Analysis of Green Day- American Idiot

Camerawork:

The video starts off using a long shot of the lead band member playing his guitar. This

immediately conveys to the audience that he is a big member of the band because he starts

the video. Furthermore, in the shot, you can see that the band member is being filmed,

which connotes to the viewer that they are watching the music video being created as the

official music video. This gives the music video and fresh and unique style in comparison to

other music videos. A few seconds later, a long shot of the band is used to show them in a

stance which portrays their style and attitude. This shot is slowly zoomed in, allowing the

audience to further see what is portrayed across to them. A low angle is used to show the

lead band member playing the guitar. This means that the camera is looking up at him,

which signifies power and authority because he is the main person in the band. Close ups

are used of the lead band member singing to show the audience the facial expressions he is

putting across in order to implement his attitude into the viewer’s mind. Panning is used

when the band are performing together in order to get all the band members into the shot,

thus allowing the audience to see the enthusiasm and effort portrayed from the band.

Another low angle is used when showing the band members performing infront of the giant

American flag. This symbolises to the audience that the band are putting across the point

that America is a powerful country. At the end of the video, the camera zooms out in order

to give the audience an establishing shot, which shows each band member walking off. This

represents the end of the video.

Editing:

Fast paced editing is used at the start of the video by cutting between different camera

shots of the main band member performing. This could be done in order to link with the

music, because the song starts with the guitar being played at a fast pace. When the camera

is slowly panning around the band, it has been edited so that the camera moved extremely

slow; giving a slow motion effect. However, the band is performing ferociously at speed.

This creates a good effect because it looks as if everything is slow motion, except the band.

Slow paced editing is used when the massive green explosion takes place. This is done in

order to give the audience more of an experience regarding the explosion. It also allows

them to see the full effects of it and the reaction from the band members. Focus in and out

is used on some close ups of the lead band member. This represents the energetic,

enthusiastic, crazy style to the song. By altering the shots in this way it helps the video to

link in with the song itself.

Mise En Scene:

The clothing worn by the band is all black and the lead band member is the only one who is

wearing a tie; which is stereotypically red. These colours connote to the audience the style

and genre of the band as well as their attitude. Furthermore, the tie worn by the lead band

member connotes to the viewer that he has the authority over the rest of the band, because

he is the main member. The props used are stereotypical instruments you would expect to

see a band of this genre using. They include guitars, drums and microphones. Another major

prop used is the giant American flag. This is used to emphasize the meaning and storyline

behind the song towards the viewer. This prop also portrays the power, wealth and

authority of America because of the size of it and how it is shown on camera at a low angle

looking up towards it. The setting of the video is in an empty, massive warehouse, this gives

the audience the impression of an echo effect. It also further emphasizes the idea of size

and power from America because the warehouse is massive like the country. Also by having

the warehouse, this gives the video high key lighting because the size and scale of lights.

However, there are parts of the video where low key lighting is used. This is mainly used

when the fast paced editing is taking place.

Sound:

This video doesn’t use many sound effects other than portraying the illusion that the band

members are performing live, when actually the music is implemented in after the video is

produced. This is done to make the viewer believe that there is diagetic sound, in order to

make the experience of the video more realistic and gripping.