Research // Andrew Goodwin's Thoery

Andrew Goodwin has the idea that the traditional narrative analyses, using such ideas as Todorov, do not really apply to pop videos. There are a number of reasons for this, but it isn't because pop videos are trying to be Avant Garde, it is just because they try to approach narrative a different way to that of films and novels.

• Pop videos are built around songs. Very often, songs do not pose traditional narrative structures
• The singer portrays both character and narrator
• In pop videos, the singer often looks directly at the camera  - this is an extension of (music-hall) performance and trying to involve the viewer at home with the performance

Pop videos rely on repetition - returning to the singer/artist.