Textual Analysis: Arctic Monkeys - "When The Sun Goes Down"

Camera
The video starts with a combination of a close-up and a soft focus, blurring the background so that the subject is visibly clear. It is snowing, and the camera captures the girl (a prostitute) staring pitifully into the camera, whilst her surroundings make her look isolated. A mid shot follows this which shows her at the top of a block of flats in a deprived area, this follows the narrative of the song, which describes an area in the suburb of Sheffield which is renowned for prostitution activity. Two shots are used to represent the girl and the men who exploit her together, which informs the audience that they are the girl's clients and therefore manifesting a clear affiliation between the two parties. This ensures that the audience can comprehend the narrative. At one point, a loose frame is used to show that the girl is isolated and vulnerable. With regards to the rule of thirds, the girl is centralized the majority of the time. The use of a two shot also allows the director to manifest the difference in size between the girl and the antagonist, it allows the audience to see a clear binary opposition between the girls more diminutive figure and the man's slightly taller build. This technique has been employed to show a clear contrast. Extreme close-ups are used throughout to represent the mix of vacancy and pity in the girls expression, which causes the audience to sympathize with the girl.

Mise en Scene
The girl is sporting a parka on top of a bland grey hoodie, with less than impressive tracksuit bottoms and trainers. This attire subverts the natural stereotype of a prostitute, however, it connotes that the woman's less-than-lavish appearance is because she is struggling financially, which helps the director build meaning and help make the video as relative to the narrative in the song as possible. The song's antagonist (referred to as a 'Scummy Man') is wearing a long trench coat, which connotes that he is ostensible and has something to hide. At one point he wears a black shirt, a colour connoting evil and uncertainty, which further justifies the director's decision to use these colours in the video.

Editing
A series of standard cuts are used throughout to keep up with the pace of the music and maintain audience interest, as seen in their video "Brianstorm". Jump cuts are also used to disorientate the viewer and also convey how disorientated the character is. At times, parallel editing is used to create a sense of foreboding and an anxiety in the viewer, which causes them to become engrossed in the video as they want to see how the narrative culminates. The director has refrained from using tracking shots, as this would connote that the woman is of importance. The omission of a tracking shot suggests that the girl has been left behind by society and she walks unnoticed, which is relative and plays into the hands of the narrative.

Sound
The sound is the single "When The Sun Goes Down" by Arctic Monkeys with no added effects to adapt it to the video. There is no need for the vocals to be synced, however there is continuity that is maintained between the soundtrack and editing/camera work to keep the viewer interested.