Goodwin's Theory Homework Task

Goodwins theory can apply to Michael Jackson's 'Earth Song': 

1. Music videos demonstrate certain genre characteristics - 'Earth Song' is under the pop genre. In the video, MJ is shown to be walking and somewhat dancing to the song, looking very into the song. This is very common in pop music videos.

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals - This is very clear in the video as the song is about humans ruining the earth and wildlife while the visuals are showing us how humans have killed animals (elephants) and trees etc.

3. There is a relationship between music and visuals - This is somewhat present in this video as when the song gets to the most 'intense' part, the editing gets quicker and the wind starts blowing at Michael Jackson as he sings.

4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist - Close ups of Jackson are present in 'Earth Song' as he sings, they show his emotion toward the pollution etc.

'Earth Song' was released under the record label 'EPIC' on November 27, 1995

Goodwin's Theory is also applicable to McFly's 'That Girl' (Released 6th September under the Label 'Island'):

1. Music videos demonstrate certain genre characteristics - As McFly are a pop rock band, the video shows them putting on a performance with their instruments which is typical of a band of that genre. 

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals - The lyrics of the song are about a girl trying to get a girl and his friends doubt that he can do it, then he proves them wrong but loses her. The visuals are along the same lines, a girl turns up to their petrol station and the guys try to get her with the other band members doubting that they can. Then she runs off with a richer guy which links to the lyric 'but she was with another guy'.

3. There is a relationship between the music and visuals - This one is applicable to a certain extent. It fits because the music links to the music they are playing on their instruments and when the guitar solo is going on, Danny is playing the solo on his guitar. But it also doesn't fit because the editing isn't really done to the beat of the music etc.

4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist - Lots of close ups of the band members are used throughout the music video, this satisfies the audience as each band member is shown with various close ups.

5. The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work (a visual style) - this is evident in McFly's music videos as the majority of them show the band performing the song for parts of the video and the other parts are the band messing around in the theme of the song.

Iconic music video from before I was born

The music video for Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' is seen as an iconic video for many reasons. Firstly, it is one of Jackson's earliest music videos which gives it an iconic feel as this was the beginning of the king of pop. This video features the first time Jackson ever did his globally known dance move 'The Moonwalk' for his audience which is another reason why this is seen to be an iconic video, as he then went on to have that be his 'signature move'.

The video itself shows close ups of Michael Jackson's face as he walks down the street. His face looks caring and the close up shows the face the women fell in love with. Also, a close up is used when following the coin into the homeless mans cup. This emphasises MJ's skill.

The editing used is very much controlled by MJ, each shot cuts back to him to show us what he is doing during the whole video. This emphasises his importance. Slow motion is also used on some shots such as the cat running from behind a bin. However, the slow motion doesn't look smooth which could suggest it is one of the first times this had been tried in a music video.

MJ's costume in this video is very much to make him look cool and make everyone want to be like him. The bow tie, shirt and shiny shoes suggest he has lots of money. The way that everything he touches lights up suggests that he is like royalty and needs everything he touches to be bright, clean and shiny.

Goodwin's Theory Powerpoint

Music Video Timeline

The Monkees

Music Video- Monkees 'I'm A Believer'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuBREMXxts

This song was released on the 31st December 1966. The Monkees were a young band that had some big hits in the 1960's; so big that we hear there songs to this very day (e.g. film).
In the Music video the band is the only thing that is shown; throughout this the camerawork is focused more on the lead singer who is also a drummer. This is very uncommon to have a drummer as the lead singer. We know that he is the dominant figure in this music video due to him being placed in the middle of the shot and that there is also low angle shot; looking up at him.
Thoughout this piece the editing is neither slow or fast paced. However the camera was very focused on the instruments that they were playing as they were doing close up shots of each instrument. From this they then move onto the person playing the instrument.
In this video there is alot of close ups, all of which are showing the hapiness of the band memeber. Also another key camera technique was the wide shots showing the band as a whole, from this i gathered that they were earing all the same clothes and also that this was a common style for teenagers in the 1960's.

Music Video Analysis- Thriller, Micheal Jackson

One of the main reasons as to why this music video is seen as iconic is due to it being one of the very first music videos to be made in the style of a short film which is similar to a horror film. Another key aspect as to why this music video is seen as iconic is due to the theme of horror which is shown through many mise en scene and sound aspects throughout the film which makes the video iconic as no music videos had ever been made that were based around very little other than the artist and their lyrics let alone a horror film which is why Thriller stands out.

Many mise en scene elements which are based around the horror genre are used effectively within the music video. We see props such as the smoke and fog which helps to create a spooky and mysterious feel for the audience and add to the realism of the video. The setting of the graveyard and spooky house are also key elements of the horror genre which help to distinguish from the typical everyday settings that are seen in most music videos, the fact that its set at night also helps to create a more haunted music video.

One key aspect of what makes the music video a success is the link between on screen visuals and sound, during the video we hear and see dialogue when Micheal Jackson mentions the door slamming and then immediately after a non diegetic door slam sound effect plays this adds continuity to the video as well as making the audience jump. We also hear an eary screeching sound effect suddenly implemented when we see a change on screen when the zombies awake from the grave which is used to add to the haunted atmosphere that seeing the zombies awake creates.

The frequent use of close ups of Micheal Jacksons face also help to emphasise his change from being normal to zombified and the close ups of him make it clear to the audience that the girl is in danger. another important camera shot within the extract is the wide shot which is used to show the choreography and manages to incorporate all of the zombies dancing and emphasise that they are taking over.