MISE EN SCENE IN MY MUSIC VIDEO

MILLICENT SHARRATT

ATTRACTING MY TARGET AUDIENCE USING MISE EN SCENE // LIGHTING

I will be using mise-en-scene to attract the majority of my target audience. For my performance pieces I will be using dark backgrounds with low lighting to connote a secretive atmosphere that will entice the audience. The cynical lighting will also portray the significance of my performer/character, connoting a sense the secret identity and mystery. The lighting will also communicate with the genre of the music video, suggesting that the genre is rock rather than pop. Most pop music videos will be associated with bright coloured lighting where as rock music video are usually associated with dark low lighting when presenting performance pieces. The narrative of my music video also connects with the lighting and colour of the video. As the narrative deals with a controversial subject which is dark and a cynical nature, I will make sure to use darker tones when both during the production and post production process.

Eurythmics / Beethoven Music Video

As I have discussed in recent posts, I will be using lighting inspired by the lighting used in the music video for Eurythmic’s single Beethoven, for the performance pieces of my music video to connote the authority and superiority of my artist. The spotlight/concentrated light will present how the artist I the main focal point of the shot. The spot light and concentrated lighting will also help when presenting the story line of my music video. For example using close ups and concentrated lighting on make up products and wigs. This type of lighting also focuses the audiences attention on the main protagonist, demanding all attention. The dark areas of the shot imply a sense of mystery and ambiguity. I will be using mid- shots and close up shots of my actor to present the actors emotions and feelings, this will promote a relationship with the audience and the actor.

SATURATION AND COLOUR

The saturation and colour will contribute to the mise en scene of my music video. Creating a cynical atmosphere. I will be using low saturated and contrasts when filming my character in an office environment to connote the depressive behaviour of the main protagonist. I have taken inspiration from other music videos which present a low saturation. I feel that the low saturation of a picture can connote a sense of depression and melancholy. Artists such as Keaton Henson use this effect in their music videos as it fits with their personal style and star image. Where as other artists use this effect when it is appropriate as a part of a certain narrative. For example, Maximo Park’s music video Midnight on the hill deals with a narrative which suits a low saturation colour theme.

InspirationI have recently been inspired by the style and mise en scene of Keaton Henson’s music videos. The low saturation and colour of Keaton’s music videos connote a melancholy atmosphere both for the person of the performer and the audience. The performer Keaton Henson suffers from anxiety and depression. As a result of the performers illness, his thoughts and feelings are portrayed through out all of his music videos. I would like to apply this technique in the pot production process of my music video. As you can see the tones of Keaton’s music videos are dull and lifeless, which enables the audience to connect to Keaton’s emotions, therefore building a greater relationship between performer and audience. In his music videos there is a reoccurring style and theme. The similar mise en scene in Keaton’s music videos helps in addition to the star image of the performer. This will attract a certain type of target audienc e

Low saturation

PASTEL COLOURS

NUETRAL LIGHTING

Videos set in woodland to connote escapism and depression

MY MUSIC VIDEOI would like to apply a certain theme to my music video, similar to Keaton Henson’s style. I would like to use low saturated images to portray a sense of melancholy and depression. This will add to the mise en scene of my music video, and the star image of my artist. As my music video deals with a controversial subject, the colour and lighting will lay a large part in the post production process. However I would like to experiment with the saturation and colour of my music video. I will lower the saturation when presenting images of the husband at work and socialising with his family, however went the video shows the husband looking into cross dressing the colour of the picture will change from low to high saturation. Colours will be vibrant, high contrasting and eye catching to the audience. The change in video effect will portray to the audience the change of feelings for the character. From depressed to happy, this will also help in addition to the narrative.

COSTUME/CHARACTERS PERSONALITIES/MISE EN SCENEThe husband will be dressed in city wear and smart casual mundane clothing. This will connote the characters normal mundane life. This will add to the effect that the actor is depressed and normal. The character will also be presented in an office environment suggesting his status and occupation. I would to portray, in my music video how ‘normal’ citizens possess dark secrets. By using environments such as London City and offices, this will portray how each individual, no matter how normal they may seem, is strange in a certain way. There for it is crucial, when choosing costumes, to take into account how this will add to the mise-en-scene of the music video. As my music video is in the style of a short film, the narrative is very important. The costume of the husband will present his feelings towards his normal mundane life. The wife’s costume will again be ‘normal’, every day clothing. Similar to my target audience. The costume and image of the wife's character will add to the atmosphere of the husbands life. The wife appears normal, therefore she is just a normal aspect of the husbands life. As a result the couple will be shown in normal clothing, carrying out normal couple activities. This suggests the normality and numbness of their relationship. Their facial expressions will also contribute to the mise en scene and narrative of the music video. The husband will present numb facial expressions/depressed attitude towards his work/wife/family/life. I will be using close up shots of the husband to present his sad expression. The facial expression will help to contribute towards the narrative.