Textual Analysis - Thnks Fr Th Mmrs (Fall Out Boy)

I decided to conduct research on Fall Out Boy's 'Thnks Fr Th Mmrs' as this band is a similar genre (emocore) to Jimmy Eat World. The two bands share several similarities, namely their lineup (4 male members), target audience (14-20 year olds), and the ideas they play around with through their songs.

The video on the surface is a romcom/emo style video about Fall Out Boy trying to film the video itself, directed and filmed by a crew of chimpanzees. The video starts in a dark hall, and when the band start playing they are stopped by the 'director' chimpanzee. The video progresses through various humorous scenarios involving the chimpanzees, and also a scene in which the bassist, Pete Wentz, kisses Kim Kardashian.

Through different cinematographic techniques, the video achieves various enhanced effects:

Camerawork: In the intro, the camera is on tracks to get smooth shots panning forward, to enhance the elegant feel of this scene. The lighting in this section is also dark with light only focusing on the band members (which adds to the emo style), and the main light comes on when the chimpanzee shouts 'cut' to intensify the comedic anti-climax. The shots are also smooth rising and panning shots at the end, apart from when Pete loses his temper with the chimpanzees and starts smashing the equipment, at which stage the camerawork is very jerky to intensify the chaotic feel.

Mise-En-Scene: Throughout the video, the band members are dressed in suits, due to the elegant feel that the chimpanzees are aiming for with their filming. They also wear these 'offset' in the video. Props and scenery include the chimpanzee offset buffet (consisting mostly of bananas) to add to the comedy, and also the big 'FOB' letters on stage at the end which add to the show-like feel of the video.

This video works effectively for it's romcom purpose, and is also relevant to the target audience. It does this by adopting the sort of humour which teenagers generally find funny, as well as playing on the public's views of Pete Wentz.

Though the video is fit for it's purpose, the only elements that I would want to carry from it are the stylistic effects, namely the 'emo' feel aswell as the elegant cinematography and mise-en-scene adopted in the opening scene.