Goodwin Voyeurism Essay

Goodwin Theory on Music Videos

Andrew Goodwin, has recognised a various amount of key features in music videos. These all contribute to the video and the relationship between things such as the lyrics and visual; illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the lyrics. This is also similar with the relationship between the music and the visuals. Furthermore, Goodwin describes voyeuristic treatment of the female body and multiple close ups of the main artist too. Finally, he describes music videos as demonstrating genre characteristics and intertextual references to other media texts.

In Justin Timberlake’s ‘What Goes Around Comes Back Around’ music video, a directors cut is seen from the start. This reflects Goodwins view that intertextual references are used in music videos; a directors cut is a edited part of a film. The song has also been described a sequel for his music video ‘Cry Me A River’. In the directors cut, sexual tension is used to emphasise the relationship between the characters. This further indicates what may happen in the music video, giving the audience an insight into the meaning of the song.

In addition, the lyrics and the visual illustrate what is being shown through the use of the first shot of what looks like a car wheel spinning around, suggesting ‘ what goes around comes around. Additionally, as Timberlake is singing, he spins around in a circle as his moves his arms in circular movements. This illustrates the title of the song and what he is trying to get across to the audience; karma will get you. Although, as the music video continues, we see a sense of the music video being amplified; the shots seen reflect what is being said too. Yet, the music and the visuals contradict. The beat of the music is out of time as the narrative is fragmented, yet as he claps his head in a shot that is of a lower angle, he claps in time to the beat of the music. This shows the relationship between the music and visuals illustrates too.

The sexual tension between the two characters is clearly visible as throughout the music video, they are very much in close contact and intimately kissing. This shows Goodwins theory that voyeurism is often present in music videos. Close up shots are used throughout on the women protagonist to exemplify her sexual side and the way in which she is seen as the ‘dangerous’ person in the video. This is also seen by the fragmented camera work and the fragmented body shots sexualising the women in the video. The way in which the women are dressed is in a very provocative way; this illustrates the idea of sex and sexuality and is a clear example of voyeurism being used. 

During the middle of the music video, the music cuts yet again for a dialogue to be heard between those in the video; this shows the fragmented narrative yet illustrates the storyline to the audience. The genre characteristics are seen through Timberlake’s acting as he normally has sexual connotations to his music, with close references to women being seen as sexy and provocative. He also plays a big role in the production process of music videos and through his iconography, is repeatedly releasing good quality music videos which are recognised by his similar techniques, such as voyeurism.

The technical aspects are also seen through the lighting in the video; the dim lighting reflects the mood of the song and illustrates what may happen as it has negative connotations. Moreover, the use of bedrooms and swimming pool scenes when the protagonists are kissing show the range of mis en scene’s to keep the audience engaged and wanting more. As the narrative progress, the lighting gets brighter, emphasising a dramatic moment. Slow movement shots are used to let the audience engage and understand what the narrative is and what is trying to be said through the video. As the beat of the song changes to a faster pace, cars racing off at nearer the end of the video are seen, reflecting how the tension is building; furthermore Timberlake now sings straight into the camera, connecting with his audience in order to show the importance of what he is saying. The cuts into the car crash at the end of the video express the meaning of the title of the song and explore the moral behind the video. Furthermore, the special effects used on the car crash scene show the production of the video and as Goodwin describes, show the demand of the record label as they would want the video to be intriguing and over the top to appeal to audiences.

The intertextual references in this music video can be described as references from a film. This directors cut and various cuts to no music yet just dialogue explain the way in which a film may be. The narrative is fragmented yet through the use of the various techniques that the director has used; the storyline is still intact and easy to understand.