Andrew Goodwin- Research

Theorist Andrew Goodwin (1992) suggested a list of conventions that many music videos conform to after studying them for a year. His findings were published in his book 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory'. Below are some examples of videos with Goodwin's conventions.

Lorde- Green Light

This 2017 music video from Lorde conforms to 5 of the conventions laid out by Andrew Goodwin. The narrative video follows the genre conventions of pop by utilising bright colours and fast dancing. It also uses lots of close ups and the majority of shots focus on Lorde herself, creating the idea of a 'star image'; also, mirrors conform to the frequent reference to looking, as well as assisting the star image idea. Finally, the editing between the different locations is relative to the beat ad the title ('Green Light') is relative the filming on roads, therefore works for the relationship between the music and visuals and the relationship between lyrics and visuals.

Bastille- Blame
Bastille released the performance video version of their single 'Blame' which massively conforms to the genre conventions of the song. Although not filmed colour, the colour scheme is very dark and gives the impression that it is actually filmed in black and white. The notion of looking is continually referenced by the use of screens surrounding the band, which often change on the beat of the music and therefore conforms to the relationship between music and visuals. As well as this, Goodwin's convention of star image is a huge factor of this video, with close up shots and spotlights highlighting Dan, the lead singer.

Ed Sheeran- Galway Girl

This video conforms to 4 of the conventions from Goodwin's theory, including inter textual references. By using Irish actress Saoirse Ronan there is a reference to other media texts, and there is a refernce to Rolling Stone magazine when Ed signs the cover of himself. Ronan is also used as the 'star image' with almost every shot focused entirely on her. The notion of looking is also used continually with all shots being POV shots from Ed Sheeran's perspective.

Crystal Fighters- LA Calling

Crystal Fighters combined styles in their 'LA Calling' video by using both performance and abstract videos. The use of clips of performances edited into mirrored shots and kaleidoscopes with bright colours conforms to the iconography of an alternative style of music. There is also some relationship between the lyrics and visuals, with shots if guitars being displayed during the instrumental section of the song; as well as this, there is some editing to the drum beats, giving a relationship between music and visuals. Another convention is the idea of 'star image', there are a large number of shots on the lead singer and the use of shots of the crowd conform to the referencing of the notion of looking.