MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTORS

By Geeta Gohil

ANTHONY MANDLER Anthony Mandler is an American film, music, television director and photographer.

As a music director his most notable and frequent collaborator is Rihanna.

The two have worked on sixteen music videos together throughout her career, beginning with Unfaithful in 2006 and most recently Diamonds in 2012.

He has also written and directed music videos for many other prominent artists including big stars like; Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Eminem, Usher, Shakira, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Nicki Minaj, Cheryl Cole, Mary J Blige, fun. and Lana Del Rey.

The videos he directs have one thing in common and that is the there is an element of performance of the artist and an element of narrative. With artists like Rihanna, Beyonce and Selena Gomez a lot of different coloured filters are used in which emphasises the scene, e.g. In the video ‘Only Girl In The World’ – a warm, pink filter is used to emphasis the song of ‘only girl’.

Geeta Gohil

The video immediately starts with a scene of diamonds which was expected due to the song title called ‘Diamonds’. The whole music video is shot in Black and White, a good inspiration as I want to do something similar. A tilt is used showing the diamonds being touched, probably by Rihanna. With only the scene lasting 3 seconds, another shot of diamonds are shown however this time it’s a close up.

A wide range of different scenes are then showed which only last for 1-2 seconds. Quick editing is used in order to build an effect of something serious. The Fire scene connotes something dangerous happening, a low angle hand held shot of a road to emphasis of running away, and then a close up of diamonds being rolled in a manner suggestive of making a joint are intercut – a scene reminiscent of the single's artwork.. This is portraying the diamonds being used in a negative and unhealthy way, rather than considering it as a luxury.

A wide range of shots from close ups to mid-shots are used of the performer. The light used in the background only focuses on her. The black and white filter/effect gives the video more of a vintage feel or gives a sense of emotion. The camera zooms into the artist while she is singing the song and making eye contactwith the camera.

CAMERA SHOTS

Geeta Gohil ANALYSIS OF A MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY ANTHONY MANDLERRIHANNA - DIAMONDS

CAMERA SHOTS (CONTINUED)The close up of Rihanna is shown again while she is singing. This time there is

some sort of shadow on her face as the lights are positioned on her face. The shadow looks like a fence or some sort of caged window, portraying she stuck inside this dark room. There is a jump cut to two hand held onto each other while the lyrics over the scene is ‘You and I’, therefore portraying the relationship Rihanna is having and, gradually throughout the video, the hands are let go of each other. Another shot is a low angle slanted shot used on Rihanna, portraying her dominance when she is performing, while the light are flashing in the background. A zoom in is used (on the 5th picture), Rihanna looks up with her hands together while singing ‘You’re a shooting star I see’ hence the body language. The shadow of a fence or some sort of window is shown again but this time very clearly, maybe illustrating that her confidence grows which is represented through the lighting. The Slow motion shots of the two hands separately slowly and at the end eventually they are let go.

Geeta Gohil

Rihanna is shown again on the highway, running away from what appears to be the headlights of a chasing car this is through hand-held camera shot.

MISE-EN-SCENEA reverse shot of flowers in a vase is being dropping. The flowers represent love, romance and happiness however if the objects are falling and vases are breaking it could may mean something negative. Another scene is consisted of shattered glass being shown to the audience, shattered glass signifies There is also many outfit changes throughout the videos, from a black corset to jumpers, to outdoor cardigans and shorts with simple makeup.

Reverse of objects going back together –Glass shattered going back to normal.There is also a scene of a rose burning in flames, which signifies something about Love and how it has been destroyed.

Geeta Gohil

MISE-EN-SCENEObjects around Rihanna are going back to it’s position. Reverse editing has been used to give emphasis on the situation that everything is sorted. While the objects are going back to it’s place, Rihanna’s body language proves that she is upset about something. The next scene moves onto the two hands which eventually are let go, probably linking into the mixed emotions Rihanna is portraying through her body language.

Location is changed halfway through the music video, the outside signifies that Rihanna needs to move with the situation and get out of the dark room.

There is a black horse running free while there Is another black horse on the floor. There is a low angle shot of the horse stepping on it’s hooves and standing up signifying the freedom.

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EDITINGEditing is used to reverse a shot. The shot of the fabric/curtains reverses into their original place, signifying that probably the situation is going back to normal.

A lot of quick cuts are used in order to show the tension in the music video. A lot of editing also includes green screen effect to get the aurora lights halfway through the music video.

There is also an effect of fire used to portray the bouquet of roses being burnt.

Geeta Gohil