Thursday 11 September 2014

Music Video Analysis: Burn It Down-AWOLNATION

The video starts with an establish shot of a court room, similar to the style of the TV show 'Judge Judy'. Text appears on the screen with the band logo at the top, with glowing golden text saying 'In The Court Room'. This is not a stereotypical setting for music videos of this genre, as they are more studio based or are in areas of industry or dilapidated areas, such as 'Du Hast' by Rammstein.

It zooms in to the bailiff on the line 'Will the defendant please rise?'. After a cut to the crowd, it cuts to a tilt shot the defendant, played by the frontman Aaron Bruno, as he stands from his chair. It then cuts to a mid shot of the judge as she speaks, name dropping the song 'Guilty Filthy Heart' which is also by AWOLNATION.

As Aaron crouches, it cuts to a wide shot of him and his lawyer, as the song starts playing. After interchanging long shots and close ups between the judge and Aaron, he sends a blast of energy on time with his vocalisation ('Woo') towards the bailiff.

The camera then cuts to a member of the jury, then pans to the bailiff, who is now an astronaut, which is a common trope of AWOLNATION videos as it ties in with the name of their album 'Back From Earth'. It shows a close up of Aaron after which. it cuts to a wide shot of the judge as she becomes a mannequin after another energy blast.

Another energy blast is fired through another wide shot of the jury, altering them into soldiers and ninjas. This is on time with the start of the chorus.

It then cuts to a close up of Aaron, who turns towards the clark and starts moving towards her as the chorus progresses. It shows a close up of her, then tilts down to her typewriter. It then shows a close up of Aaron's hand, shooting another energy blast to the clark, cutting to where she was sat, it now being empty. It then cuts to the judges box, in which the clark now appears as a mermaid. It then cuts to a series of close-ups of people in the crowd, who all have puzzled and surprised looks on their faces. Indicating the shock of the moment, which may replicate the viewers' reactions.

Afterwards, it cuts to a long shot of Aaron, singing to the court room, facing the camera. It shows a series of rapid cuts in time with the percussion. After which, it cuts to a medium shot, facing up the benches of the prosecution and the defence, with a leading line from the prosecution, to the defence lawyer, who are all changed to attractive women, stereotypical of male dominant music videos. After which Aaron blasts the court room, turning it into a club scene and dance floor, anaphorically referencing the lyrics. However, the barriers separating the crowd are now used as stage barriers.

The video continues in a similar style, showing typical voyeuristic imagery, which highlights the electronic side of the band and borrowing tropes from more popular genres. There is a lot of handheld camera in this section, showing a frantic and bustling scene, as if the cameraman is dancing in the 'club'.

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