Who made it?
Sophie and Lucy in R Block
Why is it excellent?
This is an excellent example of the level of freedom that you have in the music video project. By selecting a punk track, the directors have chosen to adhere to the ideologies of the punk genre. In order to encode a trashy punk sensibility, the directors have paid special attention to performance, having the actors laughing, and glaring at the camera. This style of performance would definitely not go down well in a pop video, but it works really well in a punk context. The punk credibility of the performers is further emphasised with costume, make-up and other aspects of mise-en-scene such as piercings, a signifier of punk authenticity.
The opening establishing shot of a scuzzy playground instantly suggests that the video is going to be rough and ready: just like its source material. The directors have clearly paid a lot of attention to setting, making sure to find the perfect location through location scouting. The other settings, a videogame arcade and a pub, also contribute to the edgy atmosphere of the video. Both of these locations have lots of artificial lighting, which the directors used to great effect in one of the arcade cabinets.
The cinematography is generally handheld, almost documentary style, which contributes to punk's 'don't care' ideology. The use of mid shots of the two actors in front of a brick wall connotes not only their importance as performers and potential celebrities, but also conflates the setting with the performers in a subtle and excellent way.
Finally, the video is great fun, and captures the ramshackle nature of the song. Again, if this was pretty much any other genre, it wouldn't be nearly as successful, but in the context of the punk genre, it works very well indeed.
Watch the video on Youtube!
