The document analyzes a Green Day music video in the punk rock/pop punk genre. It summarizes that the video takes place in a darkened area with searchlights, symbolizing the rebellious and anti-government nature of punk rock. The narrative follows a linear structure matching the fast-paced song. The target audience is generally youth aged 15-30 who can identify with the band's message of rebellion against authority and societal norms. Both punk rock stereotypes and challenges to the genre are represented through the band's appearance, aggressive sound and style, and aim to inspire broader social change.
1. Analysis
Genre
Punk Rock/ Pop Punk
The main characteristics of this genre are things like having the band playing
live in a certain area for example a restricted area. In this video that I am
analyzing there is green day playing in a darkened area with blacken
backgrounds with searchlights on them. This shows the rebellious side of the
punk rock genre with constant anti government hints. They could be using the
background to distance themselves in their aggressively modern take on society,
again hinted at by
the cameras and the
searchlights. These
anti government
suggestions could be
a claim that within society the people are always controlled and under
surveillance. This, therefore, is there rebellion against society, which is a main
feature of the punk rock antiestablishment mentality and is directly linked to the
genre. Their image in the music video is again stereotypical of punk rock for
example; their tattoo sleeves, the aggressive way they hold themselves shown in
the meet shots of the lead singer, drummer and bassist and the dark colours that
they wear and the constant switching between black and white.
Narrative
The narrative of this video is very stereotypical of the pun rock genre and is set
in a linear style going from the beginning of the song to the end with out any
other cross cuts or other devices. The timing of the video matches the song,
making it, naturally, fast paced. This is to be expected as punk music is fast paced
and aggressive. The theme of the narrative is very anti authority and follows the
“stripped down, no bullshit rock and roll” which is a common theme of, more or
less, all punk rock bands. It could also be to educate people about on the truth of
society
Audience
The target audience of this music video is both boys and girls usually between
the ages of 15 to 30 and they are usually of a working class background. This is
the main age ground for most punk songs as it provokes thought and rebellion
amongst you young people. Young people can identify themselves with the band
and give them an adrenaline rush and encourage them to question society and
not to just accept anything. It also helps the audience to rebel with the band and
gives them a sense of anarchy and rebellion.
Representation
The punk rock stereotypes are both shown and challenged in this video. This is
because they use the anti establishment mentality as a motivation for the songs
and the want to inspire change are big motives within punk rock. There is also
their costume and appearance, which is also punk, this is shown by the black
clothing and tattooed arms. The sheer aggression within the video is an
2. undeniable stereotype of punk rock. But, on the other hand, they challenge the
genre by opening it up to the wider audience instead of being the usual small
punk rock band with the DIY ethic. It could also be said that them doing this
could be punk though as they aren’t conforming to the traditional punk rock
genre. A star image isn’t really created within this genre and video as punk is
more or a mind set that a genre, they are more of a role model than a star image.
Shot Count
There are approximately 145 shot throughout the full video. They are mostly
POV shots and are very fast paced.