Foo Fighters: The Pretender
Analysis of Music Video (Broken down)
- Light comes on gradually linking in as the same tempo as the slow guitar intro.
- The bands genre is demonstrated by the mise-en-scene of the large expansive hall and the big set up.
- High-angle long-shot looks down, focusing on the artist, representing there is a higher power of the band, which is yet to be shown in the video at this point.
- Close up of the artist wrapping a bandage around his hand as protection, which signifies he’s preparing for a fight, whcih is a methaphor to the style of song and the events of the video
- Low-angle of the back of the star clenching his fist, representing he’s powerful as he is also positioned in the centre of the frame. He’s against the darkness, shown by the black he is facing, ‘keep you in the dark, you know they all pretend’ – speaking directly to whoever is hiding in the dark.
- Black line across the floor represents a divide.
- ‘...and so it all began.’ – Lyrics are a narrative.
- Aggression built up during the introduction is then transferred into the song through the lead singers vocals and lyrics as the rest of the band join in. Also the energy and aggression is presented through the fast jump cut editing and the fast pan and tilt movements of the camera, moving around the band showing how they are aggressively playing their instruments.
- Extreme close-up of lead singers face, camera is positioned at eye-level creating intimacy with the viewer, puts us in the place of the opposition. Red background behind band signifies anger, passion.
- Jump cuts and alternates between high and low angle shots – manic atmosphere. Creates a dynamic feel, reflecting the energy of the rock band.
- Panning around the back of lead singer, shows he’s opposing something.
- The back of one riot policeman emerging from the darkness – opposing force, represents the divide.
- Cross-cutting between extreme close-up of lead singer and the riot policeman
- Lead singer represention agression and rebellion in a sense
- Riot policeman on the other hand representing order, law, control signified by the uniform
- This develops into a narrative as the lyrics seem to almost mock the officer “What if I say I will never surrender” “you’re the pretender”.
- Policeman pulls down shield over his face for protection, ready to fight. Similar to lead singer wrapping bandage around his hand at the start.
- Camera tilts from high-angle to low angle from behind policeman = status and hierarchy shifts.
- Over the shoulder shot from lead singer to the policeman, targeting him directly, singing lyrics to him.
- A line of riot police emerge from the darkness
- Lead singer positioned in the centre of the shot. Field of depth – closest to the camera and in focus.
- Camera tracks along the line of police to highlight chronological number order of the police, represents order - antagonists to the band which represent rebellion, expression, out of control.
- Long-shot shows two opposing forces. Foo Fighters – live, energetic stage performance contrasts with the police who are standing still
- Extreme close-up of lead singers mouth shouting lyrics into the microphone – ‘What if I say I will never surrender?’ challenging police, followed by a high angle shot showing there are a line of police and only four band members.
- Constant cross-cutting between lead singer and police creates tension.
- Tempo and dynamics suddenly rise as the red wall explodes.
- Long shot showing a side angle of the band as they lean forward imitating the immense force of the intense red explosion. Releasing their power, anger and fury.
- Slight low-angle shot portraying the police getting ‘defeated’. Camera is positioned amongst the falling police, representing the chaos and how their status has dropped dramatically. Contrasts with the band who are standing strong.
- Role reversal – riot police are meant to force people back, however they are getting forced back by the band’s fury and the red explosion.
- Foo Fighters are drenched in red, showing their immense power, fury, passion and anger.
- Jump cuts at the end are synchronised on beat with the drums. Chaotic – alternates between the police and the band which shows the contrast between the differing statuses.
- Lead singer smashes guitar to release anger/energy – generic convention of a rock performance.
- Colour of the shot fades from red into white showing balance is restored and that the band have won, ending with a close up of the star’s face.
Overall I think the whole idea of the video is incredibly symbolystic to the band them selves, and how they are powerful against the media and power of law, and rebel against police essentially, like stereotypical rock bands. They are showing their characteristics as a band to be powerful and allow their music to be listened by all people, despite songs having explicit content, they have the abilty for their lyrics to get through to their fans.
