2. This still image is from the Blink 182 music video of ‘All The Small Things’ and shows
the band playing a live gig in front of a large audience. Already, this shot
emphasises how this band is very unconventional for its genre. For example, the
genre of this band would be alternative pop/rock, whereas the fact that they have a
large audience to play in front of connotes that they are not that alternative.
3. The plot for this video is very vague as the lyrics and video do not link in any way;
the song is about the things that the singers girlfriend did for him and this is
emphasised by the lyric ‘She left me roses by the stairs, surprises let me know she
cares’, whereas the video is all about challenging conventions and breaking the
rules. For example, the scene and costumes change throughout the video to
connote the idea of how different this band is and how they try to challenge all
the conventions of a boy band.
4. The costumes used in this video have been chosen specifically as they mimic
other bands, and this band has a reputation for disregarding all conventions and
humouring all other bands that follow such conventions. For example,
throughout the video the costumes that are used are extremely similar to those
used by bands such as the Backstreet Boys.
5. However, it is not only costumes that this band uses to humour these more
conventional bands. Blink 182 also copy dance routines and locations from these
bands music videos. This has been done as it emphasises the idea that they frown
on the more conventional bands.
Blink 182 Backstreet Boys
6. Setting
The location also contradicts the conventions of their genre. The band hare
shown to be playing in many different locations including the beach, a car park
and an airport. These locations have been chosen because even though they a
re not conventional of this genre, they allow the band to ridicule typical things
seen in music videos.
7. For example, a member can be seen in what looks to be a provocative sequence
but this ends up to be no more than somebody spilling water on him while washing
a coach. Also, conventionally an alternative band would not be playing live gigs to
tens of thousands of people.
8. However, throughout the video during live shots there is clearly aHowever, throughout the video during live shots there is clearly a
large audience visible just behind the band. By including such alarge audience visible just behind the band. By including such a
large audience, the band are again anchoring the idea that theylarge audience, the band are again anchoring the idea that they
class themselves as alternative as they follow their own rules.class themselves as alternative as they follow their own rules.
9. Camera AnglesCamera Angles
The camera angle used within this shot connotes the power that theThe camera angle used within this shot connotes the power that the
band may have over their audience, but also how they are idolised byband may have over their audience, but also how they are idolised by
their audience. This angle may have also been used to emphasise thetheir audience. This angle may have also been used to emphasise the
idea that this band is better and stronger than those bands that decideidea that this band is better and stronger than those bands that decide
to follow stereotypes and conventions.to follow stereotypes and conventions.
10. Also, the only time that this type of shot is used is when the band areAlso, the only time that this type of shot is used is when the band are
playing themselves and are in their own clothes; when playing asplaying themselves and are in their own clothes; when playing as
other recognisable bands the shot is almost always at eye level withother recognisable bands the shot is almost always at eye level with
the viewer. This could again anchor the idea that this band is superiorthe viewer. This could again anchor the idea that this band is superior
as they do not follow typical conventions.as they do not follow typical conventions.
11. CostumeCostume
The costume used within this frame has been chosen specifically toThe costume used within this frame has been chosen specifically to
represent the band’s own personalities as all other costumes usedrepresent the band’s own personalities as all other costumes used
within the video represent their feelings and opinions rather thanwithin the video represent their feelings and opinions rather than
their personality and character. However, the costumes used in thistheir personality and character. However, the costumes used in this
frame are also of very similar colours showing the relationship andframe are also of very similar colours showing the relationship and
connections between the band members.connections between the band members.
12. Although the three quarter length shorts are very conventional of thisAlthough the three quarter length shorts are very conventional of this
genre, the rest of the costume goes against the conventions andgenre, the rest of the costume goes against the conventions and
stereotypes for this genre. This could show how the band are notstereotypes for this genre. This could show how the band are not
classed as ‘alternative’ because they follow the conventions of thatclassed as ‘alternative’ because they follow the conventions of that
genre, but rather they follow their own individual rules.genre, but rather they follow their own individual rules.
13. ColoursColours
The colours used throughout the video are consistently bright.The colours used throughout the video are consistently bright.
However, when it comes to the live shots the colours within the sceneHowever, when it comes to the live shots the colours within the scene
becomes significantly darker. This can be seen in the still from thebecomes significantly darker. This can be seen in the still from the
band’s video. The darker colours may have been used when theband’s video. The darker colours may have been used when the
band members are playing themselves to show the seriousness ofband members are playing themselves to show the seriousness of
this section of the video.this section of the video.
14. This idea is also emphasised by the use of a brighter, louder mixtureThis idea is also emphasised by the use of a brighter, louder mixture
of colours that is used in all the other scenes as this anchors the ideaof colours that is used in all the other scenes as this anchors the idea
that in these scenes the members are showing a more childish andthat in these scenes the members are showing a more childish and
playful side. The brighter colours that are used also have positiveplayful side. The brighter colours that are used also have positive
connotations signifying that this video is about having fun.connotations signifying that this video is about having fun.
