Like many songs from the rock-pop/pop punk genre the song talks about the changes in people which cause the break down of relationships. In this song the lead singer a.k.a Hayley Williams (played by the ginger girl in this video) sings about the changes in her relationship and how she doesn't like the changes in her partner but because she loves him, she doesn't know what to do.
The first shot we see in this video is of a couple arguing (who we later discover is the lead singer/girlfriend figure and her boyfriend- with good times, come bad times which then goes in to a flash sequence of what appear to be a flashback of happy times, memories which then finishes with the couple arguing again. In my opinion, I think this sequence works effectively as it portrays a feeling of emotion often expressed within the rock-pop/pop punk genre and by starting and ending the sequence with argument shots the viewer gains a sense of a realistic outlook on relationships - with good times, come bad times. The creators of this video have identified that establishment of the artist and narrative is key from the very beginning of any music video, as the aim of a music video is to promote the artist. By beginning with the flash sequence the viewer establishes that the video is going to be based on the troubled relationship of the artist/girlfriend figure and her boyfriend.
After the "main characters" have been introduced we then see the introduction of the other band members. Firstly, a guitarist who I believe is presented as the lead guitarist due to the mid-shot used which suggests the musicians importance in the band, as the other band members are not introduced fully until later on in the production. This is a convention I believe is commonly used in rock-pop videos as the lead guitarists role is key in providing a main musical structure to a song from this genre and guitars are instruments strongly associated with the rock-pop/pop punk genre.
This mid-shot is then followed by a close-up of another guitar which is then followed by a split screen sequence of four screens introducing all four other band members. I think this way of introducing band members is rather alternative and creative in its form which I believe relates to the rock-pop genre as the band members are introduced via the instruments they play, i.e. the music and not by their appearance i.e. their faces.
The first split screen image is introduced when the guitar sequence/beat changes which puts greater emphasis on the shot and the instruments/guitars which are all introduced first which I believe highlights the importance of guitars within the rock-pop/pop punk genre. However, drums are just as important within the genre and therefore the drummer is introduced when the drum beat kicks in and the split screen sequence changes again when the drum symbol is heard and then changes once more before the drum beat becomes harder at 0:33 making way for an introductory wide-shot of the whole band, standing around, playing their instruments before the lyrics start which I think is a typical shot set up for the rock-pop genre. This whole band shot is edited within shots of a low angle shot of the first guitarist seen earlier in the video which implies a sense of dominance and I believe conforms in the viewers mind that this guitarist is the lead guitarist.
At 0:43 the flash sequence begins again. In my opinion, in this sequence there is a greater emphasis on sadness within the relationship due to the movement effect/transition which repeats shots of the artist/girlfriend figure almost crying out for help, this reinforces the idea of the rock-pop/pop punk genre being a genre that is expressive emotionally. The sequence ends at 0:48 with the artist/girlfriend figure pushing the boyfriend figure over and he lands as the artist starts to sing which I think is effective as it almost creates an impact point and puts emphasis and focus on the singer as she starts to sing making way for the first shot of her (the lead singer) on her own. The shot is quite a low angle shot which puts emphasis on the microphone/microphone stand creating awareness of the outside location. Although outside locations are not typical of the rock-pop/pop punk as locations are usually inside I believe the choice of this outside location and the composition of the shot has worked effectively as the bright blue sky draws the eye and creates a simple, clear back drop resulting in no distractions taking away focus. However, one thing I do dislike about this shot is the use of sunglasses, I can understand why the student has decided on this aspect of misemise-en-scene do fit rock-pop conventions e.g. the stripey top, dark/black clothing, choosing actors with long hair to fit the grunge, rock-pop look.
At 0:58 the drum beat is used again to focus the viewer on the shot of the whole band again which is introduced by a cut/split transition which is followed by two guitar shots using the same effect. These shots reinforce to the viewer the importance of instruments within the rock-pop genre and in fact any genre in order to create a rhythmic structure/beat.
