Textual Analysis: Arctic Monkeys - "Brianstorm"

This video qualifies as a 'performance video' - it documents the band playing the song surrounded by exotic dancers and fast flashing lights. The video was directed by Huse Monfaradi in 2007.

Camera
The camera uses a series of fast paced cuts that keep in time to the frenetic speed of the music . The video opens with a long shot, which includes all members of the band within the camera frame, although they are silhouettes which creates ambiguity - the environment they are in is also obscured. A POV shot is used from the drummers perspective during the opening scenes, to emphasize the importance of the beat, as the song is played at an incredibly fast pace. There are also some over-the-shoulder shots used that are angled behind the drummer, presumably to allow the camera to see the rest of the band in front of the drummer and render the audience with a sense of involvement. Two shots are often use to include more than one member of the band and connote that they are an important unit. Frontman Alex Turner is often represented through a low angle shot which gives connotations of superiority.

Mise en Scene
The band all wear relatively dark clothing with navy and black being the primary colours worn by the band, this connotes that the song bears a dark and mischievous meaning. The band, although most noticably frontman Alex Turner, sport retro 'mod' attire such as Chelsea boots and Harrington jackets with skinny jeans. This sense of fashion gives the band an identity that their fans are familiar with and can relate to, giving them a sense of identity too which allows them to empathise. The band often sport retro 1960's clothing to come across as 'indie', this style of fashion encapsulates their sound and makes them recognisable.

Sound
The soundtrack features the original product written by the Arctic Monkeys, with no additional sound effects to supplement the music video. The music is perfectly in sync with the visuals.


Editing
The video features an array of intercuts which include exotic female dancers performing in front of a computerized display. There is also an array of intercuts which show a man, whom the audience postulate is the song's protagonist, in a rather lavish jacuzzi interacting with attractive women. To further accentuate the speed of the song, a series of whip-pans are used throughout the middle of the song to disorientate the audience. The whip pan spreads between the dancers, who are made more visible by the computerised display behind them. The director has also chosen not to adhere to the 180 degree rule - it has been documented that the omission of the 180 degree rule often results in the audience being disorientated. The video manifests a clear lack of continuity, however, this is all relevant as the song is played at a fast frenetic pace and the director has recognised this and feels that this lack of continuity could actually work well.