This document provides a frame-by-frame analysis of the music video for "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus. It analyzes 9 different shots or scenes from the video. The frames analyzed depict: 1) the main character falling asleep and dreaming the events of the video; 2) a close-up of the lead singer of the band; 3) the main character having his bike hit by his rival's car. Subsequent frames show: the female love interest; the band in the school hallway; the main character being pushed around in the crowd; the popular jocks; and a final scene at the prom with the main character and social outcasts. The analysis examines how each frame reinforces or sub

1. 9 FRAME ANALYSIS
By Lauren Hodge

2. The first of my nine frame is at the beginning of the video of Teenage Dirtbag where Jason
Biggs falls asleep on the stairs and dreams. A ripple affect is used to cut to the dream
sequence. The actor is wearing simple teenage, typical American clothing a checkered
shirts and black jeans. Andrew Goodwin's theory partially fits into this frame as the same
mellow beat is repeated throughout the video at different intervals. This particular shot has
no music how the one straight after does. The audience can relate to this image as
everyone at one time in their life has fallen asleep studying. This frame moves to him riding
a bike to his school, he subverts the gender typical stereotype as he isn’t dominant nor o
his peers respect him and in fact seem to be uncomfortable in his own skin.

3. The second shot I have chosen to analyze is a shot of the band, it is a close up of the lead
singer. This shot takes place in the school gym with the score board showing the score. His
look and the bands look is a bit ‘geeky’ the too long clothing, fishing hats and sun glasses.
This image is part of what make them appealing to their audience the nerdy side that
everyone can relate to.

4. In this shot we see Biggs’ park his bike and turn around only to have his bike be hit by a
car, whose owner is also his rival in the affections of the female lead. This image alone
reinforces the teenage stereotypes. The geek with a bike and the jock with the fast,
‘cool’ car. The lighting is bright a complete contrast to what the boy is feeling. This
scene then turns into the first time we see the female love interest.

5. In this shot we, the audience get to see the female love interest for
the first time. Like in most teen stories this is a pretty, popular girl
who’s boyfriend is the ‘head jock’ but is liked by the class ‘geek’, and
as most story’s the ‘geek’ gets the girl. This time the bright lighting
reflects the mood, he’s happy to see her and she lights up. She is
confident in attitude and mannerisms. We get to see her from the
males point of view (Laura Mulvey).

6. In this shot we get to see all of the band but in a different setting rather than
the gym, the hall way. They are still wearing the ‘nerdy’ clothing but look at
peace and confident in their clothing. Although they look like the main
character they are clearly loved and popular with their audience.

7. In this shot we get to see the main character again subverting the stereotypical
male assumptions, people are bumping into him yet he is the one apologizing he
is submissive to the crowd and does not stand up for himself. He is moving
against the crowd, representing how alone he is in the sea that is the other
students. He doesn’t even blink when they band into making it see that this
behavior against him is an everyday occurrence, his submissive, feeble
personality encourages this behavior.

8. In this shot we get to see the girls boyfriend and his social click,
the typical jock. They are the typical American boy’s blond hair
and a strut that shows his own perceived dominance. They are the
complete polar opposite of the other main character. He is the
stereotypical dominant male, he is confident and determined and
bullies the weaker members of society.

9. In this shot which is jest before the end we see the teens at the prom/school dance,
the main character is sat at a table with the other social outcasts and dressed in an
old suit making even more of a social recluse. His table is different to the rest of the
dance they are all sat down, not talking and sad while everyone around them happy
and dancing. This seen then goes dream like again with the appearance of the
female lead.

10. In this shot we see the female lead all dressed looking like a
prom queen but with out the jock boyfriend anymore. She is
holding tickets to iron maiden showing she has a side of her
personality that is not stereotypical of a female, gentle and
fragile. This does seem to be a dream like state due to the
effects and the fact that the male lead seems confused to see
her and share common interests with her. The video ends with
them slow dancing and like most books the guy gets the girl
while the jock is alone, his comeuppance for treating others
horribly.