Goodwin's Narrative Theory

Illustration

Illustration is where a music video tells a narrative story that is related to the song of the lyric. It follows the story line of the song and the video is there to help an audience understand the story. For example, Thriller by Michael Jackson. 

I believe that 'Thriller' is an illustration music video as the whole way through a narrative story is being told through Michael Jackson becoming another creature. The full length of the music video is 13 minutes and 42 seconds so acting also takes place before during and after. At 4 minutes 13 seconds, the song starts to play which shows how their is a long narrative. Whereas at 10 minutes 50 seconds the music stops and further acting and credits continue until the end.

Here we see a scream which directly relates to the song 'Thriller' as the song itself is about staying away from the monsters and zombies themselves and 'realising theres no where left to run'.

Likewise, this is wear Michael turns into a creature himself, before we find out that they were watching a screen after all at the cinema. This directly follows the narrative theory as the lady is following him.

This shows the dance break from the monsters showing how they have taken over the city and do not care about frightening the civilians. It constantly is playing with the audiences minds as they are wondering whether the characters are dreaming this or this is actually happening in the world of the video. 

Amplification

The images amplify the lyrics as a narrative and may be used to convey a deeper meaning that would not be picked up from the lyrics alone. The artists may take on fictional roles within the narrative such as Lady GaGa: Judas. 

Here we see GaGa wearing bright colours portraying her as God like being the leader of the pack on the bikes with all the bikers having names of the disciples showing the disciples following GaGa.

 This is the dance break that Judas is portraying, with backing dancers once again portraying GaGa's god like appearance.

 Here we see GaGa leading the dance connotating how GaGa is the leader of the pack and everyone wants to follow the pack. She is in love with Judas but currently with Jesus, but the dancers are showing their love with Lady GaGa.

As the video is called Judas, this part shows GaGa in the water being overwhelmed by the flow of water, symbolising her being baptised as she has taken is in love with Judas.








Disjuncture

This is where there is little connection between the lyric and video or where the video contradicts the lyrics or has no meaning to the song at all. For example Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford & Sons due to there being no narrative and famous comedians taking their place. 

We begin seeing the lead singer of the band not knowing that it is Jason Sudeikis the famous comedian. The video does not follow the narrative of the song as the video throughout is the comedians playing instruments outside and singing too the camera, addressing the audience.

Similarly here, Ed Helms is shown playing the piano outside. Despite the song being called 'Hopeless Wanderer' the video has no narrative.

Here we see the band play the banjo, doing silly dances, once again not relating to the video and singing to the camera.








Following this band are pictured in another random place, such as this boat however still playing huge instruments such as the chello, being slightly irrelevant.