Music Video Analysis

 

Blink182 Music Video Analysis

This video is of the pop punk genre that I have chosen. This is by a similar band to Sum41, Blink182. This song was released in 1999.

Camera

There is a variety of different shots including: long shots, mid shots, close ups, extreme close ups, tracking shots and panning shots. These are used to convey the reality and starkness of what they are doing, running around naked. This links with the lyrics of 'What's My Age Again?' as they are playing a prank on society and being immature. This links with Goodwin's theory is the lyrics are linking to what we see on screen. The video begins with a close up of the bassist Mark Hoppus. This is done deliberately to immediately gain focus and make the audience wonder what they are doing. This zooms out to a long shot of the band running.

 

The shots don't change often to enforce the shocking image of them being naked. This furthers the idea of them being immature. The shots are also mainly mid or long shots to make sure that the audience can see what the band is doing.
 
Editing

The editing has continuity and includes sharp cuts. This is to give the idea of verisimilitude. The idea of the band being cheeky is furthered by this and is seen as to be the truth. The cheekiness of the band is a convention of the pop punk genre. Other videos that I have watched include teenagers playing pranks and being rebellious. For example, the video for the Sum41 song 'Fat Lip' includes groups of teenagers 'messing about'. As the band are naked in the video, blurred boxes and guitars are used to cover their genitals. This because the band may get a bad image if the boxes were not present. The video also probably would not be aired or gain popularity with the masses. The end shot however, features the band members bums. This was done deliberately to be edgy at the time and shock audiences, gaining popularity. Nudity was not something normal to see in music videos. 

 

Mise en scene

 

The locations and props used are quite typical to American life. This contrasts with the not normal thing that they are doing, being naked. This furthers the idea of them being cheeky and rebellious as they are seen to disturb the peace of the normal setting. The performance aspects are set in a plain white room. This does not take the focus away from the band, their music or their message of rebellion that they are trying to convey. Costume isn't used in this video as the nakedness adds interest.

 

CD cover

The cover is a typical pop punk CD cover. It is fairly simple and colourful. This one features the band. They do not always feature them unless they have star power. As Blink 182 are one of the biggest pop punk bands of all time, their star power added extra popularity to their products, especially with the band featuring on the front. The cheeky naked theme links to the video and the song lyrics again. Even though they are in their underwear, an audience can still identify the genre of their music with their cheekiness, tattoos and punk hairstyles. The logo and style of writing that the band have adopted remains the same as on their other albums and singles, allowing the audience to make connections to immediately see which band the CD belongs to.