Andrew Goodwin's Theory:

Andrew Goodwin produced a theory that can be defined simply as the 'rules' of producing a successful music video. These rules can be summarized as follows:

• A relationship between the visuals either illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the lyrics.
• A relationship between the music and the visuals again either illustrating, amplifying and contradicting the music.
• Music genres have their own music video style and iconography.
• There is likely to be voyeurism, particularly in the treatment of women, and close-ups of the main artist or vocalist.
• There is likely to be inter-textual references either to other music videos or to films or TV texts.

Richard Dyers' Theory:

Richard Dyer’s Star Theory is the idea that stars and celebrities are constructed by institutions in order to make money; stars are built to target a specific demographic and usually have a unique selling point (USP) in order for them to make more money and stand out from other stars.

 

According to Dyer, stars share common values; this includes being constructed out of a range of materials and believes the persona of a star is a fictional identity which means they’re not restricted to musicianship. Many stars promote fashion trends and other popular phases to the consumers through their high profile status.

 

'Guerrilla' Music video features both of these theorists, in the music video the lyrics talk about rebellion, power, resistance and breaking systems. The visuals shown are military imagery and a sense of uprising and revolting against higher powers. This supports Goodwin's idea that music videos often visually reflect lyrical themes. In 'Guerilla' there's fast, intense beats and sharp cuts and dramatic camera movement, explosive visuals and powerful meaningful choreography. The editing pace and the choreography aligns closely wit the aggressive tempo of the music, supporting Goodwin's theory of a strong link between sound and image.

Guerilla music vid

Big Issue Poster

My poster is inspired by The Big Issue and the narrative superhero game Dispatch, using intertextuality to connect gaming culture with real-world social responsibility. The headline “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” challenges traditional superhero stereotypes and reinforces the idea that ordinary people can be heroes through everyday actions.

The use of Dispatch is significant because the game focuses on moral choice, redemption, and giving former villains a second chance. This directly parallels The Big Issue’s ethos of empowerment over charity, as vendors are represented as capable and dignified rather than passive victims. The line “In games, heroes save cities. In real life, you can too” links fictional heroism to real-world action. Dispatch’s cultural relevance is reinforced by its commercial success, having sold over one million copies within its first week, making the reference recognisable to a young, gaming-aware audience.

The Christmas theme is reinforced through festive visuals such as snowflakes and seasonal colours, symbolising generosity, community, and giving. This context strengthens the call to action, encouraging audiences to support The Big Issue at a time when homelessness is more visible and urgent.

Socially and politically, the poster reflects the idea that when governments fail to fully protect citizens, communities must step in. By promoting social responsibility rather than waiting for institutional change, the poster positions supporting The Big Issue as a heroic act.

Overall, the poster targets a young, socially aware audience familiar with gaming culture, using bold typography, comic-style graphics, and clear messaging to encourage engagement and action.