Textual analysis of music videos

Mise-en-scene

The music video to 'Paramore's song Decode is set in a forest. Because this song is used in the film 'Twilight' (2008), it's likely they set it in a forest to create more of a connection between the song and the film. The nature aspect has quite positive, peaceful connotations, which is juxtaposed by the violent extracts from the film.

In terms of props, typical band equipment is shown to help identify the punk rock genre. Extracts from the film also show vehicles, as a way of making it more contemporary, as well as a way of incorporating verisimilitude.























All band members appear to wear black, which connotes death and depression, which are themes that are covered extensively in this song and are common elements within the punk rock genre.

High key lighting is used throughout, creating a more upbeat mood and tone, and possibly relating to a younger target demographic. They may have also done it to create a sense of consistency between the performance shots and the film extracts, creating a smoother transition between the two.

Sound

The lack of diegetic sound appears to be a consistent technique used in the punk rock genre, and we will take this into account as we devise our own music video.

Editing

During the opening guitar solo, there appears to be multiple fade to blacks, connoting a more sinister tone. Similarly to previous examples there is also a fast pace throughout the video, mirroring the beat and pace of the song itself, making transitions smoother. There is also a section in which the guitarist is walking through the forest and the time of the shot is sped up to convey a more aggressive and animalistic atmosphere.

Camera

Within the video there are panning midshots of the band, presenting them as more cinematic as well as creating a wider variety of shot types.













There are also high angle shots of the band, which has inferior connotations, making them appear unimportant compared to the film extracts.













Point of view shots are also used, with tracking establishing shots of the forest being very shaky and ecstatic, resembling the movement of a wild animal and relating to the werewolf aspect of the film.