singer often looks directly at the camera - this is an extentionof (music hall) performance and trying to involve the viewer at home with the hall performance.

Pop videos rely on repetition thus the video repeats the images which follows the beats, lines and choruses. The repetition in songs of parts or rhythms or songs(intertextuality) means that we become familliar with the genre and have certain expections. Lastly the video would be played on TV, the song would be played on the radio and there might be an advertising film or TV tie-in making the song very familliar throught repetion.

Pop songs and other videos do not have a form of closure and ending. The 3 minute single that a video is based on must end and this is often reflected in the structure of the music - it builds to a climax or to constant repetition before fading away.

The visualisation of a song may go beyond the original meaning. The video provides a visual pleasure that encourages repeated viewing which therefore promotes the music. Videos sometimes promotes other products which is called cross media convergence. There are three types of relations between songs and videos which are called Illustration, Amplification and Disjuncture.

1.  Illustration means is when the video tells the story of the lyric. Dance is often used to express the feelings/moods in the song.
2. Amplification means when the videos introduce new meanings that do not contradict with the lyrics but add layers of meaning.
3. Disjuncture is when there is little connection between the lyric and video contradicts the lyrics.

• Pop videos have easily recognisable features example with Michael Jackson in his videos.
• Videos try to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Older bands often show themselves in their younger days to relate to younger audience.
• Videos from songs are written for particular movies. 'Adele- Skyfall.' 'Celine Dion-My heart will go on'

 Illustration: Below is an example of Illustration

Amplification: Below is an example of Amplification

Disjuncture: Below is an example of Disjuncture