Goodwin's Theory (1992)

Goodwin's Theory is the theory which states what codes and conventions every music video follows.


1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in rock video, dance routine in pop etc).
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals.
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).
5. There is frequently references t notion of looking (screen within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. There is often intertextual references (to films, TV programmes other music videos, etc)