Blink 182 - First Date

In the music video for Blink 182's first date, a variety of editing techniques are used. Although straight cuts are the prevailing technique used, the cuts are very quick, and in time to the music, which helps the video to sustain the same feel as the song. In addition, the use of some zoom cuts also gives the video a futuristic feel.

The clothing worn by the actors in the video gives it a 1980's/1990's feel. This is also represented by other Mise-en-Scene elements, including the garage where the first section of the video is filmed, and the vehicles shown in some sections of the film. The use of these techniques helps the audience to identify the time period, which may give some people something to relate to when they are watching the video.

The music video for Blink 182's First Date includes over 120 different shots, and a variety of shot angles, including long, mid, close-up and extreme close-up shots. The use of these shots represent many different connotations and meanings throughout the video.

The first shot of the video is taken from a low angle position, and seems to be set in a garage. This gives the impression that the video is an amateur production, making it seem like a group of youngsters who are filming the video on a low budget, and have had to prop their camera up on the floor to shoot their video. This is added to by the fact that we can see the members setting up their instruments, as though they have left the camera rolling whilst they prepare, and have not edited this afterwards. This perhaps links to the bands past, and represents many other bands who may be in a similar situation.



The above shot still uses a low angle, but is a mid shot, focusing on the band members. This again links to the amateur feel of this part of the video, as more established artists may attempt this sort of shot.

The use of the Mid-shot above helps the audience to get a sense of location. In addition, the over-the-shoulder shot shows that someone are watching the two characters in the centre of the shot. Furthermore, the filter used on the shots gives the video a slightly retro feel, linking back to the 1980's/1990's, when cars such as the one in the background were perhaps more common.

The use of a long shot when filming the motorhome also helps to give a sense of location, showing that they are out in the open. This helps to link to the lyrics, and the reference to hoping that the evening will last forever.

Finally, the use of an extreme close-up shot shows the pain that the character is in. This links to the heavy metal genre, and the use of the scraping/screaming sounds that the genre usually adopts. As the diegetic sound can be heard over the song at this point, many people who enjoy this genre of music will like this scene.