Andrew Goodwin was born in Middlesex, England. He studied as an undergraduate at the university of Liverpool and as a post graduate he studied at the university of Wales, Bangor; obtaining a degree in music from both.
Goodwin was one of the first people to analyse music videos to the same extent as the other medias. In 1992 he wrote a book entitles 'Dancing in the distraction factory'. This book thoroughly analyses music videos, and also it explains and explores Goodwins theories. His aim of this book was to look into the realtionship between sound and image.
Goodwin strongly believes that music itself creates an image, he says "the suggestion that music itself lacks a visual component is a sympton of not listening carefully enough". He describes how a variety of techniques have been developed to represent and visulise sounds, for instance speed is portrayed by fast editing, transitions and computer effects. These techniques are also used in videos with an enerjetic theme. A good example of these techniques in use is in 'The Prodigy- Invaders must die' . The first few shots have a fast paced transition fading to black which creates anticipation and pace.
Another aspect that Goodwin explained and recognised is the used of lighting, or lighting with in the editing to stress the beat or rythm within a track. He gives his example of this in the video 'The Power' by Snap; He describes this as "a flashbulb accenting stresses in rythm". He also notices musical phasing, for instance when the music is reaching the climax, the tempo of editing may increase, the volume will increase but also the post filming effects with strenghten. For example if a shot starts in black and white, it may gain contrast making the borders between black and white more prominent and exxagerated.
According to Goodwin, there are 3 crucial aspects of a song (especially in Pop songs):
- The voice
- The rhythm
- and the backing that supports them both
He describes these 3 elements as being crucial elements in the video aswell. The voice should always be complimented and featured. There must be a pulse or rhythm throughout to be able to move the music, and keep the momentum. And finally the background clips should either compliment the song, or contrast in such a strong way to make it purposeful and accented. Goodwin gives the example of Jamiroquai's 'Half the man' to show how most music videos concentrate on vocals. He describes the shots as "unedited close-ups of J.K's face". This video is very simple thus making the main attraction the vocals. Some other music videos however have clashes between the rhythm and the vocals. This is often portrayed through the narrative and performance.
Goodwin also states that the promotion clip is just as important for representing the harmonic development. The harmonic and dynamic differences between the chorus and the verses are equally represented in the promotion clip. Goodwin describes this to be a "shift in emphasis". The music gains tension towards the climax, this is then released the second that a strong rhythm is acquired for instance when a guitar chord is struck or when a bass and drum rhythm beat happens.
Deducing the conclusion of a song and video can be done by looking at 3 aspects:
- Visually: one common action is when the lead walks away from the band, or set, another common convention depicting the end of a video is the previous images reversing. One of the most basic suggestions is the drawing of the night.
- Lyrically: the are 2 chief ways in which the vocals can suggest the end. The repetition of words over and over, often these words are inclusive of the title; an example of this is in The Beautiful South's 'a little time' when the words 'I've had a little time' are repeated. Another technique is a decrease in volume or in the tempo.
- Musically: Often an instrumental signifies the closure to a song, however the main clue is a pitch of note, which has a special relation to the previous. This is called a cadence.
Goodwin describes the use repeated words as making the song more memorable and thus more profitable, as the words resonate in the mind.
Another aspect that Goodwin explained and recognised is the used of lighting, or lighting with in the editing to stress the beat or rythm within a track. He gives his example of this in the video 'The Power' by Snap; He describes this as "a flashbulb accenting stresses in rythm". He also notices musical phasing, for instance when the music is reaching the climax, the tempo of editing may increase, the volume will increase but also the post filming effects with strenghten. For example if a shot starts in black and white, it may gain contrast making the borders between black and white more prominent and exxagerated.
According to Goodwin, there are 3 crucial aspects of a song (especially in Pop songs):
- The voice
- The rhythm
- and the backing that supports them both
He describes these 3 elements as being crucial elements in the video aswell. The voice should always be complimented and featured. There must be a pulse or rhythm throughout to be able to move the music, and keep the momentum. And finally the background clips should either compliment the song, or contrast in such a strong way to make it purposeful and accented. Goodwin gives the example of Jamiroquai's 'Half the man' to show how most music videos concentrate on vocals. He describes the shots as "unedited close-ups of J.K's face". This video is very simple thus making the main attraction the vocals. Some other music videos however have clashes between the rhythm and the vocals. This is often portrayed through the narrative and performance.
Goodwin also states that the promotion clip is just as important for representing the harmonic development. The harmonic and dynamic differences between the chorus and the verses are equally represented in the promotion clip. Goodwin describes this to be a "shift in emphasis". The music gains tension towards the climax, this is then released the second that a strong rhythm is acquired for instance when a guitar chord is struck or when a bass and drum rhythm beat happens.
Deducing the conclusion of a song and video can be done by looking at 3 aspects:
- Visually: one common action is when the lead walks away from the band, or set, another common convention depicting the end of a video is the previous images reversing. One of the most basic suggestions is the drawing of the night.
- Lyrically: the are 2 chief ways in which the vocals can suggest the end. The repetition of words over and over, often these words are inclusive of the title; an example of this is in The Beautiful South's 'a little time' when the words 'I've had a little time' are repeated. Another technique is a decrease in volume or in the tempo.
- Musically: Often an instrumental signifies the closure to a song, however the main clue is a pitch of note, which has a special relation to the previous. This is called a cadence.
Goodwin describes the use repeated words as making the song more memorable and thus more profitable, as the words resonate in the mind.
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