Andrew Goodwin – “Music videos are simply an extension of the lyrics”Andrew Goodwin believes that the video is a visual interpretation of the lyrics.Some videos such as Taylor Swift’s ‘you belong with me’ prove this theory. Her music video acts out the lyrics.

Some videos don’t prove this theory. Overdrive by Oliver Heldens and Becky Hill is an example of this, where the video has nothing to do with the lyrics.

Some videos metaphorically prove this theory. Justin Timberlake’s video of cry me a river is an example of this, as there is heavy rain and low lighting.

Carol says that there are 4 ways of looking at music video:

Narrative Editing Camera Movement and Framing Diegesis

Carol Vernallis’ music video theory

Narrative: The visual will be based upon the lyrics (similar to Andrew Goodwin’s theory). This can be through the performance, narrative or a mixture of both. The star and the performance will dominate over the other things going on in the music video, and what you are seeing is based upon the song.

Diegesis: How the story is created within the video. The music video creates a world, and the audience understand this. Repetition helps create meaning, and makes it stick in the audience’s head. Music videos may repeat shots, ideas and themes. There may be gaps in space and time – not all of the video may be based on one day.

Camera shots/framing: Music videos tend to avoids shots such as mid shots and instead use

close ups, extreme close ups and long shots. The camera will move in paste with the song, and will sync well.

Editing: The editing will be left in a state of disjuncture (disconnected). The editing might be made obvious (cuts to the beat). It cuts between the performance and narrative and even jumps in time (to the past, future, present).