1. 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.

2. 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.