camera angles in music videos
One way in which music videos display media language is through camera angles. The way camera angles are handled in music videos can tell you a lot the video's theme and the vibe it's trying to give off. For instance, in Sk8ter boi by Avril Lavigne, the camera angles are very exaggerated and shaky with very high or low angled shots when Avril is singing or fast shaky camera movements for when a group of people are running to emphasize the chaos going on. The camera also cuts very quickly, making it harder to process what just happened and helps create a messy, rebellious and messy feel just like the teenagers/young adults that are shown throughout the video. the fast cuts also add mystery. As the song goes on we are told a story about a girl and a boy who are complete opposites of each other. Near the start of the video we only get one shot of what these two look like so most of it was left up to your imagination. On the other hand the camera angles in Teenage dirtbag are a lot less chaotic and crazy compared to Sk8ter boi. This is because the setting and story of Teenage dirtbag is a lot more simple and common with the American high school setting. Unlike the rebellious streets and alleyways, the school setting implies rules and a more organised manner, hence the more simple and straight camera angles. The camera angles Sk8ter boi just wouldn't work in a high school setting especially since the story and characters within it are seen more often and with slower pace to them, e.g. the shot of the jocks walking down the hallway feels more slowed down to emphasize their intimidating nature. The slower motion also helps the audience catch up and understand what's going on. Overall the two music videos have very different kinds of camera work but both work equally work well in helping with the story and setting.
