Media Theory - Andrew Goodwins - Type up

6 features of music videos

In his book dancing in the distraction factory Andrew Goodwin points out characteristics and features that can be found in music videos. Looking at a selection of music videos which can be recognised?

1.  music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
(e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in HIP HOP)

2.  There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images.
(either illustrative, amplifying, contracting)

3.  There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visuals reflects that of the music.
(either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting)

4.  The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)

5.  There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens, mirrors, stages, ect) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

6.  There are often intersexual reference (to films, tv programmes, other music videos etc).

From Andrew Goodwin, Dancing in the distraction factory, 1992

Media Theory - Andrew Goodwins - Prezzi

Evaluation of Prelimanary task

Preliminary Task

prelimanry planning

Locations

Nature Reserve

Garage (pool table)

Alley Way

Bus Stop

Props

Pool Cue

Pool Table
Drinks Bottle
Fake cigarette

Actors

Joe W

Jake G

Mat C

Abbi B

Ben W

Filming equipment

Camera

Drone

Tripod

Preliminary task - Template

Preliminary task – ED Sheeran , castle on the hill





0:00

Blank screen.



0:01

SHOT: Handheld; Meduim shot.

  Music video opens with a yonger verison of the singer ( Ed Sheeran) who sitting in a field of reeds.

0:05

SHOT: Handheld, close up.

A close up of the side of young Ed Sheeran’s face.

0:09

SHOT: Areail Long shot.

At this point; the music only just starts, showing the location of marsh land.

0:24

SHOT: Mid close up.

  This shot shows the younger version of Ed Sheeran sitting against a wall.

0:27

SHOT: Back shot.

This shot is showing two characters running away from the camera.

0:30

SHOT: Areail Long shot. ( pan)

  This shot goes back to the prevouis long shot, but this time its showing two characters running.

0:33

SHOT: Areail Long shot. ( pan)

This shot goes back to the prevouis long shot, but this time its showing two characters running.

0:39

SHOT:  Long shot.

In this shot they are sitting on an old building structure.

0:42

SHOT: Close up.

Close up of the younger version of ed sheeran within the old bulidng structure.

0:45

SHOT: Close up.

  Shot showing current Ed sheeran lip syncing to the words of his song.

0:50

SHOT: Mid long shot.

This shot shows a group of people gathered around to play a game of pool.

0:53

SHOT: Mid shot.

A shot showing two people swapping \ passing pool cues.

0:54

SHOT: Mid long shot.

This shot shows a social gathering at a bus stop.

0:56

SHOT: Close up.

This shot shows a group of people gathered who are drinking – still at the setting of a bus stop.

0:57

SHOT: Mid close up

This shot shows someone smoking.

0:59

SHOT: Mid shot.

This shot shows the younger verison of ed sheeran walking away from the camera – clearly holding something in his hands.

1:00

SHOT: Mid shot.

This shot shows the younger version of Ed Sheeran walking with what appears to be beer in his hands.

Example Music video

This is the music video for Ed Sheerans, castle on the hill. It was released on the 6th of January 2017.
We choose this music video to use as our template for our preliminary task because it demonstrates a wide range of shot types and also incorporates key elements of a music video, for example lip syncing and illustration (where the music video uses a montage of clips that represent the lyrics.)