Analysis (Music Video) - Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Analysis of technical, visual and genre codes)

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana was produced in 1991. It correctly fits the criteria of the grunge genre, shown through the use of technical, visual and audio codes. The music video is aimed at 16-19 year old's, who  tend to be reformers, who seek enlightenment from the music and the message it contains.

There are multiple close-ups and mid shots of the lead singer, with the camera angle generally being focused directly facing the star (Kurt Cobain). This emphasizes his star image, as he is continuously seen playing his guitar which indicates his ability as a musician, also the care-free and effortless way he is represented further supports the idea he is a grunge/rock artist, which relates to the target audience who are reformers, as they take into account his rock star image. The star is pictured building up the enjoyment of the stereotypical, homogeneous teenagers who are seen 'headbanging' in the audience, which relates to the song title 'teen spirit' as it shows young males and females enjoying their youth.  However the stereotypical image that has been constructed of a teenagers, as being wild and causing trouble is shown in this video, as it draws to an end the large number of youths take to the floor staring fire's and damaging the bands equipment.

Circle - A

The music video is appeared to be shot a American High School pep rally, the camera pans from the lead singer multiple times to show high school cheerleaders. However these cheerleaders appear transgressive as on their outfits is the circle-A which long predates the anarcho-punk movement, which was part of the punk rock movement of the late 1970's. This somehow puts across the representation that the band, and the punk rock/grunge music of that time, was somewhat of a great deal to teenagers. It represents the band as influential and powerful as they influence many teenagers with their music. This in some way shows the ideology behind the music video, as it shows that the band wanted to be represented as strong and inspire youth with their rebellious nature.

The narrative is mostly performance as you are often shown images of the band playing their instruments throughout the video, however as seen there is some concept and abstract idea in the foreground. The fast paced editing of the video, emphasizes the intense and dramatic tone of the grunge music, the low key lighting and evident smoke machine also add to the hectic nature of the rock and roll stars. In the mise-en-scene nothing is completely heavily constructed and the musicians are represented as very much themselves, compared to an artist like Lady Gaga who almost creates an alter ego in music videos by dressing in strange and wonderful ways. The lead singer has the stereotypical image of a rock star  with long hair and almost 'shabby' looking clothing.