analysing music videos 2
TRANSCRIPT
Applying Andrew Goodwins theory to
music videos from 1980’sBritney Dixon
Peter Gabriel- Sledgehammers• I think it is a narrative and abstract video.• It uses lyrics and visuals as the lyrics match with what we are seeing, for
example, the steam train. So the images on the screen illustrate the lyrics. • It also uses the convention, voyeurism. This is where he looks into the
camera and looks at the audience. This creates a connection between the audience and the artist through his video as it makes us feel like it is directed to us. • It is made by stop motion animation and this is where pictures are
attached together so it would have taken time and a lot of money to produce.
Madonna- Material Girl• I think this is narrative and performance. • It uses lyrics and visuals. This is because she talks about all the fantastic things she
has but at the same time it also shows us what she has. It also contradicts with the narrative. As all she really wants is a normal not materialistic life but that lyrics don’t back this up. For example, when she says ‘Material Girl’ this is backed up with the visuals of her in a pink sparkly dress crowded with men and accessories. • Voyeurism is also used as it shows her figure and camera focuses on her figure
throughout the whole video. It also emphasises she is trying to be like Marilyn Monroe. • It also uses intertextuality because it shows the music video in a film type of way.
For example it is shown in a film studio. This relates back to Marilyn Monroe’s video; Diamonds are a girls best friend, this emphasises Madonna is trying to copy her.
A’Ha- Take on me • I think this is narrative and some elements performance as it is telling a story but you
can also see the band playing as well. • This uses music and visuals. This is where you can hear the instruments been played but
you can also see them playing the instruments. The editing also fits the pace of the music. • It also uses intertextuality. This is because it edits some of the photos and turns it into a
comic story so it is media related and it makes it unique and changes the way it looks. • There is also intimacy in this video and this is through the close ups of the band and
actors. This allows the audience to connect with the actors in the video so it attracts our attention more and can further help in any other videos they make.
U2- Where the street have no name• I think this video uses narrative and performance. It is narrative as it tells a story about the
streets and that is where they are but is is mainly performance as we can see the band playing their instruments and their singing about a street and thats were the video is set. • I think it uses the convention record label and artist as there is a lot of close ups on the
band so it relates the actors to the record label and makes the audience feel a connection with them.• It also uses lyrics and visuals. This is because the lyrics are on about a poor area and messy
places and what we see backs this up as they are stood on a roof top which looks quite poor. The video also fits the genre of the song as we see people jumping around to the song and this is what happens in a typical rock song. • This also uses music and visuals as we can hear the guitar but we also see them playing it so
it makes it illustrative.
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Bonnie Tyler- Total eclipse of the heart• I think this video is abstract and performance as we can see her singing the lyrics
but at the same time some of it contradicts. • A convention used is voyeurism. This is shown through the female body and it
emphasises what a perfect physique is through the way Bonnie Tyler dresses. • There is also intimacy between the audience and the actor. This is shown through
the use of close ups on Bonnie Tyler and shows us her emotions when singing this song. This makes us feel for Bonnie Tyler and understand her situation.
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