Research : Music Video Analysis 6 (Twenty One Pilots - Heathens)

An establishing shot shows a very vast desolate area, this may suggest a desolate area. The colours used in this establishing shot are black and grey as this connotes to evil and mystery which foreshadows the events in this music video.

This painted mural symbolizes the prisoners as killers therefore suggesting this music video could be quite sinister. The colours on the mural are very dark and black which represents villainous. 

Verisimilitude is created as the prisoner wears orange, this typical for prisoners in America, therefore aiding in the realness of the music video. The background of the music video is very dull and black, this is so the prisoner stands out significantly due to the colour of his uniform. A medium close up is used to show the expression on the prisoners face as well as the security behind him. In addition, this follows Goodwins conventions as series of close ups are used throughout to establish a motif of the band.  

Goodwins theory is adhered to as intertextuality is used a significant amount within this music video as this is used for promotional purposes, as this is an upcoming movie called Suicide Squad. There are various shots used showing the movie content, this is therefore like a trailer to the film. The only light used in this shot is above the prisoner (Harlequin) this is to act as a spotlight so attention is always on her.

This music video is heavily performance based as the band want to show them as well as shots from the film Suicide Squad.

Will Smith (Dead Shot) is an actor in the film, by promoting this film the band can attract various audiences as he targets many ages from his previous films. Dead Shot is right of frame to show how empty his cell is. Natural lighting is used to reveal his face, this lighting comes from a window he looks at.

Propps theory is applied here as he suggests characters fit into specific roles to create a narrative. Here the artist is see playing a prisoner when he isn’t in real life, this also links to Dyer’s theory of ‘a star is an image’.

Verisimilitude and mise-en-scene is created through the use of lamps and computer monitors this shows that the prisoners are always being watched, a like real prisons. 

Natural lighting is used in this close up shot to light the prisoners face, as this reveals his tattoos which resembles the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). In addition this suggests that he wants to be perceived as frightening. A point of view (POV) is used to how us what he sees in the mirror and to also show the audience his tattoos. Furthermore, a pull focus is used here to draw the viewers attention to his reflection in the mirror. The colour gold connotes magic, this is used as the prisoner himself has powers of creating fire.

A close up of Harlequins expression is used, this is quite seductive as she makes eye contact with the guard, this links with Mulvey's theory of the 'male gaze'. Pull focus is applied here to draw the attention onto her. 

A long shot is used to show performance. Artificial lighting is used to highlight the performer and attract the audiences attention there.

Goodwins conventions of music and visuals having a relationship are adhered as in both of these shots the person uses their prop as a gun, The music will mimic the sounding of a gun loading, it will then make the sound of a gun firing, the people do the action of a gun being fired with their prop. This links to the narrative as the people are in prison for a crime, which is related to the use of guns. Furthermore, this links to the use of guns from the shots for Suicide Squad.  

This long shot is used to show the mass amount of prisoners surrounding the band. The drummer is dressed in black which has a connotation of evil, however Stauss's binary opposition is opposed as he is not the evil one, the prisoners are.

A series of shots which show action and fighting in the film is used in the clip to show how violent the prisoners can be. Furthermore, this gives the audiences a look into the film and what it features.

Strauss's binary opposition can be applied here as Harlequin wears white, this has connotations of innocence and goodness which she clearly opposes as she is in prison for a crime.

The use of guards in the music video creates mise-en-scene and verisimilitude as this creates a sense of realness within the video. 

The proxemics here represent the difference in authority as the guards are higher up,showing how they are more superior than the prisoner who is sat on the floor.

How has this research influenced my creativity and planning?

• Consider the colour my artist is dressed in for Strauss's binary opposition
• Think about when and where to use pull focus to attract the audiences attention