2. Generic Codes and Conventions
The music video establishes itself as belonging to the
alternative music genre, as they commonly include
concepts which represents metaphorical meanings derived
from the lyrics of the song. It focuses mostly on the
individual character and their emotions, and what effect
this has on the concepts of the video.
3. Form of music video
The music video is in the style of a performance or a representation of a
concept. The concept may materialise into several contrasting interpretations.
One of these is that the concept is the different perspectives that a young child
has in comparison to their parents, as the student performs specifically to his
mother, who seems to be embarrassed by her son, instead of being proud or
encouraging him like one would expect. It thus could suggest that the message
is for parents to support and celebrate their child in whatever they do,
regardless of the fact whether he or she may be negatively judged. It may also
be a more sociological and wider message which talks out about how society
shiels and prevents one from seeing something that the majority dislike-
”accepted, affected, protected.”
4. Cinematography
There is a combination of close-up shots and
establishing shots (long shots) of the studios
to show both the character’s movements and
their effects on the audience.
5. Relationship between sound
and images
The character is singing the song together
with the music in time. The music and video
work together in sync.
6. Mise-en-scene
All the students are wearing uniform-
stereotypical white shirts and tie, showing that
they are students. This suggests that they are in
school.The boy is wearing a coat at the start,
but he takes it off as he gains more confidence
which adheres to the concept of the video.
7. Editing
At the beginning of the video there is use of
slow pan editing when the boy is just
beginning to sing, and then the pace is
medium.
8. Audience
The audience are probably young adults or
teenagers because it takes place where
students, parents and teachers. Moreover the
concept of the video is too complex for people
of a younger age and the lyrics are of a more
alternative nature, talking of alienation and
isolation-”where i belong”.
10. Representations
The teenager is represented as confident and
content of himself by the end of the video,
which contrasts to the stubborn characters of
the other teenagers, who seem to condemn
diversity and this boy’s confidence. The boy’s
parent is represented negatively because she
seems embarrassed of her son.
