This document analyzes the music video for System of a Down's "Chop Suey" in terms of its target audience and how different elements of the video cater to that audience. The target audience is identified as 16+ year old fans of metal or rock music. The lyrics focus on personal and meaningful themes that this audience enjoys. The tempo and instrumentation match conventions of rock and metal genres. Stereotypical costumes of band members and audience portray the rock/metal subculture. Camera techniques like wide shots of the drummer and band performing engage the target audience. Quick editing fits the fast tempo of the song as is common in rock/metal videos. Unusual digital effects intrigue and appeal to the target audience's preference

1. Music Video Analysis
Emma Upton
Music video analysis for the music video System of a Down – Chop Suey
Target Audience &
needs
The target audience for the music video for System Of A Down – Chop Suey is probably 16+ year old fans of metal or rock music, so
their video would have to cater to the typical needs for those genres.
Lyrics
“Father into your hands, I commend my spirit. Father into your hands, why have you forsaken me? In your eyes forsaken me, in
your thoughts forsaken me, in your heart forsaken me.” And “I don't think you trust, in my self-righteous suicide. I cry when angels
deserve to die, in my self-righteous suicide” Are very personal thoughts of the song writer, thoughts about suicide and religion or
family are incredibly personal and this definitely fits the target audience as the rock and metal scene love lyrics that are personal
and not mainstream lyrics that have no meaning. By using these lyrics they definitely cater to their target audience as personal
lyrics is what that scene enjoys.
Tempo
The tempo for this song is fast with short slow parts throughout, this is probably because the metal and rock genre tends to be fast
and heavy, so by creating a song that fits those genres it’s most likely the target audience will enjoy it. By using short slow parts in
the song it gets the audience excited, and builds them up for the next fast part or drop in the song. The tempo for this song is very
typical of rock/metal music, the guitar solos and heaving drumming throughout which they have purposely done to fit the target
audience.
The genre for this song and music video is definitely rock and slightly metal, they use the same instruments as typical rock/metal
bands do, this is definitely to cater to the target audience’s needs. Because their target audience is metal or rock fans, they have
purposely tried to fit into those genres by using instruments and song techniques that are usually involved with rock or metal. For
example, the song starts with a guitar solo then drums come in loud and start building up the tempo faster which is typical for rock
and metal songs. Also the fact they have included people dressed as typical rock and metal fans in this music video, makes it clear
who the target audience is for this genre, it also makes the listeners feel like they belong, because everyone in this video is
stereotypically dressed as a metal or rock fan, being at a rock or metal concert.
Many different camera techniques are used throughout this video, some of the most striking to me is the wide shot angle straight
above the drummer as he plays slowly tracking outwards. This shot is definitely used for the target audience, as the target
audience is rock/metal fans, who like the heavy drums and seeing him play them with all the drums in shot is clear it’s for the
target audience. Another is the wide shot of the whole band in shot with the crowd coming in surrounding the stage, this definitely
would appeal to the target audience, as the target audience are thought to of liking to go to rock concerts so by including this shot
it makes the target audience feel like they fit in and it’s something they enjoy doing. The majority of this video is either shot so you
can see the whole band, or the audience or each individual member, this definitely makes the target audience feel included as you
can see everything happening around and the band themselves. This fits the target audience because the metal and rock scene is
Genre
Camera Technique

2. Music Video Analysis
Editing
Use of digital effects
Emma Upton
thought of as different to other ‘normal’ people, so by making them feel a part of this video and feel like they belong and fit in
there definitely helps fit the target audience. Also the very close up shots of each member feels very personal and intense.
Majority of this music video has very quick editing from shot to shot, I think this fits the tempo and style of the song. Most rock or
metal music videos have quick editing to fit the fastness of the song, which this video has definitely done. So the style of editing
definitely fits the target audience as it is typical of rock and metal music videos and so the metal/rock community will enjoy this
style as they have with other rock/metal music videos.
Not many digital effects have been used in this particular video, one of the few is when each band member is preforming the shot
is of the one member at first then each band member starts coming through the other and coming into shot, their body coming
through the others, which isn’t a very popular type of digital effect used however definitely effective as it is so strikingly different
so will intrigue the audience to watch. Another digital effect used is when the camera goes over then underneath one band
member then when the camera comes back up it shows another band member, this is also very different and unusual which
definitely intrigues people to watch as it is so different. The metal/rock scene is thought of as enjoying being different and not the
norm, so by doing such unusual editing shots it definitely fits with the target audience.