Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit Analysis

Camera, Editing, Mise-En-Scene
For the first shoot of the music video it shows a audience members foot tapping to the beat of the music. The camera is close up to the foot so the viewer can clearly see the foot emphasising the beat of the music getting the viewer into the music. The camera then pans out to look at the main stage showing all of the audience looking at the main performance. The music video is based around a live performance with people going to see the band. All of the audience look like stereotypical fans of the rock genre of music making the viewer realise the type of music that this is going to be. The camera movement (panning across the set) shows the viewer the whole scene and setting. The movement suggests that the music is about to get more intense. Whereas if the clips were shot in a static position with extra cuts between shots, can create a whole different idea. Also as this is the start of the song, the tempo and beat is much slower and quieter so the visuals should match this. Having long slow camera movements and a limited amount of cuts at the start of the video suggests matches with the music therefore the video is synced.

The video then cuts to a shot of the drummer as the music starts to increase in loudness and pace. There is alot of smoke around the drummer and the set which emphasises the fact that the music is getting louder. The backdrop behind the set is quite messy and rock themed, which therefore connotes the type of music being played. Also the drawings and graffiti on the wall behind are themed to the rock genre adding to the set. The camera is always moving, either panning across the screen, or zooming out. This can symbolise the type of music therefore relating to genre conventions. The colour of the whole shot is very orange which symbolises enthusiasm and determination which are appropriate for type of music. The colour is not as aggressive as red therefore showing that it is not as aggressive as other songs in this genre.

Throughout the music video, it keeps cutting between a narrative and lip synced visuals. This shot shows part of the narrative of the music video. This person keeps getting referred to throughout the music video which obviously the director wants us to take note of. As he is holding unusual objects it makes us question what is he actually doing. The person in this shot is quite old therefore makes us wonder why he is swaying side to side with unusual objects. In the background it looks quite messy and dark. There is a creased dark cloth behind the subject which signifies not only his character but the whole genre of the song in general. In the bottom corner you can see smoldering flames, These are also orange applying to the colour theme, and fire connotes similar meanings to the colour orange which also applies to these genre conventions.

In this shot the smoke covering the frame and limiting the viewers vision of the band makes gives it a certain feel. This implies that there is lots going on and helps to create dramatic effect. Due to the smoke being a warm colour, can connote the genre of the music. Due to it being an orange colour can signify the intensity of the music at this moment of time in the song. As the song is in it main stage after the build up (usually calmer) helps to sync the visuals with the audio relating to the time in the song. This is typically common in most music videos, but in a rock genre, making the build up much calmer through visuals, helps to sync with the music and make it relate to the genre of music.

Also due to main lead guitarist being close to the camera (CU) with the band in the background makes the viewer look at the lead guitarist. Due to the shot containing lots of smoke in front of the lead guitarist makes the shot distorted which symbolises the fact that they there is a lot going on and keeps them hidden from the camera. It is quite typical of rock music video conventions for them to either not look into the camera or be covered by something in this case smoke.

The way the lead guitarist is dressed also connotes and symbolises the genre of music and also his personality. Due to him having longer messy hair suggests to the audience what type of music he is into and would likely play. This is due to stereotyping and typical conventions of rock artists. The emotions from the music also are relatable with what he is wearing meaning the audience knows for sure what type of music this is.

In this shot it shows cheerleaders dancing to the music. They are backlit creating a silhouette of them. They are dressed in a dark orange as well to fit with the colour theme of the whole music video which then connote the same things.

There is also smoke around the subjects making the whole scene more busy connoting and signifying the genre of music which is appropriate for the video. This smoke again is synced with the music therefore there being more smoke when the music is louder and further into the song.

Representations

Due to the video being mainly performance of the song means the representation between the music and visuals are usually strong, due to the camerawork, editing and mine-en-scene. These all affect the representation of the video and tell the viewer what is going on, without having to hear the music. The visuals are linked to the music and genre due the clothing, setting and colour of the set and performers. Instruments have a heavy representation of the genre being a clear convention of rock. As the set is covered in smoke throughout the video, links and represents the tempo and beat of the music. The lead guitarist is dressed appropriately for the genre of music. His hair and clothing represent his personality and therefore people can use stereotypes to assume the type of music he would play/listen to.