Video Analysis: Here's to Never Growing Up by Avril Lavigne

Here's to Never Growing Up

This is the first shot of the Artist shown in the video. The main focus of the shot is Avril's silhouette, which makes the shot very effective and memorable. The simplistic background of the red lockers contrast with the darkness of Avril's profile. The editing is also genius when the bass beat starts to kick in the video moves with the beat and cuts to the shot using that effect. 

In between the artist there are establishing shots, setting the scene of the theme of the music video and vague narrative. Linking to the meaning of the song about not growing up is very effective as the narrative is at the point of change young people undergo. End of American high school and are now going to get on with their young adult lives. 

We then clearly see Avril singing the song and is fitted in with the theme, by being their entertainment. We get several close up of Avril singing. Her eye makeup is dark which is one of her signature looks. It shows that she is still punky/alternative despite being dolled up. The colours are very bright and follow the party feel theme of the video. Following the theme, they film students having their prom pictures taken. The picture then becomes smaller emphasising its to go in a year book, which is traditionally done. 

Events happen during the video which signify rebellion. One in particular is the spray paint of "Here's to Never Growing Up" which is the songs title. Spray paint and graffiti are a common instrument which is linked to vandalism and rebellion. The title is also a statement, being very direct.

The artist is then in a school classroom, this is identified through the traditional classroom items such as the black board, globe and desks. She is centered putting the focus on her, when she throws the paper in her hand away it is another example of rebellion. 





The following shots show some teens mucking around. When they jump into the swimming pool it is put into slow motion. Slow motion in this shot demonstrates skill and style of their athletic actions. Slow motion is primarily used to put emphasis on athletic movements and playback. The underwater camera mixes up the shot types and the movement of the camera represents the movement of the teens it the water. It also shows an aspect of excitement with the sudden change in shot types, creating a bigger variation.   

The slow motion continues throughout the rest of the video and is very significant in the tracking shot of Avril on the skateboard and the teenagers behind her running. Mise en scene is constant throughout. Avril has continued with the punk-skaterboy theme making her representation her own.









As the song reaches the climatic end and the beat drops, confetti is released as the music fades out and ends. This creates a powerful ending which then slowly transitions to Avril in the shot I first saw her in. The end scene matches the beginning scene as a symbol of change from all the action in between. It is very effective as a ending.