Andrew Goodwin 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory'

Andrew Goodwin’s theory

According to Andrew goodwins theory the traditional narrative analyses don’t really apply to pop videos, reasons for this is because they approach narrative from a different angle to novels and films.

The reasons for the different narrative from a different narrative structures are as follows:

1.      Pop videos are built around songs

2.      The pop video uses the singer both as narrator and as a character

3.      The singer often looks directly at the camera (trying to involve the viewer at home with the performance.

He also says that pop videos repeats images in the way the song repeats choruses or lines and the repetition in songs of parts or rhythms of other songs.

Some videos are autonomous from the music they spring from. The visualisation of a song may go behind the original meaning. The video may provide a visual pleasure that encourages repeated viewing which promotes the music or the artist. Or even sometime the music might promote a film.

There are 3 types of relations between sings and videos.

1.      Illustration: This is where the video tells the story of the lyric for example Madonna-Pap don’t preach. Dance is used to express moods and feelings.

2.      Amplification: Occurs when the videos introduce new meanings that do not contradict with the lyrics but add layers of meaning.

3.      Disjuncture: This is where there is little connection between the lyric and the video or where the video contradicts the lyric.

EXAMPLES OF ILLUSTRATION, AMPLIFICATION AND DISJUNCTURE

Illustration: This is when the video tells the story instead of the song lyrics. An example of this is Madonna – Papa don’t Preach

Amplification: This expression is used when the videos introduce new meanings that do not contradict with the lyrics but still add meaning. An example of this is Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Don't Stop

Disjuncture: This is where there is diminutive connection between the lyric and the video. An example of this is Lady Gaga ft Beyonce – Telephone

Illustration

Madonna - Papa don't preach

Amplification

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Don't Stop

Disjuncture 

Lady Gaga ft Beyonce - Telephone