Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

The genre of this music video is indie/rock, which comes under the same genre as the music video I am producing.  The shots in the video determine the type of genre, by showing footage of the band performing and including the instruments such as, guitars, drum and keyboards. The mise-en-scene in this video also includes costumes of the band itself and other people in the video. They are all dressed in a similar indie style which also represents the genre of the music and helps to target the audience and appeal to them by identification. The costuming includes clothing such as skinny jeans, t-shirts/polo shirts, which not only represents the genre but also creates a trend for people who enjoy the whole indie genre. And the video itself suggests the genre as a lifestyle, because it is in fact a way of living for the actual band. The lighting and flashing lights during the performance shots is non-ambient and fairly colourful which creates a sense of excitement and adds to the theme of rock.

This music video doesn’t particularly have a storyline; it just briefly outlines the story of the band’s tour by including footage of their selves, fans and crowds. This uses the idea of the tour to construct a narrative. Therefore, this doesn’t relate to the Todorovian theory, as there is no established difference between parts of the video, meaning the structure is not split into the equilibrium, the disequilibrium and the new equilibrium.

Part of Goodwin’s music video theory relates to Foster the people’s video. The aspect where it states that there is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals is present in this video. In the screen shot on the left, the lyrics are: “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun”. The band member who is on the far left in the shot, is creating running movements with his legs, therefore the lyrics are emphasized by the visuals. Also the word “kids” suggests the act of play and this also is portrayed throughout the video, by the shots of the band members laughing and shots of people diving into water.

The close up shots of the instruments and extreme close ups of the band’s faces help the audience to interact with the band and put themselves into their position. Also their facial expressions show emotion and excitement, which represents how passionate they are for the music they create. It helps to keep the audience engaged with the music and the video if the people on the screen are enjoying themselves. At times the camera also is quite shaky as if it is being handheld. This affect makes the video look like it has been made as an independent music video. In some ways this portrays a sense of realism because it seems more natural. Also if the footage has a homemade affect it feels more personal and helps us to connect with the band and their music.

In the video they use this shot of the band standing on a rooftop during a sunset. This creates a silhouette effect and strongly outlines the shape of their bodies. This shot could be an intertexual reference to You Me At Six’s music video ‘Jealous Minds Think Alike’ as it is very similar as it includes the pylons in the background and the trees and buildings. Both videos are also quite similar in the way they both include quick cuts between the performance shots. This helps to keep up the pace of the video and to interact with the music.

The music video is aimed at teenagers or young adults, maybe between the ages of 16-28. This age group is similar to the age of the band, which helps the audience to relate to the video and the music, as the visuals in the footage may relate to their everyday life. This also makes it easier for them to connect to the lyrics because they are able to put themselves into the band’s shoes, or even other people who appear in the video. Many young people who have similar aspirations of making music, going on your and also who enjoy indie/rock music will have expectations to see the people in the video dressed as they are, as it relates the style and theme of the genre. Also another typical music video convention would be to have a performance, which this video does include, whilst relating some of the visuals with the music and lyrics. Therefore, I think Foster the People’s video ‘Pumped up Kicks’ will live up to the target audience’s standards and expectations.