JC Goodwin writing frame

When considering the key features of a music video, Andrew Goodwin, Dancing in the Distraction Factory (1992) identified a number of conventions which can be applied to the music video ‘Celestine’ by Spector directed by Jed Cullen in High-5 Collective.

Firstly he stated that music videos demonstrate genre characters. This video could be categorised as being in the indie-rock genre. It is conventional in that the iconography in the video heavily revolves around props, costume and location to reinforce a retrospective theme. For example, sharp suits and slicked back hair connote to the 1950’s fashion style, as well as circular glasses, which represent the ‘nerd’ stereotype.

The cutting rate of the music video is rapid and frequent, upholding the fast tempo of the song. Many different angles of the band are featured in order to keep the audience interested and give them a ‘fresh look’ at the performers. Furthermore, various inter-textual references are used in the form of brief flashes of text. These refer to a handful of concepts, quotes and also other artists, such as: Art Deco, ‘Nothing you haven’t seen before’ and Kid Harpoon.

The narrative of the video is heavily performance-based, which serves to maintain the authenticity of the band’s talent as musicians. This is done by frequent close ups of the band’s instruments and their playing, e.g.: fingers pressing notes on the fretboard of a guitar etc. The lead singer is also frequently given CUs of his face, this is done to help the audience associate the band’s name and track with his face or the more recognisable motif: his glasses. This technique is known as the ‘meat’ of a music video.

Goodwin discussed the relationship between lyrics and visuals. In relation to the lyrics, it is clear that the video is disjunctive however in the narrative sequence it is more performance-based.

He made reference to the notion of looking, and in the video this is clearly shown by the use of a mirror being looked into by the band members and also directly into the camera. This makes it seem as if the artist is directly speaking to the audience, rather than immersing them in a complex narrative- which is difficult to do in a 3-4 minute video. Importantly he talked about the voyeuristic treatment of the body. With reference to this video the faces of the band members are the most frequently shown aspects of the human body, as the video aims to associate the audience with the band’s image and faces.

Music videos are a postmodern form which implies that they often borrow and rework from other texts and forms. ‘Celestine’ uses intertextuality in the form of a pastiche of a retro 1950s feel.