These are:
- Genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance metal video, dance routine in girl band)
- Links between lyrics and visuals (Complimentary, contradicting or amplifying)
- Links between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)
- The demand for the record label will include the need of lots of close ups of the artist. And the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work.
- There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
- There is often intersexual reference to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc
- Whether the video is primarily performance based, narrative based or concept based and how elements in each are used in it.
In this essay I will be analysing the Beyonce- Best thing I never had music video whilst referring to the 7 main principles.
In the opening scene of the music video Beyonce is displayed wearing little/minimal clothing. This is shown through the cinematography, mid shot of her in her bedroom. This relates to the voyeurstiristic treatment of the female body from goodwins theory. As she is undressed and the camera looks like it's observing her body. To the audience this shows beyonce in a vulnerable state as she is undressed and sometimes unaware that the camera is filming her.
In the music video beyonces sings 'your sad... boohoo' when Beyonce lip syncs she also mimes along to it by using actions to pretend she's sad for he ex-boyfriend who cheated on her and now regrets it/misses her. Beyonce amplifies this by doing a very sarcastic crying action. This matches what the lyrics are trying to say through mise-en-scene, facial expressions/actions. This relates to the Goodwins theory as it shows that the lyrics and visuals match and amplify the meaning of the song. Of Beyonce being happy that she didn't have him as she's living a great life now.
In the music video at 2.04 there is an upbeat pace at this point Beyonce runs down a hill at the same pace. This can represent Beyonce's heart big whilst she was running down the hill. Which again illustrates how she felt in that situation of her life. This match of the music and visuals makes it connect with the audience more, referring to goodwins theory it illustrates how she feels connecting with the pace of the music.
In this video Beyonce is shown having many close ups which are all spread out. This is shown through cinematography, close ups. These allow us to see beyonce up close and recognise her face. It also keeps a more memorable image of Beyonce in our minds. So that we will always be able to remember Beyonce's face. In Goodwins theory it states that close ups are used due to the demand of the record label it will include the need of lots of close ups of the artist in a music video.
The music video is primarily narrative based 50%, concept 30% and performace 20%. The reason I made narrative so large is because I feel that Beyonce is talking about something she personally went through - a breakup due to an unfaithful young boyfriend. But then shows how she's over it by her being a newly wed, having a much better life/lifestyle. The evidence of the narrative is shown when Beyonce is watching the old looking video of her and her ex at prom. Which is something obviously personal to Beyonce and not something everyone can relate to.
However, the concept is much more relatable to the wider audience. As it's about marriage and marrying the actual man of her dreams. As Beyonce seems to look dreamy throughout the video until she's actually married to the new man. Even though it is also a personal story it can also be relatable to the general audience. The concept and theme is all about marriage as at the beginning she is shown getting dressed, reflecting on past lovers then all dressed in a wedding gown, then attending her wedding.
Furthermore, Beyonce is shown lip singing and doing a bit of dancing during her video which makes the video more personal and interactive with the audience.
Lastly, the genre characteristics in this video is that R&B/pop videos tend to include the theme about love/a love interest.
Your analysis of Goodwin's theory demonstrates some understanding of the seven characteristics. You have made a start in identifying some of the theory points, by relating back to your chosen music video. However, the points that you have made are too basic and this is because you have generalised the examples together and have not related back to the theory in enough detail.
ReplyDeleteFinally you need to include a summary to explain how your research will assist you with planning your own music video.