The Ultimate 'it' Factor

Foo Fighters - 'The Pretender' (2007)
directed by Sam Brown

Foo Fighters have always been known for their inventive and memorable music videos. They are the kind of band that relish in pushing the old boundaries and having fun while doing it.

'The Pretender' is another example of the Foo's ability push it even further and with exacting success. There are a few key points in this film clip which I think are worth discussing further.

Angles

Determining how a music video is shot is just as important as remembering to get a crew to work on it. This clip focuses on fast movement at both high and low angles. Filming a clip like this can express several things: point of view, status and space, which leads me to the next point...

Use of Space

Just like Blind Melon's 'No Rain' clip, 'The Pretender' makes excellent use of the minimal set and the vastness of the location. The first shots of Dave from behind singing and staring into the black nothingness is very powerful, it creates a bit of tension, a bit of unknowing - that in and of itself can keep an audience glued to the screen. It is expertly executed here.

Use of Colour

Black, white and red is a very popular colour combination found pretty much everywhere these days, particularly in fashion. The minimalistic use of the colour in the beginning to the explosive ending is well, nicely done. Throughout the video, the red colour draws you to it, whether subconsciously or not, you know it's got some part to play in the clip other than for just the contrast. With a band like the Foo Fighters I've learned to expect the unexpected and more times than not they manage to provide that. Colour used with some thought, can often be incredibly effective. It is something that can easily be achieved on a minimal budget and have outstanding results.

Build Up

As I mentioned before, the black space that Dave looks into creates a tension that progresses throughout the entirety of the clip. When you see Dave wrapping his hand with the bandage and stepping up to the mic, you know he means business. The fact that you have the opposing colours of the vibrant red and the ominous black, forces once again an unknowing tension that hooks you in. The Foo Fighters performance as a whole is top-notch as they are as a band. The anger in Dave's face, the close-ups of the riot police's batons, helmets and boots really emphaises that a fight is on the way and the Foo are not going to stand down.

Similarly when you see the wide shot of the one riot officer, then out of the shadows comes 20+ more you find yourself moving to the edge of your seat in anticipation of what's going to happen. Brilliant.

I do think that this is one of the music videos that in the past 5 or so years that has been able to tick every box and get it so right. How great would it see more clips like this, by artists that actually have the talent, as a band, to pull it off as well as the Foo? I for one would love it!