Analysis three

The Pretender, Foo Fighters

Foo Fighter’s video for “The Pretender” is a good example of a music video for a rock song containing many codes and conventions of the genre.
The video starts off with a low angle shot to set the scene which appears to be a very large factory floor. In the middle of the picture is a lonely figure setting up the musical equipment. This is then contrasted to a high angle shot of the person from behind where he proceeds to put on a guitar. At this point, if we were watching the video for the first time we would not know who it was as the producers are clearly delaying it to entice viewers and guarantee they will keep watching to find out who the person is. The music begins and some dialogue but the camera still doesn’t show a face and is focused on the figure’s arms and torso where he is wrapping bandages round his hand and wrist. This suggests that he is preparing for something strenuous and physical (later to be revealed to be playing guitar which some viewers can relate with and know it takes preparation and can hurt your hands with skilful playing).
Eventually, a side profile shot of the figure reveals the person to be lead singer who is memorable and individual whilst fitting in with the stereotypical rocker with long hear and a beard. A high angle shot looking up at the drums implies the instrument is dominant and powerful while in the foreground other band members are taking their positions.
The pace of the editing turns from quite slow to very fast in time with music as this speeds up and gets louder, etc. The shots from then on are mainly close ups of the instruments being played or the singers mouth performing the dialogue. As the song progresses the amount of long and mid shots increase in number, one example being the mid shot of the lead singer up to stomach with his foot pounding to the beat of the music. Also, more low and high angle shots are used to show the extent of the setting. The camera in some shots also pans round on a dolly to give a sense of pace and action.
A large percentage of the shots are of the singer indicating he is the figurehead of the band and/or the person viewers are most likely to copy and want to be. The narrative of the video doesn’t begin until around one minute and thirty seconds in where a mysterious figure in riot gear emerges from the darkness of the building (i.e. the part not lit by the video producers). There are close ups, low angle shots and shots from behind to make him appear dangerous approaching the band, especially when he pulls down his visor implying something may happen. This is reinforced when more of the riot police come from the darkness and walk forwards suggesting to the audience, along with the lyrics, that this is perhaps a protest against something. The amount of police are amplified by the camera panning across the line of them and a tilt up shot looking down on them all facing Foo Fighters.
The highlight of the video comes around three minutes where the song goes from fat to slow paced. The shots and editing then become slower too, including the use of over cranking to show the movement of the officers charging towards the band to increase drama and tension in what the producers and the band itself obviously intended to be an action packed video. In timing with the smash of drums and pluck of strings as the music becomes louder and eventually faster the red screen that the band have been playing infront of the whole time explodes and a red liquid sprays everywhere covering everyone which is quite dramatic and good to watch thus may attract viewers again and again.
The rest of the video is seen though the spray of the liquid making everything red. Some of it is also in slow motion to add to the interesting and appealing qualities of the video. Shots of the singer being covered and shots of the drummer especially banging his head to the music and his hair flying around in the air splashing liquid, a common sight in rock videos and a common characteristic of people who sing this music.
The video then ends with the lead singer smashing his guitar to the floor (a typical rock and roll thing to do) and then him on his knees breathing heavily to relate back to the beginning where he was wrapping tape round his hand to prepare for action.