Textual Analysis: Heathens – Twenty One Pilots

Watch Here: Heathens - Twenty One Pilots

CameraworkThe opening to the video has some longer wide angles shots. These are used as establishing shots to show us where the video is set. Several different angles are employed in the video. There are a lot of close-up shots in the latter parts of the video, tracking shots are often used as the character is moving around. When the performance part of the video starts wide-angle shots are predominantly used to show the performers and the audience. Panning shots are used a lot during the performance segment. The same shot is often shown from different angles in this video. E.g. Walking down the corridor.

Camerawork - ExamplesThe same shot is shown from two different angles.

SoundThe sound of this music video is mainly shown as Diegetic (On Screen). The main character sings in time with the music for the majority of the video and whenever the drummer is shown he is in time with the music. Of course, in reality, the sound is completely non-diegetic (Off Screen) as the music is put over the film. However, to establish the performance theme of this video they needed to have the main character in this, mainly, narrative video, lip sync. So overall, the sound is put together very well in this video.

Sound - ExamplesSound is shown as Diegetic but is actually non-diegetic.

Mise En SceneIn the video the main character is wearing an orange prison jump suit for the majority of the sequence. Later on the Jump-suit is removed and he has a suit on underneath it. The lighting for this video is mainly artificial. White lights are used generally. There are several instances where a yellow, glowing light is used by the drummer. The setting for this video is a fictional prison. The layout and scenery are very realistic. They nailed the theme and the feel for this video. There are many props used in this video, the main ones being the musical instruments. This gives a diegetic feel to the sound.

Mise En Scene

EditingThe editing for this video is incredibly well done. All the jump cuts are slick, the transitions are all well timed. The changes between the character and the characters from Suicide Squad all fit with the song and the feel of the video. There are some very clever transitions here, especially where the character goes from outside the cell to the inside. The editing for this shot in particular is fantastic.

Editing

InfluenceI think that, overall, this video will influence my video in a few ways. Firstly, this video is a narrative, which is what I am intending to make, thereby the storytelling aspect of this video will help me to find different ways to show it.However, this video has a performance element which I will not be using.Overall, this is a good video and one that will influence my work in the future.