Textual Analysis Of All American Rejects Music Video : Gives You Hell

The music video for All American Rejects 'Gives You Hell' is typically a performance and narrative based piece which is typically amplifying; as the lyrics often match the movements and gestures of the video for example ' I wake up every evening' is accompanied by the shot of him waking up as the neighbours go to sleep illustrating the lyrics with the camera shots.

The mise-en scene is very light and airy painting the image of a perfect neighbourhood as a setting although uses the redundant feature of a house you'd expect to see in the neighbourhood and the bands house which is an entropic feature as the house is painted in bright colour amplifying the song title 'gives you hell' as they are painted as the neighbours from hell. This is empathised throughout the video as the body language and over exaggerated facial expressions are redundant to the type of person you would expect in the neighbourhood however the band is seen in contrast with very relaxed expressions. Props within the house also add to the contrast between the neighbours as the scene is messy within the bands house and tidy and clean within the neighbours. It also uses props such as mobile phones and beers as product placement and to advice the brands.

The costume within the video is very smart for the neighbours whereas the bands dress is very casual which emphases the difference between the neighbours although there clothing smart in the performance shots and often dark as you expect to find in this alternative genre of music. They also use instruments within the performance based footage and synchronous singing which is also expected within this genre.

The camera shots within the image are rather simple using a establishing shot of the neighbourhood to set the narrative. The shots are mail close ups and mid shots focusing on the narrative however the preformance based footage is shot at a high angle with the band looking up at the camera. It mainly contains closeups of the lead singer  establishing a band identity and advertising the band. The video also has clever composition using a frame within a frame with a over the shoulder shot of the neighbour looking into a mirror. There is also a lot of camera movement within the video suggesting a high budget production with panning open at the beginning of the clip from one house to the next as well as following the band members. They also use tilt movement to go up and down the body of the women neighbour which suggests some voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

The editing within the video consists mainly of straight cuts which make the video run smoothly and give the high budget look. However there are a lot of jump cuts within the performance footage and when the music speeds up typically within the chorus so that the footage syncronises with the beat.  There is also a lot of shot reverse shot used within the music video especially between the neighbours during arguments. There is also eyeliner match used when the neighbouring couple are a game and we follow the mans gaze to see the band outside.

Overal the music video compliments the music and is a high budget production judging on the clean editing and camera movement which makes the video look  more effective and appealing to the target audience of 16 - 21.