Another argument scene between the partners is seen at 1:13. I believe these shots are effective as the boyfriend`s reaction expresses his frustration and emotion towards what is being said and the shots seem to gain a focus due to this reaction and the shots used before and after it - the lead singer/girlfriend figure arguing with him, and then as he walks away she sings "but I don`t know what I want" creating association between image and lyric a convention often used within the rock-pop/pop punk genre but I believe this shot also conveys the idea of her saying what she couldn't`t say while he was stood there due to the expressive, emotional facial expression captured which also relates back to the rock-pop genre as this genre is usually very expressive.
The student then comes back to a shot of the whole band again but uses two angles to present the band differently than seen before. I believe the decision to do this is a good one as it gives more attention to the other bands members than the attention being constantly on the lead singer. The first angle presents the two guitarists we saw first of all, who we see most of. I like the composition of this shot as the two guitarists are standing in a similar position which suggests a sense of union between the two while the other band members can still be seen in the background suggesting a sense of consideration for the whole band but due to the angle of the shot the guitarists take the main focus. The second angle shown gives an almost profile view of the band. Although the angle is good as it creates focus due to the light coming in to shot which results in the performance location being revealed, a garage which I think is a good choice of location in relation to the rock-pop/pop punk genre as it implies a feeling of escape, somewhere to be rebellious, I think the students should have been more careful about where they placed the third guitarist as she blocks the site of the drummer. It may have been due to confidence issues or that is how it appears but in my opinion the guitarist should have revealed her face more as her face is rarely seen, she either has her back to the camera or she has her head down. However, some may argue that this adds to the rock-pop feel of the video as these traits present an emotional person often seen within this genre.
The third piece of narrative shows the lead singer/girlfriend figure and her friend who are interrupted by the boyfriend figure and they start to argue. In my opinion, I think this piece of narrative effectively implies to the viewer how a relationship and the troubles caused can sometimes affect other aspects of your life although I do think the narrative with just the couple is more effective as the focus remains on them and does not go off towards other people placed in the narrative.
Throughout the video the student ensures that when the beat changes the pace of editing and the shots used emphasises/reflects this change in the song. For example, at 2:29 the drums are reintroduced, and the beat of the drums and guitars become more intense, therefore the student uses a shot of the drummer and repeats the mid-shot of the lead guitarist seen at the beginning of the production. Awareness of the visuals matching the audio (a convention commonly used in the rock-pop/pop punk genre) can also be seen at 2:47 when the song/beat slows down and the vocals are focused on which results in several shots of the lead singer being presented and a close up of one of the guitars to relate to the light guitar rhythm being played. The song starts to become more upbeat, dramatic towards the end and as a result at 3:17 the drum beat/drummer helps to introduce the band "rocking out", jumping around suggesting a sense of rebellion associated with the rock-pop genre.
When the song comes to an abrupt end we see the couple walk away from each other and the band walk off set. I think this is effective as in some music videos the ending can drag out a bit but by ending the video suddenly it almost shock the viewer and regains their focus. Also, by ending in this way the student has taken in to consideration the dramatisation, "make a statement" attitude in the rock-pop/pop punk genre and has connected the narrative and performance elements together which almost gives a feeling of the two aspects coming together to confirm an ending and the band walking off at the end of the production is typical of the rock-pop genre, almost giving the viewer a "behind the scenes" view of the production.
Overall, I think this student has created a successful video as they have identified the key aspects to a rock-pop/pop punk i.e. using shots which emphasise the song e.g. the drums/drummer being introduced at heavy beat/impact points, highlighting the use of electric guitars etc. The structure of the production is effective as the student has got the correct balance between narrative and performance and which I think is due to the choice of three main locations (garage, microphone outside and narrative outside) which makes the video clear simple to the viewer and the repetition of some shots is successful in reminding the viewer of aspects which they may have forgotten otherwise. However, I do think that the person who played the lead singer should have had more confidence when she was lip-syncing/singing as this lack of confidence does show at times which affects the lip-syncing but otherwise a successful, effective music video which meets the conventions of the rock-pop genre and it`s target market.
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